Текст книги "Twisted Together"

Автор книги: Pepper Winters

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 30 (всего у книги 33 страниц)

“Do I sign with my old name or…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes meeting the celebrant.

The man smiled. “Your new one, of course. If you’re taking your husband’s name, sign it as Tess Mercer.

She froze.

Every instinct and bestial sense sprang to high alert. I tried to see past her outer shell, searching for the real reason why she didn’t want to sign the fucking form.

Swallowing back my temper, I said as soft as I could manage, “Tu vas bien?” You okay?

She looked into my eyes, tears making the blue shine like the sea. I almost crashed to my knees with the sheer unconditional love in her depths. “I’m no longer Tess Snow.”

My stomach twisted thinking about the girl who I’d watched transform into a woman. Ever since I woke up to her whispering in my ear at Lynx’s house, I’d known she’d turned an irrevocable corner. She left Tess Snow behind the moment she smeared her cheek with the blood of her victim. She spread her wings and soared, putting her past where it belonged and embracing everything I’d always hoped she would.

Every time I looked at her I sensed it, sensed the depth and sweet depravity of my woman. I’d never meant to change her—but she’d changed herself. She’d become more—just more in every way.

I cupped her cheek, bringing her nose to mine. Tracing her throat, I caressed the top of the brand—the only part visible above her collar. She shivered, biting her lip.

“You walked away from that name, esclave. It no longer defines you.”

“What does define me?” she whispered.

“Your invincibility. Your conviction. Me.”

“You?”

My fingers drifted over her collar, tugging on the leash. “Yes. You wear my name now. You wear my fortune.”

“I’m Tess Mercer.” Her soft voice turned to a pant, flushing my body with want. My cock twitched in my trousers, ready to take her. Ready to finish this.

“You’re so much more than that.”

“What?”

“Tu es à moi.” You’re mine.

“Yours,” she breathed, swaying she pressed her lips against mine. The instant her soft mouth touched me, my vision shattered into colourless light. The countdown to taking her increased its incessant tick.

I wouldn’t last much longer. I couldn’t last much longer.

Her lips kissed along my cheekbone, ending on the shell of my ear. “I was going to deny you, husband. I didn’t think you were strong enough to take me. But you haven’t stopped making love to me since the moment I entered this marquee. I believe you’re strong enough. And I want you to take me away. Take me completely.”

She pulled back, permission blazing in her eyes. “I’m all yours. Every inch.” Gone was the fear about letting me inside the final part of her. Gone was the hesitation at exploring the unexplored.

 My muscles locked into place, fighting a full body shudder. My cock punched the buckle of my belt, demanding to have her now.

Tess left me standing like a fool, sealing the marriage contract with a flick of her wrist. Tess Mercer.

My Tess.

My esclave.

Frederick grabbed the pen with a wink. “You’re looking at her like you’re about to eat her. You guys better leave before you end up saying screw the guests and giving us a show.”

I let him finish signing before punching him in the shoulder. “We’re only here because we’re Suzette’s prisoners.”

Suzette giggled, taking the pen. “Fine, I know a man in pain when I see one. Go. I’ll rearrange the reception for tomorrow.”

A thick arm wedged between us, scrawling illegibly on the paper beneath all four signatures.

What the—

I looked over my shoulder. Franco.

He shrugged. “Hey, couldn’t let you get hitched without the top quality authority of your favourite bodyguard. I just made that thing legit.”

I rolled my eyes. “Trust you to ruin everything.”

Franco chuckled, giving Tess a one armed hug. He’d discarded his grey blazer, revealing the white shirt beneath. His sling matched the fabric, hiding the fact he was injured. Sort of. The bandage around his hand had been changed, and the minute I could breathe without needing to sink into Tess, I would source a world class doctor to replace his thumb.

He would also receive a huge bonus.

Pulling away from Tess, Franco said, “You look incredible. I’m very happy for you both. I’ll always have your back, Tess. You’ve earned my deepest respect.” Tess dropped her eyes, unconsciously tugging the collar around her throat. Her cleavage was deep and fucking enticing.

