Chapter two
I jolted awake the next morning from a tug inside me as if someone was trying to pull me towards them, i quickly got dressed into the riding leathers i asked the servant to get ready for me last night.
That tug pulled again when i was closing my door. i'm coming jeez
I walk the short hallway to the stairs to the main entry way to see Tamlin leaning against the door looking up at me eyebrow raised.
'i'm assuming your the one summoning me?'
'You felt it then?' He stands up straighter and takes his hands out of his pockets can you hear me? his voice caresses the walls of my mind
'Your Daemati?' i ask stupidly, it doesn't make sense mum and dad never said he was.
'No, you're my Mate the bond snapped into place last night but i suspected when you arrived'
Mate, mate, mate my mate
'Shall we go for that ride and we can talk about it or just help me with my patrol?'
Tamlin looks resigned as if he thinks i'm going to reject the bond that's the feelings flowing from him as i walk nearer rejection, resignation, nervousness, sadness. when i get to the bottom of the stairs i take his hand and send a thought down the bond our mating bond you better have packed a picnic if we are skipping breakfast Tamlin squeezes my hand and nudges me with a shoulder
'Already in the saddle bags' He gestures to the gravel path leading to the horses waiting for us 'Shall we?'
...
We rode in comfortable silence occasionally tugging on the bond to see if the other was okay, Tamlin had said he was taking her to where the wall used to be that separated his lands from the humans and that they would be there soon. The trees got thicker the closer we got to the site and a peaceful quietness hovered over us as we got off the horses. i must have sent my feelings through the bond for Tamlin announced
'It's the lack of magic that your sensing not many of our kind venture into the human lands for any magic to linger'
'Is this where the unwelcome guests have been arriving?' i nod towards the human lands and Tamlin runs a hand through his hair taking it away from his neck i wonder what he'd taste like if i licked him there cauldron boil me he is gorgeous His laugh echoes in my mind shit did i send that down the bond i look to him but hes faced away towards where i indicated.
'Yes children of the blessed have been sighted along the border holding services and such, we don't want to get to close if they are minding their own for now but if they get the courage to come into my lands i can't say all my people are of kind nature a few of them would gladly kill them or try to enslave them.'
he turns to me, smirks then winnows away before i have chance to scan my surroundings to where he went i feel his breath by my ear
'What do you taste like i wonder'
mother save me my core goes molten with his words i turn my head to face him accidentally giving his access to my neck when he leans down and licks the side of my neck to my ear stopping to gently tug on my ear before pulling away
'mmm delicious'
I stand there in shock at what he just did but i pull myself together and loose out a breath which kinda sounds like a growl as i spin towards him, Grab him by the tunic and pull him towards me, i press a kiss to his lips and not so gently bite his bottom lip as i pull away and make towards the border. I don't make it two steps before he pushes me against a tree one hand holding my wrists above my head and the other gently holds my neck as he aggressively kisses me a growl rumbles deep in his throat as i open my mouth to let his tongue in. He moves his hand lower to cup my breast and begins to knead it which makes me release a moan into his mouth, He pulls away breathless and takes a step away.
'Why did you stop?' I ask disappointment lacing my words, i pout at him for emphasis. He clears his throat then replies
'We have things to discuss about our situation before we continue'
'Like your safe word?' I smirk and take a step forward to touch him but he backs away again Funny he sends down the bond.
'Fine, you mean the ceremony and the sharing food to accept the bond' I huff
'Yes that is of course you do accept' he looks at the ground feelings of doubt and dread seep down the bond.
'I' i pause trying to find the right words not to upset or rile him but he must read it wrong as he sighs and says
'You don't want it?' he turns away running his hand through his hair, i take a step and grab his other arm to halt him
'it's not that, look, I don't want to use my parents as an excuse but most of what i know about you came from their feelings about you and i know how things ended with mum and' i trail off not wanting to say the rest.
'You think i'd treat you the same lock you up? he finishes for me
'If you were that possessive with her without a bond then how bad would you be with your actual mate. I'm more like my father in most regards but on this i would be exactly like mum i would find it suffocating and i would resent you plus if you haven't noticed i am Heir to the night court i have to attend meetings and help run things.' Tamlin chuckles
'Sorry, it's not funny but i like your attitude it's refreshing after so many years of what I've been through to find someone who i can speak freely to. i regret a lot of things i did with your mother and it's no excuse but most of my actions were due to the curse and Amarantha, I would hope after we settled into the bond i would be able to control myself and trust you to make your own choices' he gently reaches out to tip my chin up towards him 'Give me a chance?' he asks i nod in answer, take a step back then stick out my hand towards him
'Hi, I'm Lady Artemis Heir to the night court.' Tamlin smiles and grips my hand
'Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you i'm Tamlin High Lord of the Spring court'
