Chapter 63 Chapter 62
Amaris.
He set me down on the ground, resting his head on mine as he gazed at me affectionately. And then, in a moment of pure surrender, Duke Ethan leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. It was a gentle and tender kiss, filled with the promise of a love that would withstand any obstacle. In that kiss, I felt the depth of his emotions, the intensity of his desire, and the unspoken vow to protect and cherish me.
"Thank you so much Amaris. I promise to make it worth it for everyday of my life." He groaned and I nodded, cleaning off the tears that had strayed down my cheeks. He cupped my cheeks, kissing my forehead over and over again as we tried to get our emotions under control. The mate bond between us had blossomed, and with it came a sense of completeness and belonging that I had never experienced before. I smiled to myself, glad I had made this decision to accept him back.
"What happens now? Is accepting you enough?" I asked after a moment of silence. Ethan held my face, gazing affectionately at me.
"Accepting me back is just the beginning, Amaris, it's the marking that comes afterwards that really seals the deal and then I can get my strength back." He revealed, his voice sincere but filled with an undertone of seriousness.
"Really?" I muttered and he nodded.
"Doesn't that come with some ceremony of it's kind?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yes, it does but it's not really mandatory. For now I'm just glad to have you back. But, if you would like, we can do it without the marking ceremony." He explained.
I raised a brow, gazing into his eyes. "It's possible?"
"It's more than possible, Amaris. " He reaffirmed, his low voice sending shivers down my spine.
I thought about it for a while, biting my lower lip before locking my eyes with his, taking in a shuddering breath. "T-then, I would like to be marked right now." I told him and felt him stiffen, even as his eyes flared and passion exploded between them.
"You want me to mark you here, right now?" He asked and I nodded jerkily, pressing myself against him, feeling as his grip tightened on me, a deep blush creeping up my cheeks.
He looked around for a while, working his jaw before pressing me against the nearest wall, shielded by shadows. Stuck between the cold wall and Ethan's rock-hard body, I felt my nape prickle, excitement thundering in my veins.
Ethan moved closer, pressing me harder against the wall, as he crowded my personal space, my body already ignited. I held my breath as his fingers laced through my hair, dislodging it from the style I had packed earlier, his body cleaving hard to mine before he claimed my mouth in a searing kiss. A soft gasp escaped my lips and I hurriedly closed my eyes, kissing him back.
His mouth ravaged mine, his tongue tormenting me, his lips mastering mine and disposing of any doubts, his body proximity tantalizing and insufficient as well. I wanted to feel him, to know him, to touch him, I wanted so much more than this alone. He pulled away from, gazing at me with dark eyes.
"Are you sure this is what you want?' he asked tersely, his breathing hard as he brought his lips above mine, a dangerous glint in his eyes. I nodded hastily, burying my hands into his hair as I struggled to pull him closer.
"Yes, please. Just... Just mark me already." I whispered hurriedly, on the edge of bursting. He slammed his lips against mine, expertly slipping his tongue into my mouth, tasting, exploring and most importantly, driving me wild with hunger and need. The kiss stirred every bone in my body, melting me into a puddle of ecstasy.
Ethan groaned into my mouth and pride exploded through me, because he was every bit just as lost to this as I was. He tilted his head, driving his tongue deeper into my mouth and before I knew it, I had stopped flailing to pull him closer to myself, searing desire burning away all of my fear and anxiety.
Finally leaving my mouth alone, his seductive kisses descended down my cheeks, to my earlobes before reaching my neck, grazing that sensitive spot where his marking would be. A soft moan escaped my lips when he sucked that part to the point of pain, his sharpened canines brushing against the skin.
"You smell so good... It's driving me crazy." He growled against my skin. He was about to sink his teeth into my flesh when we heard footsteps coming in our direction, causing everything to come to a standstill.
"Your highness, there has been a report on attacks ok various borders of the kingdom!" One of them shouted and Ethan froze completely, immediately dislodging from me. He hurriedly set me down to the ground, making sure to keep me from swaying before barking orders that they should deploy more soldiers.
"I have to go now." He growled into my ears, his voice back to his normal tone. I nodded, still trying to keep my simmering blood under control.
"Okay, stay safe." I muttered, my voice filled with worry.
"I will." Placing one last kiss on my lips, I watched as Ethan face grew business-like and he immediately left, his footsteps resounding in the hallways. I watched him go, my heart aching with apprehension. Letting out a sigh, I decided to go back to the arena to continue with the event that was going on since it was prophecy night.
I returned back to the celebration just in time to hear the Moon goddess pronounce princess Evelyn as the Alpha king keiran second chance mate. Shocked gasps filled the arena and so did mine.
What the..!?