“But threatening them will not work, and you know that. I agree we have a huge problem, and the threat is growing by the day. Still, we need to convince them it is the right thing to do.”
After a little more discussion, everyone filed out but his father. He said nothing, just studied Nico.
“What?”
“You do know your life is now changed?”
“Is this where you give me some fatherly advice?” he asked, worried that was just what his father was about to do.
“No, not truly. I know that Cordelia does not understand her situation, and while your mother thinks we should have told her before the wedding, I disagree. You will have your hands full tomorrow morning trying to explain everything. Just don’t forget you have a family to help you through.”
He nodded.
“And remember, a woman does not make you weak. In fact, binding with the right woman can make a man stronger than he ever expected.”
With that his father left him alone. It was the first time that day he had several moments to himself. His father knew of Nico’s declaration not to bind. It was not something he ever wanted to do. He would have disagreed with his father’s comment, but did not out of respect. Binding with a mate made you vulnerable. She would become the center of his world.
Worry had his head throbbing. A regular Carrier would be upset if he did not bind with her tonight, but Cordelia knew nothing of their world. And binding to him would not be advisable. It was possible he would be injured in this war he felt approaching. He could not risk her life that way.
He walked back to the ballroom and immediately found her. It was easy enough for him. Even before drinking from her he was empathic to her presence. He watched her and wondered what she was thinking. The expression on her face was one of amusement, and much better than the sadness he had witnessed earlier. Her loneliness had struck him hard, and his protective instincts took control.
She must have sensed him. Her gaze met his across the room of people. The crowd melted away, and it was as if only the two of them were there. He could not stop the smile that curved his lips thinking of the night ahead of them. She had already proven to be a match for his sensual needs, and he looked forward to teaching her. Her cheeks pinkened, and for the first time that day, his heart felt light.
With determination, he made his way through the crowd. It was time he claimed his mate.
Chapter Ten
Cordelia stared at herself in the mirror. Who was the woman staring back at her?
She recognized pieces of herself. The long tangle of curls dripped over her shoulders. That was normal. The blue eyes, the same face, but there was something different. She knew that part of it was the nightdress she was wearing.
Adelaide had insisted on buying her the most decadent silk negligee she had ever seen. What was she thinking? She had never really paid attention to such things before. Plain linen had been fine for her, until she found herself married.
The neckline dipped low between her breasts, revealing more than it concealed. It was not even stitched up the side. Instead, it tied closed, easy to undo.
She shut her eyes. It had been bad enough shopping for her nightclothes with Adelaide. Having her try to explain what would happen on her wedding night had been painful. Cordelia had come to the realization that her mother-in-law had no embarrassment talking of personal things.
She opened her eyes and looked at herself again. Her hands were fisted on the table in front of her. Her ring sparkled in the light. It wasn’t new. The design spoke of another era, and she wondered at the age of it. It looked as if it had come from another world. Two bands of gold twisted together, then knotted in the center. A ruby sat atop the knot. There was wording, but she could not read the ancient text.
“I hope you like it. It has been in the family for many years.”
At the sound of his voice, she turned around and saw him standing behind her. How such a big man seemed to move without making a sound was beyond her. And at that moment, she truly couldn’t think of anything. He was wearing a pair of silk pants and a robe. He had left it untied, allowing her to see his bare chest.
“Cordelia?”
“What?” She tore her gaze away from his chest and then raised it to meet his. “Oh, the ring. It is very beautiful.”
“It was my grandmother’s.”
She held her hand against her chest. “Oh.”
She did not know what to say to that. It meant so much more to her now, but she had a feeling if she said that to Nico, he would ignore it, or worse, pity her. She barely knew the man. His entire life was a mystery to her, but there was something about him that made her want to be with him. "Such a serious expression," Nico said, drawing her attention back to him. "What are you thinking about?"
She wanted to lie and say nothing because that is what another woman would do. She could not. Cordelia was horrible at lying, and for some reason, she knew she could not lie to Nico.
"That I don't know you."
He nodded. "I don't know you either, but that is not so different from other married people much of the time."
She sighed. "Yes, but for a man it is different. You have more power, more freedom."