“I’ll forever be in your debt for helping me get him back. I think you deserve a long holiday and someone to pamper you.” Her eyes darted to Suzette—not at all subtle and way too insinuating.

Ah, for fuck’s sake what was with weddings and hook-ups?

She added, “Don’t be an idiot, Franco.”

His mouth fell open; eyes just as wide.

I grabbed the leash from her collar, wrapping it around my fist. “Enough, esclave. He’ll figure it out. And if he doesn’t, there are plenty of other body parts that can be sliced off to make him understand.”

Franco spluttered. “Hey, what?” His green eyes landed on Suzette who turned bright red. She coughed, backing away, the tips of her ears flaming.

I didn’t have any time for other people’s lives. Mine was all I wanted and I was done being the centre of attention.

Tugging the leash, the collar slipped a little, glinting with an inscription: property of Q Mercer.

My eyes slammed closed. I was ruined. High on the need to claim.

My cock twitched, clawing its way through my trousers to my wife.

Yep, I would never be removing that collar.

Screw the reception. Screw the guests. I was done.

“We’re leaving,” I snapped.

Tess’s eyes popped wide but slowly she nodded, tasting my need, echoing it back.

I’m married! I survived. And now I would claim my wife.

“Spoilsport,” Frederick muttered good-naturedly. He clasped my shoulder, crunching me into a painful hug. “Fair enough. We can have the reception tomorrow on the beach. I’m sure Suzette has a few days’ worth of events for us to enjoy.”

Franco rolled his eyes. “That woman is a nuisance. She’s too damn organised and when the hell did she become so freaking gorgeous?” His eyes trailed to Suzette who’d broken apart from our group, returning to Angelique.

“Since always,” Tess stated, crossing her arms.

Franco frowned. “You’re forgetting that I was the one who carried her into Q’s house. She weighed nothing more than a bag of feathers, her hair shorn, her skin covered in burns, and her fingers completely mangled.” His eyes tightened, looking at Suzette laughing with Angelique. “I’ve seen her at her worst. All I see is a broken girl who needed so much help.”

I agreed completely. That was my issue, too. “That’s how I see her as well. But maybe it’s time we looked at her with new eyes. She’s no longer that girl.”

I glanced at Suzette, truly seeing the strong woman she’d become. Pride filled me. Compared to the broken slave she’d been—it was incomparable.

Franco’s eyes widened as if truly seeing Suzette for the first time. He cleared his throat.

“You should talk to her, Franco, get to know her,” Tess pushed.

I threw Tess a look. That was enough. I hated tampering in people’s life, and Franco’s was his own. Tough shit if he couldn’t see past the past.

The celebrant placed the signed wedding agreement into a black folder, passing it to me. “Congratulations. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

Clutching the document I would treasure forever, I muttered, “More than just one lifetime. Thank you.”

Keeping Tess’s leash tight in my fist, I marched forward, fully expecting her to heel. What, like a fucking dog?

Goddammit, my thoughts were all over the place. I needed silence. Just us. Swiping a hand over my face, I tugged on the leather. “Tess—come on.”

She came forward, her lips playing with a scowl and a smile. “You’ve really got to rein in your temper.”

I bared my teeth. “Too late to try and change me, esclave. You married me—knowing full well who I was.”

And that made me the luckiest son of a bitch alive.

She laughed. “I would never want to change you.” Her eyes flittered over to Angelique and Suzette who stood talking to Fuckwit and Bianca. “I should go and say goodbye, though—I don’t want to be rude and abandon everyone.”

I shook my head. “No. You’re coming with me. This instant.”

I wouldn’t go back into the Bermuda fucking triangle of after wedding politics. We’d barely found freedom as it was, and it’d taken far too long.

Frederick brushed past, heading for his wife. “I’ll tell everyone, Tess. They’ll understand.”

Her cheeks pinked. “Okay, thank you. Guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”

No chance. I wasn’t leaving that bedroom for weeks.

