His movements stilled when he spotted her tears. “Annis, do I hurt?”
Concern could be heard in his voice and seen in his narrowed brow, which only made her cry more. She shook her head, too choked up to speak.
“Tell me why you cry.” He wiped at her tears and went to slip his shaft out of her.
“Nay,” she cried, grabbing tight hold of his arms so he could not move, not that it would help. He could easily break her hold on him, but thankfully he didn’t.
“Tell me,” he insisted, continuing to wipe at her tears.
“Happy tears,” she managed to say with an awkward smile.
He shook his head, a smile starting to spread across his face. “You make me love you more each day.”
Annis sniffled back her subsiding tears. “Do not stop. I love the feel of you inside me.”
He brought his mouth to hers for a searing kiss and began to move inside her once again.
She was grateful his shaft had remained stiff, but then his passion overpowered just as much as hers did, and it did not take much to reignite it—his kiss alone did that.
His thrusts soon turned more potent, and she responded raising her hips to meet his robust tempo.
She moaned or was she crying out his name, she could not be sure, and it did not matter. She was lost in a whirlwind of pleasure. It built and built and built, and she knew that he would do as he said—make her come harder than she ever had.
Annis screamed out his name when she exploded in such a powerful climax that she thought it would surely kill her.
When his wife let loose with a fiery roar, he let loose with one of his own and shattered in a forceful climax that nearly buckled his legs. He shuddered as the last of his climax drifted away along with some of his strength.
“Good Lord, husband, that was unbelievably fantastic,” she said through quick breaths.
He slipped out of her and dropped down beside her, needing to regain his strength. “Love… it makes a difference.”
Annis turned on her side to face him, resting her hand on his chest. “You are right. It does and I am so happy I found love with you.”
“Only with me. Only ever with me,” he said and cringed at his own words. “If I were to die young you will find a good man to protect you and keep you safe, though you do not have to love him. At least, not the way you love me.”
She sat up and poked him in the chest. “You are far more generous than me, since if I die young, I expect you to retreat to a monastery and become a monk.”
Brogan grabbed her hand to prevent any more pokes, jabs or punches, and laughed. “A monk, you say?”
“That’s right, a monk,” she said and poked him in the side with her other hand. “So, you better keep me safe, or you are doomed to a celibate life.”
He laughed and she poked him again which made him laugh even harder, and before she could poke him again, he grabbed her other hand and yanked her across his chest.
His laughter died and his eyes narrowed. “I want only you, wife. No other woman would be as entertaining.” He laughed again.
“Just you wait until my hands are free,” she threatened.
He yanked her closer. “I do so love you, wife.” He kissed her gently. “Every beat of my heart beats with love for you and always will.”
It was as if Annis could feel his love flow over and through her, and she sighed, “You redeem yourself, husband.”
He released her hands and eased her off him to settle her against his side, then pulled the blanket over them, her body taking on a slight chill.
Annis yawned. “I cannot wait until there is no worry left about the curse and life becomes more peaceful like this moment.”
“I am as impatient as you are for that,” he agreed, keeping her tucked close against him.
She tilted her head to look at him. “I am happy with you, and I know Elysia is happy with Lord Odran. I fear Bliss will never find happiness with Lord Rannick, but I do hope and pray that when the curse is broken, she can at least find peace.”
Silence grew around them and they hugged tight as they drifted off to sleep, ready to continue their quest tomorrow.
The horrific screams bounced off the trees in the thick forest, sending the echo far into the distance. Birds took flight, animals ran, and even the sun took cover behind a dark gray cloud.
A huge hand clamped over the small bairn’s face when she opened her mouth to cry out, sending a fright through her.
“Silence,” the voice warned in a whisper, “or her screams will not stop.”