CHAPTER 60

A week passed since Faye's visit to Anaria. Rune routinely sought her out during the day. Asking her to share a meal, where he drank blood while she ate or he simply remained in her company as he read documents.

When Rune was away from her, he scoured documents looking for leads that would shed light on what she was or her altar.

Today Rune read brittle, yellowed pages as she arranged her herbs on drying racks.

"How do you…" Faye bit the inside of her lip when Rune glanced up from his research. Under his gaze her nerve quickly left her. She focused on the leaves on her drying rack, and said in a rush, "How are you so sure I'm your queen?"

"You consume my every thought. I long to be near you." He spoke with such calm conviction, guilt nipped at her for questioning him. Faye tentatively glanced up and the corner of his mouth lifted. "I have tried to stay away. I managed five miserable days. My blood sings for you."

A romantic notion because she was young. "It'll stop singing as I age," Faye said flatly. He would remain the same as she withered with time. He would leave.

Rune pushed his chair away from the table and extended his hand. "Come here."

Faye came to stand between his knees. She placed her hand in his, not meeting his gaze.

His lips brushed the back of her hand and he glanced up at her from beneath his thick dark lashes. "Sit with me."

Faye lowered herself to his thigh, desperately wanting to believe his words. Needing to believe fate superseded circumstance. The part of her that guarded her heart said it wasn't enough. Urged her to run before she fell any deeper. Cut her losses or hurt forever.

Rune's hand closed over hers as he stroked her back. Faye's tension fell away and he said, "I will never turn from you. I do hope you become immortal when you invoke your blood. But if that is not our fate, I will cherish the time I have with you and wait for your return."

Faye leaned forward to rest her forehead against his. His words touched her, soothing the scars she carried on her heart. She wrapped her arms around him, tangling her hands in his white-blonde hair. He pulled her closer, his lips a moment from hers. She closed her eyes letting his words resonate in her. Humming along with the connection she felt between them.

She leaned forward touching her lips to his.

It was a soft, chaste kiss. He didn't take or demand more. His longing and reverie is evident in every touch. Being in his arms felt so right, it scared her.

The part of her mind that protected her heart for so many years screamed his words were honeyed lies. That she should run before he could hurt her. Faye pushed it away, silencing the protesting voice. Concentrating on his touch. How she felt when he held her close.

Faye pulled back, breaking their kiss. She was met with a soul deep yearning reflected in his pale blue gaze. His veined misted shadows swayed, brushing over the tops of his cheekbones. She swept her thumb through the shadows.

"Would you like me to let Voshki rise?"

"No," she breathed as she brushed her fingertips over the side of his face. "Can I touch you?"

He smiled up at her, giving her a flash of his fangs. "You may do anything that pleases you."

She stood to retrieve a length of uncut ribbon Rune gave her to bind the herbs together.

The corner of his mouth lifted as he glanced up from her ribbon to meet her gaze. "You wish to be restrained?"

Faye ran the length of the silk between her fingers. "Oh, this isn't for me." He arched his brow and she giggled. "You're the one who couldn't control himself and ripped up my bed."

He canted his head at her. "Always blaming me for your actions.Your Wings shredded your bed when I attempted to untangle myself from your hold. I did however enjoy the way you clung to me in your sleep. An experience I would not mind repeating."

Faye wet her lips. She couldn't tell him, but she missed the dreams where she slept in his arms while he stroked her hair. She curled her finger at him as she sauntered over.

Rune obeyed, gazing down at her. "What game did my minx have in mind?"

"One where you don't get to touch me." Faye waved her finger in a circle indicating for him to turn around. He turned as she bid. Faye pulled his arms behind his back crossing his wrists before binding them with her ribbon.

Rune twisted to glance down at her. "You realize I can break this."

She met his gaze with one of mischief. "But you won't."

"And what would my queen command of me?"

"Sit."

Rune turned and took his seat. Faye bit the inside of her lip as her toes curled. With all his power, he would choose to submit to her. The control she wielded over him intoxicated her, making her bold.

Faye stroked the front of his throat and Rune lifted his chin, giving her more access. A low rumble emanated from him, vibrating beneath her touch.

"Are you purring?" She teasingly ran her thumb over his bottom lip.

Rune answered in a low groan.

