Rose Bound: The Rose and King series Book 1

by J. J. Marshall

  Lips met his with equal hunger, moving in rhythm with his own. Blood, delicious blood, trickled into Gavin’s mouth, shuddering his body with a primal response. Gavin’s fingers knotted into auburn locks as his tongue explored her mouth. A moan escaped her lips and she moved into Gavin’s lap, spreading her legs, straddling him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Gavin’s hands roamed her body. The sheer material of her dress was doing little to hide her curves. Gavin’s hands explored greedily.

  Gavin moved from her mouth, the need within him surging. He kissed her neck, trailing his tongue in small circles as he made his way down to her breasts. His shaft leaped, hard and needy with excitement against her soft body.

  Oh fuck…

  Her skin pebbled, her nipple hardening as Gavin took it into his mouth. She moaned again. He made work out of tugging and sucking and teasing her. His fingers pulled at her skirt, lifting it above her thighs until his hand slipped beneath.

  Her skin was smooth and warm against his touch, and Gavin smirked as his hands rested on her waist, noting the lack of underwear.

  Goddess, fuck. He smirked before grabbing a handful of ass.

  “You’re so focused,” Kail mused. Gavin stopped again and lifted his face from her body.

  “No talking. I don’t like talking when I’m—”

  “Trying to fuck your meal?”

  “Trying to let off some steam,” Gavin growled. Her body shook with laughter as she pulled his face back to hers. Their lips grazed before Gavin tilted her head to the side exposing her carotid artery to him. His member leaped again, the anticipation killing him. “May I?” Gavin’s voice was husky with want.

  “You may,” she said, surprised by the question.

  Gavin sighed, plunging his fangs into her exposed neck. Delicious blood leaked down from her wound to stain the fabric of her shift, tangy and sweet and oh, goddess, was it good. Gavin’s eyes closed, his hands ridding her of clothing as he drank. His head spun, his erection throbbing as he pulled back.

  “Stand up,” he whispered, watching her push off of him. He marveled at her unscathed body, the softness of it. Most bloodwhores in Elirion were not so lucky.

  He stood slowly, peeling off his finely pressed shirt and laid it on the arm of the loveseat. Wistful eyes watched him, her chest heaving, breaths ragged. Slowly, Gavin released his trousers and stepped out of them before placing them next to his shirt. He took her gently by the hand, kissing the pulse point on her wrist. Cutting his eyes up at her, he silently asked for access to her veins.

  She gulped and nodded her head. A quiet cry escaped her lips as fangs pierced her wrist, her body writhed. Gavin’s tongue lapped at the blood pooling into his mouth. He groaned, pleasure filling his body. His knees quaked, giving out beneath him, collapsing the pair onto the couch. Gavin pulled her between his knees and stopped drinking. He looked up at the halo of red hair that cascaded around them in a veil and peered into eager eyes.

  “Do you want me?” he purred. Kail’s pupils dilated.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  Gavin flashed a toothy smile, his gaze flicking to the blood oozing from his bite mark. He licked his lips and released his member without taking his eyes off her. The bloodwhore smiled and lowered herself onto his shaft, riding Gavin as he fed.

  Ecstasy wracked his body, sending Gavin into overdrive as Kail increased her pace. Her moans echoed through the room like music to his ears. Pleasure built as Gavin’s muscles began tensing.

  Harder.

  Deeper.

  Gavin licked and sucked at Kail’s wrist, growing heady with blood, the need within him about to release when a knock at the door halted them both.

  Kail hissed her disapproval as Gavin tried to retract himself in more ways than one. She gripped his shoulders, urging him to ignore it. His eyes turned cloudy as he thrusted up, drawing a deep moan from her. Reluctantly, he picked her up as he stood and lightly tossed her onto the bed a few paces away.

  “Don’t move,” he said. Leaving her pouting, he stood gloriously naked and strode for the door.

  “What?” he rasped, voice thick with blood. Clearing his throat, he tried again more forcefully, “What?”