“Only if you’re still able to walk,” I breathed in her ear.

Her body jolted, and I took the opportunity to wrap my arm around her, guiding her toward the exit. “If you so much as speak to another person leaving this fucking tent, I’ll put you over my knee in front of everyone.”

And I’ll love it. My stomach lurched at the thought of finally getting her alone.

Tess breathed hard, her breasts rising and falling. “You shouldn’t get so wound up. Your heart needs a rest.”

I laughed darkly. “Let me worry about my heart—you worry about yours.” Slamming to a halt by the doorway, I whispered, “Because I’ll make it fly out of your chest with what I’m going to do to you.”

Tess wiggled in my grip, brushing against things that needed no other stimulation.

Surveying the black shrouded tent, I sighed with satisfaction. Everything had come true. Tess was no longer broken. I’d fought against the underworld and won. And now, now I intended to spend a few weeks on this island recuperating and making delicious sinful love to my wife.

Pressing Tess against my rock hard erection, I murmured, “I want to see you naked. I want you wearing only the collar and your high heels.” Pushing her out of the shadows and into the light, I growled, “Come on, esclave. Time to consummate.”

* * *

Tess stood before me, breathing hard.

I locked the sliding door, proceeding to draw every curtain so no one could see in. However, it didn’t go dark, thanks to the sun streaming in from the glass roof.

I couldn’t stop looking at the collar around her throat. I want you naked. I want to drive into you holding that leash.

My heart raced, burning off the remaining painkillers in my system. Every inch of me ached, but all I wanted was Tess. I didn’t care about the burning in my legs or the slight twinge whenever my heart beat too fast. The bullet wound in my leg didn’t stand a chance against the desire in my blood.

I could recoup later. Right now. I had husbandly duties to perform.

“Get in the bedroom, esclave.”

I planned one more game to end our crescent moon.

Tess was mine in every conceivable way. She was back to the strong and amazing woman I fell in love with and today, I would finish my claiming.

She’d given me permission.

She was ready.

I would finish what I started in Tenerife.

The stress of the wedding left my system, leaving me levelheaded and able to focus on nothing but her. The world was inconsequential now we were alone. I trusted the team of bodyguards bobbing around the atoll to keep us safe. I trusted my friends to stay far away from our villa until I was drained dry and Tess could barely walk.

And I trusted that tomorrow, I might be able to be nicer to Fuckwit, after reminding Tess just who she would spend the rest of her life with.

Tess hadn’t moved.

“I won’t ask again. Get in the bedroom.”

Tess bowed her head, watching me with lowered eyes. “Q?”

I inched toward her, suffering a rapidly building itch to chase—to hunt.

I’m going to consume you, wife.

“Yes, esclave?” I dropped my eyes down her front; my mouth watered to slice the dress from her. I wanted to drink in her gorgeous body—to drool at the tempting fucking corset.

I wanted to stare—now that no one else was watching.

Tess inched backward, activating the beast inside by submitting to me. “I’m giving you the last part of me—but I have one request.”

My legs locked to the floor. What request? She doesn’t want pain? She doesn’t want rough? My eyes searched hers, but her secrets were hidden.

I cocked my head. “One request…”

Her gaze glowed with love. “I ask that you look after yourself. Let me do the work if you need to. I don’t want you bursting your stitches or having a heart attack. Let me be the one to take you.”

I threw my head back, a loud laugh escaping. “Vous pensez que je suis fragile putain?” You think I’m that fucking frail? Humour danced in my voice. “I’ll show you who’s frail, Tess. You should know me by now pain turns me on. I don’t care I’m beaten black and blue. I don’t care that I have holes and cuts for fucking miles. All I care about is your pussy.”

Her cheeks pinked. Never taking her eyes from mine, she inched toward the corridor, walking backward, swaying her delicious tempting hips, her red heels clicking on the tiles.

“I’m fixated on touching you, tasting you, fucking you. Nothing else matters but that. Do you understand?”

