my shoulder, pulling me to the floor of the balcony with him as he laughed silently.
“Someone saw us,” I whispered.
“They did.” Ryder laughed harder. “I should go kill them.”
“Ryder!”
He let loose, laughing until it became contagious as I laughed as I lay above him, naked. I stared down at him, his smile brightening as his eyes glowed with happiness. I leaned over, kissing him softly until his hands lifted, holding the back of my head as he devoured my mouth. Then, he slowly stood, carrying me into our bedroom. On the bed, he pulled me close, holding me in his arms and kissing my forehead.
“I love you, Pet,” he murmured, tightening his hold on me. “I didn’t put you in that tower to shield you. I did it to protect everyone else, allowing the men to focus on the battle at hand. Having you there makes the women and children feel safe. It also ensures that my men stay focused on their duties, knowing that their families are protected from harm while we handle everything outside the stronghold. I need their heads in this war, and because of you, Sinjinn has a son.”
“I almost lost that baby today,” I admitted, tracing my fingers over his shoulder, studying him carefully. “I want to bring in more doctors.”
“I told you Eliran could handle it,” he argued, and I adjusted in his hold. Standing up slowly, I glamoured on a sheer, ice-blue nightgown with a long, flowing skirt and V-line neck that stretched across my cleavage.
“I know, but I need reassurance that if something happens outside of the tower, you have our best doctor with you. Eliran can’t be in two places at once. Olivia is overdue, and Ciara can have her babe any day now. I didn’t know what to do, and it terrified me. There was no one inside that room that had any idea how to deliver a child.”
“Fine,” he stated.
“I was terrified that I would kill the babes or Icelyn. Why are you arguing this? Wait, did you just agree with me?” I paused, studying his face.
“I did,” Ryder chuckled with a shrug. “You shouldn’t be forced into that situation. I know it frightened you because I sensed it here,” he said, pointing at his heart. “Faery felt it and trembled. Your emotions are tied to the world now. When I fuck you, it is magical. When you cry, it rains. When you’re afraid, the entire world holds its breath until you release that fear, and then it breathes again with you. I’d hate to know what happens when you are angry.”
I laughed nervously and rolled my eyes. “I’d probably burn down the forest, or worse.”
“Mmm, you set fire to my soul, woman. I don’t like outsiders coming to our home, but I understand your concern, and I’ll allow it for you.”
“What’s the catch?” I studied him closely as I ran my hand over the muscles of his chest.
“I get that needy pussy whenever I want it. And if these new doctors betray us, I will rip their spines out through their mouths and fuck you on their corpses.”
“Mmm. Is it bad that I hope they betray us?” I asked innocently, continuing my leisurely perusal of his body as my hand dipped low to stroke his cock once before smiling at him.
“Naughty little thing, aren’t you?” he countered. “I have it on good authority that the entire horde trembles at the mention of your name.”
“Good, it was my intention when I ripped their self-appointed leaders’ throats out,” I said, gripping his cock in my hand, beginning to stroke him slowly. “You taught me that you control the horde by fear, so let them fear me. The first moment you were gone, your people planned to replace you. They wanted to rape me on your throne.” My grip tightened as my hand began to move faster. “I showed them that it could not be done. No one fucks me except my king, and Ryder, you are my fucking Fairy King.”