  Before Gavin could stop it, the door flew open and there stood Lorelei in all her wickedly beautiful splendor. She clucked her tongue, eyeing him up and down, taking in his form. All of his form. Then her gaze traveled to the blood-soaked woman stark naked on the bed. Her lips pulled into a devilish grin and her eyes flashed with a mischievous look Gavin knew well. This was not going to end well for him.

  “I see you’re having fun,” she sneered, her accent hanging heavy between them. Flashes of her splayed before him, peppering his vision. Gavin shook them away quickly.

  “What do you want, Lore?” he asked, reining in his temper. The veins in his temple pulsed. She was already on his last nerve.

  “Tsk, tsk, my love. If you were needy, you should have called a real woman to your service.” Lorelei poked out her lip, tapping it with her pointer finger. Gavin rolled his red-rimmed eyes.

  “And what woman would that be?” He leaned into her, letting Kail’s blood slip from his mouth to land on her shoulder. Lorelei, to her credit, did not so much as flinch.

  “Oh posh, you’re so fun to fuck with when you’re horny,” she purred.

  “Now, are you gonna tell me why you’re interrupting?” Gavin asked, shifting his voice into a gravelly whisper.

  Lorelei’s face paled even more, if that were possible, and met his gaze. “Uh, of course. Daddy wants to see you,” she replied, her voice faltering at the lust still in his eyes. “Now,” she amended and stepped around him to leave the room. “Oh, and Gavin, she likes the tiniest nibbles, just here.” She made an “x” shape just below her billowing breasts where the curve started. She winked at Kail before disappearing down the hall. Gavin stared after her for a moment, perplexed. Then it occurred to him that Kail had probably visited Lorelei at some point.

  She had brought it to his attention in the hopes that it would deter him. Or perhaps turn him on further. Little did she know, he didn’t care with whom she fucked. He turned back to the delectable redhead and grinned.

  “Now, where were we?” he asked and closed the door.

  Gavin smoothed the velvet of his doublet and took a deep breath before pushing the large wooden doors to the council room open. This wasn’t going to be pleasant. For him, or anyone. After fully sating himself, his mind was clearer than it had been in a while. He could do this.

  He’d take his throne and then set to finding the bastard that murdered his parents. That was his plan. Concrete or not, it was what he needed at that moment. His parents’ deaths were why he was here, after all.

  The council room remained just as Gavin remembered it. Tapestries of red velvet hung from the cool slate walls, painting his family lineage in golden thread, ending with Aurora. Gavin’s breath hitched as he took in the long, smooth, mahogany table his father had custom made for the room, big enough to fit all the council members and then some. The surface glistened in the flickering candlelight, reflecting back images above. Maps and drawings of the realm lay scattered at one end, where the male council members stood, peering over each other as they talked in rapid low voices.

  “Haunting, isn’t it?” Declan said from beside Gavin, tearing his attention away from his thoughts. Gavin turned and narrowed his gaze as he took in his younger brother.

  “You have no idea.”

  He steadied his breath and slowly walked to his father’s chair nestled at the end where the council stood. The voices around him died as all eyes were on him. Each member moved to their prospective seats, bowing their head as he passed—a sign of respect that he did not deserve.

  “You smell like you were having fun, my lord,” Zachary Coston, head of the Coston coven, noted aloud and shot Gavin a wink. Ah yes, there it was, the shit he’d expected. Gavin remained silent as he looked the lord up and down.

  Zachary’s hair riva
led that of his daughters as it shone in the brazier light. Piercing blue eyes held Gavin to the floor. His sharp features and clean face gave him the aloof appearance that his name demanded. Business and pleasure. Two things that Gavin knew he’d likely experienced in his home deep within the Pits.

  “He smells like sex,” a stern baritone voice cut in, sounding mildly irritated. Gavin looked to his right, into the dark eyes of Tobias Bloodworth, Lorelei’s father. His hair was much longer since the last time Gavin had seen him, grazing his chin in a sheet of black. His eyes were the same cat-like eyes that his daughter had, ones that knew secrets. Ones that held lies.

  “Well, I should certainly hope so,” Lorelei purred as she waltzed into the meeting room. Still clad in her riding leathers, Lorelei looked as strong as she sounded.

