“Master Bow sent his attendants to clean the wound.”
“And you are not in pain?” He had to be. He’d run with her on his wounded back. She assumed wolven healed faster than humans, or at least had a different pain threshold, but he wasn’t invincible.
“Some, but I meant what I said out there. This could very well be our last night together—”
“No,” she gasped. “We mustn’t speak it into existence.” Now that they were back at Broadstone Hall, she felt safe, but deep down, she knew it was all an illusion. Her mother came for her here once, and she could very well come again, this time wielding much more serious charges.
“We have no idea what the Queen’s verdict will be.” He took a deep breath. “I wasted too much time, afraid to reveal myself to you. I wish to leave this Ball with no more regrets.”
“I never signed those papers, Wesley. My mother had them forged. I never gave up on you.”
“I know that.” He brushed the pad of his paw over her lip. The leathery feel against the delicate skin made her shiver. “That is why I would very much like to claim you tonight. Like I should have done on our wedding night.”
She drew a deep breath, her body tingly with the possibility of his wish. “It feels similar, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all.” He chuckled softly. “I should have told you about the monstrum plaga sooner. For that, I apologize. I was foolish, and prideful. I thought I was too young, too strong for it to ever affect me. When I started to feel ill during our wedding celebration, I was still in denial. I thought I could beat it.”
She lowered her gaze. “But I wish you had confided in me instead of keeping this terrible secret.”
He lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “You think I am terrible?”
“I’ve had mixed emotions since your disappearance.” They had no more chances to hold back. Wesley had been correct. Countess Stalbridge had given them a gift offering sanctuary at the Hall tonight. It could be their last together. “It’s terrible that you felt such shame around the sickness that changed you. As I said, I rather like you like this. You’re strong, rumbly, and a little bit rude. There’s something about it that I find very charming. I shouldn’t like it, but I must confess, I like it a lot.”
“Come to the garden with me,” he whispered. “I want to see you naked in the sunrise.”
“Wolven,” she gasped.
“Come with me now, before I take you right here in the hallway for all to see.”
“You are wicked,” she said as they made their way down the stairs, practically taking them two at a time. She could hardly keep up with the beast.
And if this was a sign of things to come…
“I believe you just said that I was rude and you liked it.”
“You remember correctly.” Only a few couples remained on the dance floor, and there were some monsters gambling in the card room. “Rude, vulgar, and wicked, and I cannot wait to see what you plan to do to me in that garden.”
His only answer was a guttural sound, resonating in his throat, that was truly wolven.
The sun had risen, painting the sky with the most spectacular pinks, oranges, and purples.
“The garden looks so peaceful like this,” she said. The pathways were coated with a light mist that glowed in the light of the still-burning lanterns.
Wesley only had eyes for her. “Have you had a chance to enjoy the statues?”
“I have not. Master Bow brought all of the ladies on a tour of the house before I arrived.”
“I do say you are in for a treat.” He led her into the labyrinth of trees, flowering bushes, and shrubs. “It is very different from your garden at home.”
“My garden is not for show. I enjoyed growing vegetables and herbs, things that were useful, as much as I loved the things that are beautiful.”
“You will have your own garden at Bournehurst, if you choose.” He turned to her. “I can think of nothing more beautiful than you.”
“Wolven, you do not need to flatter me so, but I must say I like it.” Her cheeks flushed, and she pulled away from him playfully. As the sun rose in the sky, there was an urgency to their mission. Her time with her husband was not guaranteed.
If he was even her husband anymore. Not that it mattered. Her heart belonged to him.
“I hope to do many things you like.” He stopped in front of a statue of two figures engaged in a very scandalous activity.
As Phillipa looked closer, she realized it wasn’t two figures at all. It was three. A naked woman, seemingly floating on air, with two male partners. One with his face between her legs, and the other on her breast.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from it.
“It is just one of many, my love.” Heat rolled off his body. “I shall have you inspect them all and you can let me know what pleases you most.”
“Wolven, this is wicked.”
He grinned. “You said that was what you wanted.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say that she liked him wicked, but he was right. She did want this. She wanted to feel the ecstasy of this woman, forever immortalized in marble, as if it was her own. Her pussy pulsed in response.
“You will not have to say the words aloud, my love. I shall be able to smell your arousal.”
“Wesley.”
“Let’s enjoy all of them.” He put his hand on her back. “For you will not be able to miss my need.”
Her eyes inadvertently darted to his breeches. His cock strained against the fabric, threatening to burst through. There was no denying the size of the bulge. She swallowed hard, wondering if he could sense how much her mouth was watering as well.
They walked through the garden, taking in each statue. One more sensual than the last. “Are there any that you like, my love?”
“I like them all.” There was no way he wouldn’t be able to scent her desire. The inside of her legs were soaked with it. “Which ones do you like?”
“The first one is stunning.” His snout was against her neck, the heat of his body searing her through their clothes.
She wanted this. Her body pulsed and tingled at his very touch. She hadn’t even felt this way on her wedding night, for she hadn’t been properly prepared. Of course, she knew the basics, but it wasn’t until she’d spent time with Ainslee and the rest of the fae that she really found out what she was missing.
And she’d gotten a taste of what was to come at the Ball…
Wesley held her face in his hands as his lips moved against hers. It was much more intentional than their earlier kiss, which could easily be categorized as stolen. This was slow and deliberate.
Magical.
His wet, cold nose bumped against her skin as his tongue moved into her mouth, tangling with hers. She was so thankful that he held her, because her knees were weak, and her legs numb. And she wanted to explore him, know what his sharp teeth felt like against her tongue.
His fur against her bare skin.
His massive cock inside her.
The last thought made her shiver. Wesley rumbled against her cheek. He moved his lips down to her neck, meeting the spot where her pulse beat wildly for him.
His fingers moved to her back, and he let out a growl.
“Buttons,” she said.