Forbidden Craving: The Nymph King / The Beautiful Ashes

“Because—just because!”

They turned another corner. Valerian stiffened.

So did she. They’d entered what was clearly the dining hall...where the ceremony was set to begin.

CHAPTER SIX (#udb12d2a9-2539-576b-8fe3-d38b058f3809)

FOR YEARS, VALERIAN had imagined his perfect future. He would lead the strongest army in Atlantis. His queen would rule at his side, happy to belong to him. She would adore him. Of course she would adore him. He would treasure her. Their days would be hot, but their nights would be hotter.

Finally he’d found her—only to lose her?

What if another warrior selected her during the ceremony?

Someone would. Surely. What man could resist the fire burning beneath her cool facade, begging for release?

Rage detonated inside him. He’d said he wouldn’t choose a woman, but he regretted the vow with every fiber of his being.

He couldn’t go back on his word, but he couldn’t allow his Moon to end up with anyone else, either.

What was he going to do? Not all of his men loved him. A few would choose her simply to strike at him.

His cousin might even attempt to trade her for his crown.

He’d also vowed he would never relinquish his reign. But what good was his crown without his queen?

He wanted—nay, he needed—her. To kiss her. To know the taste of her tongue and her skin. He’d come close to kissing her in the cave. Would she have fought him...or melted for him?

Like you really have to wonder.

She would have fought him. For some reason, she wanted to get to know him before she allowed herself to enjoy him. A novel concept. One he actually...appreciated?

He’d never before cared about the reasons a woman desired him. The pheromone. His pretty face. His strength. His exalted position. Whatever! But for the first time, he wanted someone to desire him for...dare he think it?...his personality—the man he’d become.

Doubts surfaced. You kidnapped her, putting your needs above her wants. Your personality is lacking.

Pain tore through the center of his chest. Could he win her affections despite his crime?

Perhaps. But he would have to win her the same way he’d won the dragon palace. With cunning, precision and an absolute lack of mercy.

Slowly his lips lifted in a grin. Oh, yes. She would soon find herself on the receiving end of a full-scale attack.

“Take me back to the beach,” she said, tugging against his hold. Her heartbeat drummed erratically against his back, and he could feel the shallow exhalations of her breath against his skin. “Right now. I’m through playing nice. Do you hear me?”

“Everyone hears you, Moon.” He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her body to his. “The answer is no.”

Their bare stomachs pressed together, and she sucked in a breath. His muscles jumped in excited reaction.

She might deny it, but she was aware of him in a very sexual way. A wonderful start!

“You are frightened,” he said, “and I’m sorry for it.”

“Frightened? Ha! I’m so angry I could spit.”

“Spitting is a sign of your anger? Noted.”

For some reason, his response caused her to screech.

At her outburst, several of his men flinched. A few regarded her with weary reluctance.

Hope bloomed. Had he just found the answer to his dilemma?

“Whatever you do,” he said, “do not attack my men as they make their selection.”

Her head lifted, and her eyes glared amber fire at him. “You can’t stop me.”

Do not smile, he thought. Get this over with.

Anticipation thickened the air. A contingent of warriors lined one side of the room while a sweet-smelling cluster of females lined the other.

“I’m not placing myself on the menu of this—this smorgasbord.” She slammed her elbow into his stomach, almost knocking the air from his lungs.

His men watched them with varying expressions of horror. For their benefit, he said, “Be still, woman.”

“Sure. If you’ll do me a favor and die.”

The horror intensified, just as he’d hoped. If he, the most desired of nymphs, failed to entice this woman, his men were destined to fail with her, too. No one wanted to risk failure. Or even a lengthy wooing. Not while sex could be easily had with another.

Valerian forced a frown, feigning disappointment, and tapped her on the backside. Once again, she reacted as he’d hoped.

“Did you just spank me?” she bellowed. Her eyes were dark velvet, rich and warm, absolutely riveting in her pale face. “Tell me you didn’t just spank me, Valerian.”

Ah, he loved hearing his name spill from her soft, pink lips. The rest of the world faded away, as it always seemed to do when he looked at her.

“I told you I would never lie to you,” he said.

“You also told me you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Did my love tap hurt you?”

Her perfect white teeth flashed in a scowl. “Pain isn’t always physical.”

True. “Did I hurt you mentally? Emotionally?” The idea hurt him, physically, mentally and emotionally.

How many others had hurt her throughout her young life?

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I plead the fifth.”

“Fifth. Five. Is that the number of ways you hope I’ll take you?” he asked softly.