  “He was balls deep and practically mid-thrust when I walked in on him and—” She stopped there, a wicked grin etched on her lips. “Oh, but never mind that,” she played, tossing her hand as though his sexual experiences were of no consequence. Gavin could feel his head about to explode. His sexual exploits were on display and it was making him rather uncomfortable. Gritting his teeth, Gavin licked at his fangs as he attempted to keep his anger at bay.

  “Next on the agenda,” he growled. Lorelei’s satisfied expression made him wish he could take the words back, but they were in the past, like much of his regrets.

  “Yes, there is a particular matter up for discussion,” Tobias Bloodworth said, lounging in his chair, thrumming his fingertips before him. He leaned back and crossed his ankles as he propped his leather boots up on the table.

  Gavin reluctantly shifted his gaze to the man. “And what might that be?” he asked, ignoring the blatant insolence.

  “Your betrothal.” His voice was clipped and short, something that told Gavin that the matter was not up for debate. His betrothal… betrothal? No. Just no. Gavin’s stomach churned at the thought, twisting and knotting on itself. He wasn’t ready to marry. Fuck, he wasn’t ready for any of this. Kail’s scent still hung on him and the covens wanted to talk about marriage?

  “Next,” Gavin grunted.

  “I should say not, Sinclair. The king and queen are dead. The realm is at risk and per our bylaws an heir is to take the throne. You, being that heir. And should you take the throne, a queen is to rule at your side. Hence, a Rose Bound ceremony must ensue in order to seal the deal.”

  “I thought the Rose Bound ceremony served two purposes?” Lorelei inquired.

  “Indeed,” Tobias replied. “An heir must undergo the ceremony in order to strengthen the magic used to hold Limos in prison. And dare I say, I know just the right candidate for queen.”

  Zachary laughed lightly. “You honestly believe a Bloodworth is going to mate with a Sinclair, Tobias?” Gavin could hear blood boiling in the room. He could feel the tension coat them. “Dahlia is the next to bed a royal after your daughter fumbled her chance.”

  “However, she is mysteriously missing,” Tobias countered. Zachary Coston clicked his long nails on the wooden table and crossed an ankle on his knee.

  “Rose would be the next reasonable alternative,” he replied. Murmurs echoed through the room as Gavin stilled. Not Rose. Not the blonde minx that had paid Ollie to throw his fight.

  “Lord Coston, I think the covenants my father made, died with him. So again, next order of business,” Gavin said, clearing his throat.

  “Your father did not make the bylaws, boy,” Zachary grumbled. “Your father was not above the laws set in place by the goddess and neither are you.”

  “Oh, Gav, you need a mate,” Declan replied, leaning against the wall not far from where he sat. “If I remember correctly, since you snubbed the lovely Lady Lorelei, I highly advise you to take Lord Coston up on his offer. Dahlia is a fucking fox. Rose can’t be far behind.”

  Lorelei clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “What do those bitches have that I don’t, Declan?”

  “Last I remember,” Declan continued, as a sly grin forming on his lips, “sweet little Rose had a nice mouth and it sure did the trick on my cock.” Gavin moved before Declan could gather what happened. His fingers curled into fist and reeled back, colliding into Declan’s jaw before he could finish. He felt his Ripper surfacing, begging to be released.

  Kill him.

  “Shut your fucking face, Declan. Before I break it,” he growled. Declan flew backwards, his body hitting the wall with an explosive impact. The wall cracked and dust flew into the air, floating lazily in the candlelight. Declan stood and rubbed his chin before spitting blood onto the mahogany table. The room fell silent.

  “Oh then, you’ve already had a taste?” Declan sneered. His eyes grew wicked, challenging Gavin.

  Kill him.

  Gavin’s face heated as adrenaline pumped through his veins, threatening to overcome his better judgment. The monster within him roiled in the deepest recesses of his mind, growing closer to the surface. He would not let Declan speak ill of Rose or Dahlia or any other woman for that matter. He’d beat the living shit out of him.

  Kill him!

  Lorelei’s hand rested on his shoulder, trailing down his arm as she sauntered over toward Declan. She leaned in, whispering in his ear before flicking her tongue out to lick at his earlobe. Lorelei eyed Gavin over her shoulder, baiting him. But he wouldn’t give in.

