Bride of the Traitor (The Prophecy of Sisters #1) - Hayley Faiman Page 0,125

truths, Katrina,” he grinds out.

“You did not return until the next morning.”

It is impossible to keep the hurt from my voice. It is there. I am unable to mask it. Merek went to another woman’s bed, and he did so because he knew that I would not welcome him in mine. I still will not, until I am married.

“You know that I am not pure, Katrina. Do you want a list of the lovers that I have had in my life, I warn you that I started bedding women at thirteen years of age, so it could be a lengthy list,” he snaps.

My shoulder jerks and I try to shimmy out of his grasp, his words being far too much for me to handle. He refuses to release me, his fingers gripping my waist a bit firmer as he watches me, waiting for me to respond to his words.

“I do not want a list,” I grind out.

His lips twitch before he lowers his face and touches his mouth to mine. It’s a soft, gentle, sweet kiss that he doesn’t deepen, not even when my own part to allow his entrance. Nibbling on my bottom lip, he breaks the kiss.

“My sweetness,” he rasps. “Say yes and there will never be another, just you.”

“That is not romantic,” I breathe.

He chuckles as though he finds me funny. “No, it was not meant to be romantic, but it is the truth. Honesty is not always pretty, my joy,” he says, letting out a sigh. “Marry me, Katrina.”

MEREK

I am tempted to throw this blasted woman over my shoulder and drop her in the church. Elias has given me permission to wed her and yet she hesitates. I know that she wants me. Her kisses, her hard nipples, the way she moans and shifts her feet when I’m near, as if she’s trying to relieve the ache that no doubt builds between her thighs, are all signs that she indeed wants more than a few kisses from me.

“Are you frightened, my joy?” I ask.

Her body jerks slightly and she shakes her head once, but I see the reality of it in her gaze. She is terrified. Though I doubt she’s afraid of me, I do think that she’s scared to move forward with me.

“Are you scared of my physical touch or of giving all of yourself to me and fearful that I will harm you?” I ask, keeping my voice low.

She is staying with me tonight, it’s possible that Elias is gone, that evil witch having drained his love and possibly his soul from his body. I am guarding Katrina and I will have an answer before this eve is complete, before the sun dawns on a new day.

“I’m not scared, Merek. I’m terrified,” she breathes.

Grinning, I touch my mouth to hers again, this time slipping my tongue inside of her and tasting all that she has to offer. Her kiss is timid, it’s shy and unpracticed and I find that it is much sweeter than any other that I have experienced in my life.

I keep my hands wrapped around her waist, knowing that if I don’t, I will without a doubt rip the bodice of her dress completely in half, and devour her right here without a thought to her desire to stay pure until the night of her wedding.

“Never be scared of me, my joy. This union is one that is not of duty like most in my position. Elias does us a great honor by allowing me to choose my bride. However, I will not force you to marry me. If you do not wish to have me, then I will allow him to make a match.”

Keeping my eyes on hers, I take in her expression, wishing to see if she wants me to walk away or not. It will be difficult not to take her as my bride, but I have never forced myself upon a woman and I do not intend to start now.

“In truth, I do not know what I want. I should say yes without hesitating. However, I want to be sure that this will be a love match and we don’t know one another that well. I won’t be happy if you ever take a paramour, it would destroy me.”

My eyes widen at her candid words. A woman should never speak of paramours, not ever, and especially not to a man like me. Lifting my hand from her waist, I cup her cheek. My thumb glides along her