Viciously Yours (Fae Kings of Eden Book 1)

Amelia held her bow behind her back. “You’re not breaking my bow.”

Rennick folded his arms across his chest with a stubborn set to his mouth. “You don’t like to hunt. I’m destroying everything Ora fooled me into buying you.”

She raised her chin defiantly. “No, you won’t. I told you I love the gifts because of their meaning. If you break my things, I won’t speak to you for the rest of the day.” It wasn’t much of a threat, but it was enough.

He released a low growl of frustration. “You’re being ridiculous. I will buy you a better version of everything to replace the old ones.”

“I don’t want a new necklace or boots or anything. I want the things I have.”

Her mate balked. “Your necklace is awful, too?”

She covered her necklace and backpedaled. “If you break my necklace, I will never forgive you.”

They were at an impasse. “I won’t destroy your things,” he conceded, “but I’m buying you new ones. Prepare to go shopping next week.”

She flashed him a triumphant smile. “I plan on wearing one of my dresses and my boots tomorrow.”

He looked horrified. “You will not get married in clothes you hate.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” she shot back, hiding a smile. Had she known he was this fun to rile up, she’d have done it sooner.

Her grave mistake was taking her eyes off him for three seconds, something she realized when he lifted her in the air and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Her bow fell to the ground, and the rest of her arrows slid out of their quiver.

“Put me down!” she laughed, screeching when he slapped her ass.

He popped her backside again. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“But I dropped my bow.” She kicked her feet lightly.

Chuckling, he lowered her to the ground, and she bent down to gather her things.

He grabbed her hips and tugged her against him. “I like you bent over like that.”

“You’re insatiable.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. The animalistic look in his eye gave her an idea.

Rotating to face him, she pushed lightly on his chest and walked backward. “Let’s make a deal.”

He rubbed his jaw while looking her up and down suggestively. “I’m listening.”

“If you can catch me, I’ll let you fuck me bent over in the snow.”

His eyes sparked, and he took a step forward, but she held out a hand. “Your legs are longer than mine, and you have fae speed. It’s only fair that I get a head start.”

His feral smile sent a thrill through her. “Run, little mate.”

Returning his smile with a taunting one of her own, she flipped around and sprinted into the woods.

Rennick watched his mate disappear through the trees, knowing he’d be deep inside her within the next few minutes. Those thoughts came to a halt when Ora approached him from behind. “There you are,” she purred.

He moved away from her, furious with himself for letting his guard down. He should have heard her coming from a mile away, but his lust-addled mind had focused solely on his mate.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, sick of her conniving ways. He held up a hand to stop her reply. It didn’t matter. “You need to leave the palace and never return. You are hereby forbidden to step foot on palace grounds.”

Her loud gasp echoed through the trees. “You don’t mean that.”

“I have never meant anything more, Ora, and if you don’t leave on your own accord, I will kill you. One way or another, you’re leaving.”

Her lip wobbled, and she advanced toward him. “Ren, it’s me. We’ve known each other most of our lives.”

“That’s the only reason I have yet to stake your head on the front gates,” he said, his voice like ice. “I can easily change my mind, and if Amelia sees you and it upsets her, I will.”

“Are you here of your own free will?” she whispered, her eyes scanning the area.

Her wording threw him off guard. “I am, and you are not welcome. Leave. This is your last warning.”

She whispered something, snapped her mouth shut, and winced. He expected her to argue, to beg him to let her stay, but she said nothing.

Her eyes widened, and she pointed behind him. He turned to assess, finding nothing. A distraction, he realized too late when she barreled into him. She crashed her lips to his and bit down hard enough to break his skin open. A metallic taste filled his mouth, and he shoved her away.

A searing pain heated his chest, and he fell to his knees. A foreign fury lit him from the inside out and mingled with his own. Amelia.

He started to stand, but Ora’s words held him in place.

“See? I told you we were mates, husband.”