  They wanted to sabotage Gavin and turn the council against him. Again. Gavin’s lip curled upwards as he let out a snicker, shaking his chocolate locks into his eyes.

  “Lorelei, get a room if you must. Bed whom you’d like. It makes no difference to me. But this is a place for the men to work. If you want to look pretty, then do it silently. If you want to moan, then leave.” She scowled back at him, pressing her full chest into Declan’s side. If jealousy was what she wanted, she would be miserably mistaken. “Oh, and you can take him with you.” Gavin made a shooing motion with his hand. Her answering scowl was all too delightful.

  “The Coven doctrine demands a binding ceremony before a leader can take their throne, your Lordship.” Lord Linden Barclay spoke for the first time, looking wide-eyed and half crazed. “You must choose a ceremonial bride. After that, bed more if you must. But, sire, a royal babe must be born to secure the family line.”

  Gavin sputtered, “A-a babe?”

  “Well, yes. The line must continue,” Linden replied.

  “I think we can safely skip that for now. Moving on.” Gavin steepled his fingers and focused his gaze on their tips.

  “But, sire…”

  “I said drop it!” Gavin roared.

  Linden froze, mouth agape. Gavin shifted his gaze around the table, eyeing each coven leader up and down.

  “Is my daughter not good enough for you, sire?” Lord Coston replied. “Is she so beneath you that you cannot fathom the idea of her carrying your spawn?”

  “It’s not that, I can assure you.” Gavin allowed images of Rose to flood his mind, bringing up memories long since forgotten and grinned.

  “Then is it your sympathies with the humans that prevent you from accepting the betrothal? Surely, you wouldn’t think we would agree to let them live freely? After all, we do need to eat and fuck.”

  Gavin remained silent. If he answered wrong, he was screwed.

  “No, but—”

  “Then, it’s settled. Gavin accepts the betrothal and we can begin preparations for the ceremony at once,” Lord Coston replied before pushing from his seat. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, business calls.”

  “Sit back down, Zachary. The boy has yet to decide upon his bride,” Linden hissed, cutting a lethal look in the noble’s direction.

  “Rose,” Gavin replied, releasing a heavy sigh. “I choose Rosalie.” And for the first time in years, he felt he’d truly damned her.

  Light

  Something was wrong. The air thrummed with life, movement, where none had been for centuries. She rubbed at her eyes and blinked. The light separating her from Darkness flickered, exposing his pri
son to her only for a moment.

  “Your magic is running out, Sorceress,” a sultry male voice crooned, taking a step forward. His hands rested on the white bars of his cell. It was impossible though, a Rose ceremony had commenced not long ago, unless... unless a pair of rulers had died.

  “Oh, hush up! Your yammering bores me. Besides, light still holds you captive.” But the light around them flickered again. A handsome lip curled into a grin.

  “What wickedness shall I reap upon the world tonight, my demon of light? For it is my time to reign.”

  14

  Rose

  Rose averted her eyes from Ollie’s deliciously bare body and left the gang of bandits in the woods. Dawn approached on the purple-grey sky as the sun’s rays crept through the treetops onto the forest floor. Dew glistened on green leaves, and twigs snapped beneath her boots as a slight morning breeze filtered through the air carrying hints of wild jasmine and honeysuckle to their keen noses.

  With a hammering heart, Rose focused on calming her body. She was sure Ollie heard it. Tucking her chin low to her bosom, she stole a side-glance at the wolf. He wore a sleepy grin on his lips, biting at his lower one.

  Rose’s eyes traveled down from his face, watching the sweat bead down his tanned skin. Watching as it rolled down his solid pectorals into a valley of chiseled blood-covered abs. Rose licked at her lips, noting the parched feeling in her mouth. She wanted this wolf with every fiber of her being. But, how had it gotten to this? How had she landed herself in the company of a werewolf? How had she begun to feel things she knew she shouldn’t? Things that defied the laws of nature?

  Rose huffed out a sigh. She knew the answer. She remembered meeting him. She remembered the flex of every muscle and scent of his sweat in the Underground air.