FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
Tempting Enough to Taste

“You’re tempting enough to taste.” He looked down at her vivid green eyes already drooping sleepily.

“I’m not food!”

“I’d love to take a bite of you just the same.” He leaned down and playfully bit her shoulder with square teeth.

She dropped her head back giggling. “So, so…bad.” She bit her tongue flirtatiously. And dimples appeared in her cheeks as she sent him a beckoning look.

Alazar pushed open the chamber door and kicked it closed. Tossing her onto the rush mattress before peeling off his boots and throwing them to the corner. Tunic quick to follow.

“Come over here and stand woman.” He pointed before him.

If you can without falling over.

Swaying she climbed off the bed and circled around to face him. Catching her elbows, he turned her away from him and began working the laces of her corset.

No way you’d be able to get out of this thing in your current state.

“What are you doing?” She giggled behind a hand before hiccupping again.

Saving you from becoming a tangled mess pouting on the floor because you’re stuck in the corset. He knew her well enough to know that’s precisely where she’d end up.

“Move your hair.”

She complied.

He expertly plucked the laces. Her tunic fluffed as the corset released its binding grip.

“What you doing, Alazareth?”

“You know very well what I’m doing.”

“Well, but…”

“But what?”

“I fear in the state I’m in, if we lay together, I will fall asleep next to you.”

That sounds wonderful. But there’d been fear in her voice. What’s wrong. The answer hit him like a sack of rocks.

“You’re worried about Danbury replaceing you spent the night with me?” He sighed.

“Yes, in a tavern.”

“You have afore.”

What’s different now?

“Yes, but we went back in the early hours…I’m not so sure I’ll be awake in the early hours.”

You most certainly won’t be waking that well.

“No. You’ll likely need your rest.”

“But I have to get back before they know I’m gone!”

They? She’s worried about Marod too.

“Then perhaps you should’ve limited your drink.” He shook his head. Rising to push the sleeves of her tunic down and let it fall from her into a pile at her feet. Lightly pressing his lips to her neck, he trailed his hands over the path the tunic had just slid. Determined to enjoy this stolen time with her.

“Mmm.” She murmured. “That feels good.”

“I will stay awake, Ri. To make sure you’re home before Nightway wakes.” He whispered.

She faced him. Putting her forehead to his.

He caught her by the waist and flung her over him onto the coverlet.

She laughed.

Even as she landed, he was behind her and tugged her against his chest. Cradling her in his arms. Where she fits perfectly.

“You’re not going to love me?”

No!

“Not in your state!” Amusement marked his voice.

She peered over her shoulder and saw his blonde head propped in the palm of his hand, watching her. “You’re telling me no?”

Yes. You’re not getting your way tonight. I just want to be close to you. Smell you, feel our warmth, hear your heartbeat and your sleeping breaths.

“I do not wish to have you wretch on me.” He grinned. Trying to hid the sadness he knew was written over his face.

“That’s not the real reason, is it Alazar?”

No. I wanted to be close to you now. When you’re as open and warm as you are now. Her guards were down but she was somehow warmer, more pliable. More open to me.

He was taking in the moment. True to his word he let her sleep. Brushing fingertips over her face, tracing her ear until she snored deeply.

A dreadful sound that nearly rattled the walls.

He smiled softly and felt a sorrowful contentment. It can never last.

I can’t keep her.

Not even if every moment with her felt right.

Alazareth, my fine brother, is painfully tempted by the gold beauty Using every feminine wile, every beguiling smile to dither his strong will.

Always stringent in his endeavors, he can’t see what’s right before him. She’s giving up on him…

He thinks himself no proper mate for a princess. But we’re hunted. We never know what moment might be our last. We must steal what joy we can.

From the Journal of Sebastian Bodane.