I moved forward with her, hiding my limp, cursing the pain in my thigh.

Her breath was shallow, pinpricks of colour smudging her chest. “I understand. You’re suffering the same illness as me.” She kept backing up. Every step made my cock harder.

“What illness is that?” I whispered, my fists opening and closing in anticipation. Her skin was flawless again. No wax burns or bite marks. I needed to rectify that. After all, this was the consummation of our marriage.

“I can’t stop thinking about your fingers inside me, or your tongue licking. And, maître…”

Tess dragged delicate fingers along the wall, following the curve to the bedroom.

My ears burned for the rest of her sentence. I entered the space, crowding her to stand in the centre. “Go on…what were you going to say?”

Tell me. Fucking tell me before I explode.

The moment she stood still, her breathing quickened, sending the innocent room swimming with heady need and want. Her chest rose. “I love your cock, husband. Your fine, long, scrumptious, thick cock. I want to suck it. I want to bite it. And when you’re soaking wet from my mouth I want…”

Fucking hell. My stomach tore itself to pieces.

I stormed toward her, grabbing a fistful of hair. “What, esclave. What. Tell me.” My cock throbbed. It fucking whimpered for the blowjob she’d so eloquently described.

Her eyes locked onto mine. “When you’re wet, I want you to take me. Take my virginity. Fill me. Claim me. Because everything about me is yours.”

I couldn’t do it.

I smashed my lips on hers, groaning deep into her mouth. Her tongue battled mine as if she’d waited for one hint at violence to unravel. Her moan echoed in my heart as we devoured each other in a fierce fast kiss.

Breaking apart, our eyes locked. The life I lived ceased to exist. I stood on the edge as my past was sucked away, leaving my soul humming with finality. It was as if a new chapter began. A fresh page, unsullied with badness or sickness or pain. Completely new, completely pure, utterly ready for our new life together.

I couldn’t describe the freedom whistling inside me. The knowledge I could hurt this woman and she would love it, but I didn’t have to hurt her. The drive, the incessant beast and monster, finally learned how to be…soft. My temper faded, leaving me gentle—truly gentle for the first time in my life.

“Tess—” I cupped her cheek, so madly fucking in love with her. My eyes fell to her collar, then to her dress. The beast clawed a little, teasing me with the overwhelming urge to shred the clothing and throw her on the bed.

But the softer, gentler side was stronger for once. I would take Tess—the last piece of her, but I would do it in a way I’d never done before. A way I never thought I would be able to do.

A way I never thought possible.

Sweet. Loving. Tame.

There would be no need for bondage, spanking, or blood play. For that one wondrous moment, I wanted soft. I wanted to feel her breath on my skin and not her nails. I wanted to shudder beneath her lips and not her teeth. I wanted lovemaking not fucking.

I didn’t want to fight.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmured, drugging myself on her. My aches and pains faded, losing power over me the longer I stood in her arms.

Her face turned up, a smile on her lips. “You’re beautiful. Beyond beautiful.” Her hands landed on my chest, her fingertips pressing ever so lightly on my tattoo. “May I, maître?”

My eyes grew heavy but not with domination. With love. She completely bewitched me, leaving me scattered in this new playground where caresses and kisses were more welcome than bites and screams.

I nodded, sucking in a breath as her fingers crept down my chest, heading around my waist. Taking a delicate step, she fitted her body against mine in the sweetest embrace.

I couldn’t breathe. I could barely keep the emotion from bubbling through my twisted soul and spewing out of my pussy fucking eyes.

My chin rested on her head, gathering her to me, squeezing her in an endless hug.

“We’re each other’s, Q.” Tess pressed a kiss on the healing brand over my heart. “I never want to be apart. I know we’ll fight and argue and force each other to distraction but I will never stop loving you.”

My arms banded tighter. My cock grew impossibly harder. My chest felt too small to contain the triple-quadruple sized love growing inside.

