Page 99 of Hunt Me

“Your tongue is quite devious,” she whispered, grasping a handful of his long locks. He chuckled and trailed his tongue over a peaked nipple. He gently suckled while tweaking the other between the soft pads of his fingers.

“Is this a complaint?”

“Never,” she whispered as her dress and the remainder of her undergarments hit the floor and fanned out around her ankles.

Luka continued his journey, briefly stopping to nuzzle his child with his nose. He rested an ear against the noticeable swell and listened to the second heartbeat that came from her. It was music to his ears. No instrument in their world could rival the melodies of the whooshing sound of amniotic fluid or the hummingbird flutter of a tiny heart.

Matilda remained silent and cradled his head against her belly. She allowed him to have his moment for however long he needed it. She understood very well how he could lose himself in wonder because she was no different. Sometimes, she daydreamed about the life growing inside of her. Would it be a boy or a girl? What will their name be? Who will they take after? Will they be a fierce hunter like their mother or a broody, dull being like their father? Will they bring about peace to the lands? But more importantly, will she be a good mother?

“I’ve been thinking,” Luka announced from below, pulling Matilda out of her reverie.

“That’s never good,” she said, laughing softly as Luka gently caressed her stomach.

“What do you think of the name Leopold?”

“I despise it, my King, and you knew I would when you thought it.”

He sighed. “I know.”

“How do you feel about Draco?” she suggested.

“It sounds menacing.”

“That’s the point.”

“It is a contender.” Matilda smiled, knowing she’d more than likely get her way. “And for a girl?”

“That was the name for our girl.”

Luka snorted and shook his head. “We will not name our potential daughter Draco.”

“Do you have something better?”

“What do you think about Denalia?” Matilda perked up at the suggestion. “I take your reaction as pleasing.”

“I do not detest it. Have we come to an agreement? Draco or Denalia Alesi?”

“We have, my Queen. However, there might be a slight name change for Denalia.”

Matilda’s head snapped down, and she studied her lover as though she’d misheard him. “What do you mean by this?”

“We must speak,” he said solemnly, bringing himself to his feet.

“What did you do, vamp? You did something that’ll make me want to rip your heart out of your chest and devour it in front of the dying light of your eyes, didn’t you?”

“That sounds horribly unpleasant, and it is clear that you’ve fantasized about ending my life so tragically.”

“Once or twice,” she confirmed. Luka’s pained expression prompted a warning. “Tread lightly, my King.”

“I apologize, but this is not a treading matter, nor was this decision made without thorough consideration.”

“Speak your deceit quickly, for my patience no longer exists.”

“Very well.” To say Luka was fearful of his bride-to-be was an exaggeration; however, he knew he wouldn’t escape her wrath unscathed. “David agreed to your proposition of usurping Prince Lykaon.”

“He’d be simple not to. It is a wonderful proposition.”

“Agreed. Nevertheless, he had his demands, if you will.”