The Bonus Library Scene

Thaddeus

I couldn’t help but follow once she strode past me, eyes focused ahead, on the hall that leads to the library. Rowandine’s quick stride and set jaw tells me she’s on a mission, and she’s getting closer to the answers she needs. 

Maybe I can provide a little nudge. In more ways than one.

I knew the ring would peak her interest after Thaliya so thoroughly wrecked her, almost too thoroughly. I just had to point her in the right direction before the true weight of what Thaliya was asking settled in. After all, what fun is the weight of a crown without all the pretty trinkets? And if Rowandine is anything like her sister, Ombretta, she’ll want all the trinkets before she even thinks about placing a crown upon her brow.

As I follow her petrichor scent through the tall wooden doors lining the vast library, the fresh rain mingling with just a hint of rose lingers long enough to point me to the back of the library. Perfect.

Not only is she headed in the right direction, but the back of the library is out of the way—just in case the song of her blood is too much. Ombretta warned me not to lay fang on her, but just a tiny nibble wouldn’t hurt anyone, would it?

Who am I kidding, it would set our whole plan in motion way before we’re ready, and no doubt that meddling Thaliya would scent me on her before I could run for the gates and escape back to Freathia. But perhaps there are other ways—ways that could satisfy without marking.

I drink in the sight of her, as she traces the spines of books while moving deeper into the shelves. She’ll find the information she needs. She’s smarter than her family gives her credit for. But why can’t she see that? I thought for sure the woman who killed her husband to save herself would stand a little taller, burn a little brighter. But the woman before me doesn’t have the confidence of someone who's seen the darkest night and walked away whole and unmaimed. 

Who am I to say she’s whole and unmaimed though? If anyone knows how deep one can bury pain, it’s me.

A disappointed sigh breaks through my thoughts as she clings a book as old as time to her chest. What I wouldn’t give to pull the book from her arms and cover her chest and delicate neck in kisses. 

The thought causes my cock to strain against my pants, and I can’t help but send a breeze to lift up her mess of curls off the very neck I’ve been dreaming of since I saw her in that ballroom. The way her soft lines and delicate, sun-kissed skin caught the dancing candles and sent me into such a frenzy I couldn’t even remember the next chord. I stumbled over myself thoroughly in that moment, just as I’m doing now.

But now, I can do something about it.

Before I can think better of it, before I can heed Om’s words about keeping my dick in my pants, I stride across the distance in the blink of an eye, lightly resting my hands on her hips. A dark laugh escapes me before I can swallow it down and she jumps back, fully in my arms now. Her back presses against my chest, and I can’t help but inhale her deeply, the scent of rain and rose petals filling my lungs and I know I need this. I need her. 

“It’s you.” Her words are almost a question, as if she still isn’t sure she trusts herself with me. She doesn’t turn around, but I can feel the way her body relaxes into mine in a way it didn’t the other evening on the settee. It’s as if she’s made a decision, allowing herself to surrender to the moment, even if it’s just for now. Enjoy this for what it is.

To keep this light, whatever this is between us, I twirl her, away, deeper into the shadows of my creation. Her smile lights up the darkness surrounding us. Her eyes study me, searching for something—an answer perhaps. 

I can be the answer. I shake the thought away. I can’t fall. Not for her. Not when I’m here on her sister’s orders.

I surrender to the light engulfing her, engulfing us. It’s contagious. 

For just a moment, I can be light too.

I take her hand, and before she can bring her warm touch to my face, I smile what I know to be my most dazzling smile, one that’s brought many a female, and to think of it, male as well, to their knees. I let my charm sink in just enough, and then I take her fingers, one at a time into my mouth. Sucking from the knuckle of her pinky finger all the way to the tip. I do the same for each finger until I get to her pointer finger, sucking it and kissing the tip, until she inhales, and I when look up, for just a glance, her eyes swirl with a mingled lust and innocence, but there’s also a curiosity I can’t ignore. Could the king’s parrot really not have bothered showing her how to feel like this? Oh, the things I would’ve done to this body if I had her to myself in our own cabin in the hills of the Pereseret Peaks. But whatever she’s feeling right now, I can tell as it makes its way straight to her warmest parts. 

I smile again, the hungry look in her eyes inviting me closer.

I can’t decide where to look but I can’t help tracing the dip along her collarbone with my thumb as my eyes meet hers and then fall to her lips. Those soft, kissable lips. They part and she wets them with her tongue. An invitation all on its own and I can’t help but oblige. 

My lips crash into hers and a groan escapes me unbidden at the warmth that envelops me as her lips meet mine, as her body presses against mine.

Something changes. An urgency settles over her, but not in desperation. 