Pulling away, I said, “We will never be apart. Even when I’m angry you’ll still be able to melt me with one word. Even if I’m being an augmentative jackass, I’ll still bow to you and only you.” Dropping my head, I whispered against her mouth, “You own me, Tess.”

The second her lips touched mine the unsullied page of our future splashed with life. A future I had the privilege to live unfolded before my eyes: images of Tess barefoot and laughing. Colours of birds and wings and happiness. Each ideal came and went in a wash of ink, dispersing with unknown memories.

Tess moaned as my tongue entered her mouth, licking her, tasting her. Her lips opened, welcoming me deeper.

Our heads tilted, following each other in perfect synchronicity as the kiss evolved from tender to passionate. Her breath filled my lungs; my fingers burned to touch.

Never breaking the kiss, I found the bow at her lower back, undoing the restraint. Following the billowing material, I released the dress.

Tess shimmied from the silk, letting it fall from her shoulders. Her hands slid up my back to my arms, removing my blazer in the same slow intoxication.

Our kiss continued, lips locked, hearts linked as my jacket fell to the floor. Her hands went to my waistband, quickly undoing the zipper and button, allowing the trousers to cascade down my legs, leaving me completely naked. My hard cock sprang upward, freed from its prison, thudding against my stomach. The head prodded a bruise—a small undercurrent of pain in this dream of lust. But everything was bruised—so the pain didn’t matter. All pain became great pain. And Tess was the greatest pain of all.

She affected me right where it mattered.

I was immortal holding my paramour.

Tess tried to pull away, but I kept her mouth glued to mine. She moaned again as I kissed deeper, tasting every morsel, demanding her utmost attention. With questing fingers, I found the garter belt clips and undid them. Reaching around, I unthreaded the first corset lace, working my way slowly, teasingly up her back.

You’re mine to unwrap. The ultimate gift.

What the hell did I do to deserve her?

With every loosened lace Tess shivered, her mouth working harder on mine until her fingers landed in my hair, tugging me ruthlessly.

I stumbled, unwilling to use stomach muscles that’d been beaten with a baseball bat. We tripped together, never letting go or breaking the kiss. Our lips were hot and wet. Our thoughts connected—our bodies linked.

Regaining our footing, I undid the final lace. Unwrapping the corset from her body, I dropped it to the floor. Tess breathed a sigh of relief. Her breasts went from squished and high to natural and heavy.

Her nipples called to me—wondrously beckoning to my cock. I wanted to thrust between her breasts. I wanted to grace her perfect throat with a necklace made from come. So much I wanted to do. And I can. She’s my wife.

A bolt of ultimate happiness chased away everything I’d lived through. Lynx and his fucking mind-games were over. I would get over my issues with towels and never look back.

Tess had defeated me in more ways than one. In so many ways that mattered.

My balls twitched in anticipation. A shooting pain radiated in my stomach. I couldn’t tell if it was the overbearing need to fill her or if my body suffered under pressure. Either way—I ignored it, focusing on her heat and liquidity.

Tugging on the leash trailing between her breasts, I jerked her close. She gasped against my lips, her tongue dancing with mine in a tango full of need.

I wanted to make love to her forever.

I will make love to her forever.

Nothing would stop me from spending the rest of my days worshipping this woman.

My eyes opened, diving into hers. Our lips never stopped taking but messages were sent and understood.

I love you.

I adore you.

You’re mine.

I’m yours.

Her hands dove into my hair, pulling me ever closer. Her touch claimed every part of me—she lived in my skin, my heart, my mind.

I drowned in her taste. I wanted her crying as she came. I wanted her unravelling on my tongue.

With strong arms, I plucked her from the floor, walking her to the bed. We never stopped kissing, licking. Time had finally obeyed me—stopping in this wonderful moment. The world ceased to spin—letting us indulge.

When my knees hit the mattress, I lowered her gently. Her weight transferred to the crisp white bedspread; her blonde hair fanned out in lazy waves.

I broke the kiss, leaning over her. “Fuck, you’re so damn magnifique.”

