Page 45 of A Fate of Wings

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you look beautiful as is.”

I placed a hand on his cheek, cupping the warmth of his flesh. “Thank you, but appearances mean a great deal.” I slid my palm higher until my fingers almost touched his horns.

He snatched my hand away before I reached my prize.

“I’ll come and watch you prepare.”

I wasn’t about to argue, but the young siren stepped forward and gushed, “Oh, no, sir, we have to prepare you, too. We have a room allocated for your use and two eager handmaidens waiting to serve you.”

My insides burned with a white-hot jealous rage.

The Beast stopped breathing. His entire being paused, as though a predator had scented his prey. The tiny twitch of his nostrils was the only sign he was alive.

“No handmaidens,” he scraped out through clenched teeth.

“But—”

“No,” he growled.

She ducked backward, curtsying as she departed. “Very well.” She turned. “Follow me.”

“Go.” I untangled his arm from mine. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

“I don’t enjoy leaving you, little mate.” His brow furrowed into a deep frown.

I stretched up on tippy toes and kissed his forehead. “Your possessiveness is a little impractical.”

“You love it.” He cupped my face and lowered his lips to mine.

With one touch of his lips, my body burst into an inferno of desire. Every limb, every nerve, and beat of my heart throbbed with the painful need to have him closer still. His tongue swept inside my mouth. We dueled like enemies advancing and retreating with every blow of desire from our kiss knowing now wasn’t the time we could give into our carnal desires, but the teasing was worth it. It wasn’t torture at all, it was so pleasurable.

The young siren cleared her throat.

The Beast kept kissing me. I didn’t think to object. Thinking was not an option. He bent me backward over the desk and my heart raced for him to take me as he had last night over a desk, but he inched down my body, pressing his hard muscles against me as he dropped to his knees at my feet.

“After you, my Majesty.” He swept his arm to the door and shuffled to the side.

I stifled my laughter. Oh, he was good at pretending I was the one in control, but we both knew he could have taken me there and then with no objection from me. My control was absent in the face of the man making me feel emotions other than lust. I straightened and swept out of the room without a backward glance.

Yes, I was the queen.

I was in control.

My subjects needed to see that. Otherwise, anarchy would reign across the Autumn Court.

I swept into my bedchambers keeping my haughty air alive and vibrant. Raelin rushed out of the bathroom, a waft of steam following in her wake. She beamed at me and closed the door behind me. I almost let the mask go, but I spun around so she could untie my dress.

I sighed.

“Is everything all right, your majesty?”

I peeked over my shoulder. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You seem a little preoccupied.”

“Thinking.”

“About your handsome Beast, no doubt.” She tugged the last ribbon free.