Chapter 10
Only one torch burned in the cavern when Talorc entered sometime after midnight.
The water of the pool looked like obsidian in the muted amber light. He contemplated
soaking in it before joining Abigail, but he recognized it for the stalling tactic it was and
turned from the pool to look at his wife.
She slept fitfully, having kicked off the fur that should be covering her beautiful
body. She was wearing her shift, though she had not done so since attempting to the
night of their wedding. If preserving her modesty was her goal, she had failed miserably.
The undergarment had ridden up her thighs until the pretty blond curls that covered her
mound were revealed.
Her shapely legs glowed in the soft light, beckoning him to touch. Everything about
his wife's body appealed to his senses and his wolf's nature. Instead of pouting like a little
boy deprived of his lifemate, Talorc should be grateful he at least found Abigail desirable.
He hadn't her sister.
He did not know why he had avoided the lovely blonde gracing his furs tonight.
Their situation was less her fault than his. He, at least, could have chosen to disregard his
king's desires. Again. Abigail's stepfather might have offered to refuse the marriage, but
the reality was Abigail's mother would have made her life even more a misery if the baron
had been fool enough to do it.
And Talorc would have been forced to kill him. After all, he had decided to accept
the marriage knowing the cost of doing so from the moment he sent his demands to his
king.
Besides, he wanted his wife. One of the few compensations from this ill-conceived
marriage was the fact he was free to have sex with her as frequently as they both desired.
And yet he had stupidly avoided her for a good part of the night.
It might be past midnight, but he had finally wised up.
Stripping off his plaid, he joined her on the furs, his cock already standing at
attention and his wolf clamoring for touch. Talorc reached out and traced the curve of her
soft, feminine belly with one fingertip.
Her forehead wrinkling like she was frustrated, Abigail shifted toward him in her