Tess rolled upright, not caring her hair fell around her shoulders, hiding her breasts. With sharp determination, she pushed my lower belly, placing me where she wanted.

Her fingers wrapped around my hips and she gave me exactly what she promised. Her mouth swallowed my length in one long delicious pull.

“Holy shit, esclave.”

My brain stuttered out, blanking every sense, every thought. All I could focus on was the slippery heaven of her lips. Every nerve ending went straight to my cock.

Her head bobbed, sucking hard—almost violent in her speed and possession. I was her hostage, governed by a body desperate for a release. She was my witch. My whore. My wife.

“Tess—fuck.” My hands landed in her hair, fisting her thick curls. My ass clenched, rocking into her wet talented mouth. Her hand grasped the base, stroking me in time with her sucks.

My eyes rolled back, giving every inch of control to Tess. For once, I didn’t care she’d taken away my power. For once, I had no issues with her being in charge.

She owns me anyway. There was no difference if she took what she wanted or accepted.

“My mouth is yours, master. Always,” she murmured, kissing the tip, sliding back down—down and down—her teeth whispering over delicate flesh.

Her fingers found my balls, rolling them, squeezing. They tightened, drawing close to my body, so hot, so fucking ready to blow.

“Q…I want to drink you,” Tess said, wrenching my head back as she deep-throated me.

I groaned, losing my eyesight completely. “God, Tess. Your mouth is fucking magic.” My body stiffened, bliss blasting down my legs. My stomach clenched, working through the pain, wobbling in her hold.

I want to come.

So come.

I can’t.

All enjoyment faded.

I crashed from my blowjob high to a crevice of lows. My mind filled with images of the slave sucking me. Her tentative lips—her juvenile touch compared to Tess’s mastery.

Shit.

Pushing Tess away, I swiped a hand over my face. I don’t want to tell her.

Did I have the strength to tell her what Lynx did? That another woman had been forced to lick the same cock forever belonging to Tess?

Secrets will ruin you.

Tess had accepted me despite knowing nothing of my past. She loved me in spite of knowing my present. She promised to never leave, regardless of what happened in the future, and I couldn’t dishonour her by not being honest.

“Is everything okay?” Tess’s lips were swollen, waiting for me to slide back inside and forget—forget about everything.

But I couldn’t.

Falling to my knees, I took her hands. I didn’t know where to start. She had to understand my reasoning before I blurted out the horror. Taking a deep breath, trying to find my runaway courage, I said, “I was so fucking frightened when I couldn’t find you, Tess. When you were taken, I lost a part of myself. I willingly gave that part up to hunt for you—mainly because in some dark recess—I thought I’d never see you again.

“You own me completely, so when you were missing, I had nothing.”

Her fingers twitched, linking around mine with encouragement.

“I did things, esclave. I butchered men and feel no regrets. I tortured traffickers and feel no remorse. I do things society wouldn’t approve but I don’t care because I do. It fits within my law—do you see?”

Tess shook her head softly. “Your law? Q…what are you talking about?”

It was surreal holding her dressed only in a collar, pantyhose, and knickers. I kneeled before her naked, spilling my heart. Way to pick a fucking time. But I couldn’t go any further until I’d purged myself. She needed to know how fucking sorry I was.

“Q, you’re scaring me. Why are you telling me this?”

Swallowing hard, I replied, “Because it’s time you know the truth about me.” I’m doing this. I’m truly going to spill everything in one messed up conversation. “I don’t talk about my family because my father was a heinous fucking bastard who raped and murdered women. I hated what he did. And I shot him. I brought a gun and premeditated murder all because I couldn’t listen to the screams anymore. But the moment I pressed the trigger, his tendencies shot into me. His evilness found a new host—in a boy who was his father’s true heir.”

I wanted to cut out my tongue. I never wanted to tell her. I always believed my past would remain hidden, yet I’d just spewed it on our wedding night.

Tess captured my chin, stroking my bristles. “There’s nothing evil about you, Q. You aren’t—”

“Let me finish.” Her acceptance granted false hope. I was nowhere near done.