Faye crawled onto his lap, straddling his hips. Rune stared up at her, his gaze predatory. "I'm going to touch you and you will not move."

He smiled up at her, male desire blatant in his eyes. His deep, accented voice caressed her as he purred, "Yes, my queen."

Faye stood on her knees and gripped the front of his throat. She was a little taller than him in this position. Her heart pounded wildly as her gaze lingered on his lips. She wet her own and bent to brush her lips against his.

The touch of his lips thrilled her. His mouth began to move with hers, kissing her gently. Faye fisted his hair, tugging back until he hissed a breath.

"You don't get to move," she whispered against his lips. Faye kissed him again and he remained still, keeping his lips parted for her. She loosened her grip on his hair and sighed, "Good."

She breathed in his scent of amber and sandalwood, giving herself over to the feel of him. She licked his fangs and teasingly nibbled on his bottom lip. Her hands explored the hard planes of his body.

His surrender affected some primal, visceral part of her. She wanted to take everything he had to give. To let her want to devour him whole. Her nipples tightened, pressing against the thin fabric of her shirt. Rune closed his eyes as Faye tightened her grip on his throat, dragging his bottom lip through her teeth.

She flattened her hand over his chest moving lower. His muscles tensed, flexing beneath her touch. His groans made her desperate for more of him. Faye's nails dragged over the material of his fine shirt. She kissed him harder, needing more.

Faye seized the front of his throat, pressing him back against the chair. "Kiss me."

In a blur, he leaned up, his tongue stroking against hers. His fang nicked her lip.

Rune pulled back, but Faye moved with him, too caught up in the moment to care. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him in. He groaned as she rolled her hips, moving over his hard length. She moaned into his mouth, pressing harder. Her heart thundered in her ears as her body tensed. Faster. Harder. Darkness, she could come just by doing this.

"Bitch, I'm ordering lunch."

Faye froze, her gaze snapping to the door.

It clicked open as Faye scrambled off Rune.

Sparrow stood wide eyed in the doorway for a moment before she gave them both a toothy grin. "Are you finally going to fuck him?" Then she gave a pointed look at Rune. "Go easy on her." She shut the door, yelling through it, "I'll just order extra food. Don't forget to hydrate!"

Mortified, Faye turned back to Rune. "I'm so sorry."

The corner of his mouth lifted into a sexy smirk and Faye didn't find it intolerable. The sight made her ache for him all over again.

"I believe Sparrow ruined your game. May I free myself from your bonds now?" He asked.

Faye's eyes widened, she forgot she tied his wrists. "Stand up, I'll untie you."

Rune stood, bringing his arms in front of him and held her knotted ribbon out to her.

"How'd you do that?" Faye asked as she took the ribbon and began the work of untying it.

Rune rolled his shoulders. "Phasing through material is a simple task."

He could have gotten out of her hold at any time, but he stayed to please her. A smile tugged on her lips.

"I could tend to you if you wish." He lifted his chin and inhaled, closing his eyes. He met her gaze again, a dark hunger flickering in his stare. "Ease your ache."

"And who would tend to you?"

"I can slake myself. You could watch if you wish." He teased me.

Faye's gaze lowered to his straining erection. The thought of him stroking himself excited her. Darkness, he was too tempting. She wanted him, and it frightened her. Her fear didn't lie with him. She feared he would realize fate wasn't enough to bridge their worlds and leave her.

She forced herself to take a step back. "I think I've had enough excitement for the day."

"Should I procure a riding crop for you?" He asked.

Faye stood frozen as flush spread over her cheeks.

He raised his brow at her reaction. "Unless you prefer something else. I could ask Kayla to arrange a merchant. I am sure she would be more than happy to show you her arsenal. You could pick and choose what strikes you."

Faye turned her back to him, wishing she could phase and hide.

Rune stepped toward her, the backs of his fingers grazing down her arm. "You have nothing to feel shame for. We all have our own desires." His hand slid to hers and brought the back of her hand to his lips. "I prefer the riding crop to a candle holder if I have a say in the matter."

Faye laughed and leaned into him. Curiosity tugged at her imagination as she relaxed against him. "Can we look together?"

He stroked her hair. "I will have it arranged."

"Are you sure this is okay?'

Rune smiled down at her and pressed a kiss to her hair. "You crave control, and if this is what you need, I give it freely."