In strength. And my cock twitches in response. This sudden confidence unlocked, dissolves any remnants of shyness. A strength that has me wanting more. Now. Of her body and of her heart. 

I pull her in closer so her weight rests against me as I walk her back into the rows upon rows of books, pinning her between my body and the stacks behind us. I watch as she comes alive. I can’t begin to satiate this hunger. She claws at my back, her fingertips switching back and forth between sharp claws and insatiable kneading. I can feel her desire to be closer, for me to be inside her.

She rubs her heat against me and my cock twitches with anticipation. Her kisses are wet and needy as I throw her arms up, pinning them against the books with one hand while the other pulls her corset down so I can finally palm her handful of supple breast. I roll it gently in my hand and then tweak her nipple so she lets out another breathy moan. 

I want to be inside her, but not yet. I’m not done with her yet. 

I drop her wrists and in the same heartbeat. I grab her by the thigh and lift her, opening her to me, driving against her for more friction. I silently curse the many layers between us. I can’t wait to feel the warmth of her bare skin against me. Will she notice the cold? Or will she be too distracted? Would she turn away if she knew I was an Ancient?  The thoughts swirl around before I can get a hold of them.

All of a sudden, her ferocious appetite wanes, she’s still kissing me, but not kissing me. I chance a glance at her but her eyes are closed and I can’t read her.

“Come back to me,” I breathe against her lips, silently begging for this moment not to be over. A dangerous thought I won’t take the time to explore. And with those four words, she snaps back, deepening our kiss before coming up for air. My relief unravels the shadows around us, just a bit, but I call them back, tightening our defense against the outside world, if just for a moment longer. 

Her kisses are so soft and breathy, so hard and urgent at the same time. I can’t get enough.

The sting of my knees hitting the marble floor only lasts a moment before I look up into those eyes. The eyes of a queen. And I’m on my knees before her so I can praise her like the queen she is, like the queen she’ll be when we get to Freathia. 

But I push the thought from my mind in anticipation of her sweet taste.

My fingers slide under her skirts as I palm my way up her smooth legs until I reach her apex. She sighs and then groans as she realizes I’m going to take my time with her. I tug at her undergarments, kissing the warmth underneath them, but not lingering. I take my time working her undergarments down each leg, kissing my way from her center down her thighs where I draw my tongue in circles around her knee before slowly kissing and biting my way to her toes. I shove the fabric into my pocket and then watch her reaction as I move closer to her warmth. Her eyes go round with anticipation as I close the distance between her center and my lips. And I can’t help but smile at the first taste of her. Sheer perfection meets my tongue as I suction my lips around her clit. My fingers trace up the inside of her thighs as I quickly find just the right spot to suck and tease.

I chance another look, and the sight above me unravels me. Her curls spill wildly past her shoulders dusting her breasts, still pushed up out of her corset, as her wrist makes a back-and-forth motion against the books as she approaches the edge. With her other hand, she pulls at her skirts, finding her rhythm and riding my face to sublime oblivion. 

She melts into the books behind her as I match her rhythm. Thrust for thrust as she rides my face. I add two fingers and she clenches around them in sweet welcome, pulling me closer, as I push her closer to orgasm. 

Her fingers absentmindedly caress my hair and tug on my twists, telling me she’s close. Right there on the edge. Just as she reaches that edge, I add another finger and she grinds against my face, searching for a satisfaction only I can give. The way she clenches around my fingers makes me want to fall apart, but I keep it together long enough to work my thumb around that perfect bundle of nerves until the feeling of her coming undone around me has me dizzy. But I hold on tight to her hip with my other hand, steadying her so she doesn’t lose balance as she comes apart over and over again against my face. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than between her legs, giving her exactly what she needs. 

Words pass her lips, but I can’t be sure they’re even words. She’s surrendering completely to her pleasure. And suddenly, I need to be inside her.

Rowandine yanks at my shoulders, pulling me up to her. I rise, noting the fallen books surrounding us, a sacrifice to the stars above for her pleasure, this stolen moment.

She’s still hungry for my kisses and a hum of satisfaction vibrates across her lips to mine as she tastes herself on my own. 

I fumble with the laces of my pants, unable to get my cock out fast enough. Her fingers meet mine in a hurried attempt to help, but footsteps fill the silence around us and the place where my heart’s supposed to beat tightens, as if that’s all the action it can muster. The shadows lift around us, to keep whomever it is at bay for just a moment longer. 

I glance down at her, hoping against hope that she doesn’t mind the audience, most likely her family members, mere bookshelves away. But her face falls, and the imperceptible shake of her head tells me our moment is over, for now.