I had to rip off the bandages—exposing myself sharp and quick. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t finish and the secret would fester for the rest of my life.

I needed Tess to forgive me. Please, forgive me.

“You guessed right at dinner. I had a sister. Her name was Marquisa. She died at my father’s hand, and I was too young to kill him. I lived with the man who raped and killed my sister because I was weak.” I glossed over the grotesqueness, not willing to flay that particular memory.

Tess sucked in a gasp, her naked breasts rising with horror. “Q—no. That’s awful.”

“I wasn’t going to tell you—I didn’t want you to know, but I have to tell you something else—and I hope to God you don’t fucking hate me.” My eyes latched onto hers, filling with fear. “Don’t despise me. I don’t know what I’ll do if you do.”

Tess stiffened. Her lips popped wider, alarm flushing her skin. But she didn’t untangle her fingers from mine. I took strength from that. “Why would I despise you, Q? I’ve accepted everything about you. Nothing you say can change that.” She was so beautiful, so pure.

I hung my head. God, I hoped so. “I haven’t been faithful to you, esclave.”

Her face turned white; her fingers turned to icicles. “Excuse me?”

Fuck. “Lynx made a slave girl suck me. I didn't want it. I fought it and chose to die rather than be unfaithful, but I had to tell you. I can’t live with the knowledge I let it happen. It wasn’t for long and I never broke my honour to you in my heart. But I had to apologise, so it never comes between us.”

Tess didn’t move.

My heart charged like a monstrous thing, wheezing for forgiveness.

When she didn’t say anything, I squeezed her fingers. “Please. Say something.”

Slowly, she tugged her hand from mine. My stomach hollowed out.

Then she laced her fingers in my hair, holding me still, peering deep into my eyes. “You chose death over some woman giving you oral sex?” She blinked. “Why?”

“Why?”

“Q—you almost died…all because—”

“I almost died to protect my integrity. That’s the only part of me I have left. Don’t you understand? I’ve killed my father. I’ve seen my sister be raped and murdered. I’ve watched and done nothing as my mother drank herself into the grave. I’ve built my life on nothing. I’ve run from a past I want nothing to do with. I have no control over that. None.

“But I do have my honour. It’s the only thing I can control.” I gritted my teeth. “I survived with the darkness in my blood by one means only. I thought you’d figured that out by now, esclave.”

Her blue-grey eyes glossed with sadness, radiating kindness. “No, Q. I haven’t figured you out at all, but this is helping.”

I rushed ahead, hoping to make her understand. “Honour is my driving force. The only thing I can rely on when the monster gets too strong or the beast takes control. Honour is the only law I obey.

“I broke my unbreakable law when that woman sucked me. It ruined everything I stood for because I broke your trust in me.”

Tess’s lips clamped together. I captured her tears with a fingertip. “Don’t you see, mon amour? I would rather die than have that honour taken away from me. It’s my only guideline on right and wrong. And I love you too much to besmirch it. Please, I need you to understand and forgive me.”

Tess cried softly, her cheeks flushing with emotion. “Forgive you? Q—there’s nothing to forgive.”

I trembled. My back hurt, my body screamed with pain, but I couldn’t move. Not until I believed her. Not until I’d been granted absolution from this angel who was my wife. “Please…just say you understand.”

Her hands captured my cheeks, kissing me hard. “If you need to hear it, then yes I forgive you.” Her lips landed on my jaw, my cheekbones, my eyelids. “I would’ve forgiven you for anything because he made you do it. Q—you have nothing to feel guilty about because it was outside of your control.”

She stopped kissing me, temper blazing bright. “What I can’t forgive, is you willingly sacrificing your life because you let your morals sign your death sentence. We were almost too late, Q. Do you think I would’ve cared if I found you in bed with another woman—against your will—compared to hanging dead in a dungeon? Yes, it would’ve killed me to know you’d been with another girl but at least you’d be alive.”