He frowned as he swirled the brandy in his glass, stopping to take a drink. "You will have your freedom."
She blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
"I am not a man who thinks that you have to answer to me all the time."
"And you do not have to answer to me."
Which meant, as she knew most powerful men always did, he would have his affairs.
"I can see wheels turning in that pretty head of yours, but I think that you need not worry about those things tonight. We can work out the details on how we will get on later."
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. His breath feathered over her flesh a moment before they made contact. The small gesture sent a sizzle of heat racing up her arm and then spread throughout her body. He looked up at her. His smile dissolved as his eyes turned dark. Her own body was already responding. It was odd that this man could make her want things she had never even fathomed before meeting him.
Not true. She had thought about the marriage bed but had never thought she would have to worry about it. Now she was ready to jump in headfirst, although there was a little bit of fear along with the excitement.
"I would love to know what goes on in that head of yours."
She smiled. "It is never all that interesting."
"I find everything about you interesting."
At first, she wanted to push aside the words. He couldn't truly mean it, could he? Most men disdained her thoughts or that she had a mind of her own. But from the serious look on his face, he really cared. Cordelia could not help the thrill of knowing that, at least to Nico, she was interesting. And, at this moment, that was all that mattered.
"Come," he said gently, and tugged her along to the bed. He waited for her to sit down and then took the place beside her. This time there was no hesitation in him. He leaned next to her and kissed her neck, right on the pulse point. Instantly, her body heated as she felt something strange and exciting tug at her. Nico continued to kiss her neck, then kissed a path up to her mouth. He cupped her face and without closing his eyes, he took her mouth.
She felt his tongue gliding over her lips then he pulled back. "Open up for me, love. Let me inside."
She didn't hesitate. She opened her mouth and closed her eyes. His tongue darted in and she could taste the brandy he'd had at the reception.
He eased her back on the mattress as he hovered over her, still kissing her. All her worries seemed to slide away as her body took over her mind. Heat as she had never before felt went racing through her blood. Her body pulsed with a need she did not know she had ever had before. His fingers traced her jawline, and she wanted them to move lower. Her breasts ached, her nipples almost painfully so. She arched up, offering her body to him, wanting to feel his hands move over her flesh.
&
nbsp; As if he understood, he slipped his hand down her neck to her breasts, his mouth following the same path. She thought he would pull her flimsy nightdress away, but he did not. Instead, he set his mouth atop the fabric and teased her nipple. The sensation of the wet fabric sliding over her was amazing. She had thought it would give her some kind of relief, but it did not. Instead, as he continued to alternately lick and suck at her, the ache in her breasts increased. Before he was done, he had teased both her breasts. Her stomach muscles tightened as he slid his way down her body. He made easy work of her gown, pulling it up and over her head. Then he kissed a path down her belly. With each touch of his mouth, her stomach quivered. He nipped at her skin, then licked it.
Heat surged, and her head spun.
Just as several nights ago, she was shocked, but she now knew what to expect. He set his mouth upon her sex as he slipped his tongue inside of her. The tension in her stomach tightened. Everything in her wanted something, some kind of release into pleasure, just as she had in the library days before. She lost all sense of time. The only thing she was aware of was the feel of his tongue against her most private parts. She grew slick with anticipation, and her heart was galloping out of control. Biting her bottom lip, she tried to hold back the moan vibrating in her throat.
Nico must have sensed it. He growled against her, the tremors skimming over her flesh. He said nothing as he moved his mouth up to the tiny bundle of nerves. She flinched as a jolt shot through her. He slipped a finger into her, then bit down gently. Then, in the next instant, the tension burst free. A rush of heat danced over her nerve endings as she slipped her hands into his hair. Wave after wave of ecstasy crashed through her, and she was helpless to do anything but accept it.
As she floated down, she opened her eyes. Nico had thrown off his robe and was clawing at his pants. It was so unlike him that for a moment she couldn’t react. This was not the practiced seducer she had known from a few nights ago.
“Nico?”
When he looked up at here, his eyes were brighter, somehow more entrancing to her than before. With more confidence than she was feeling, she reached up and cupped his face. For a moment, he did not do anything, but then he turned into her palm. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. The act of it was simple, but she felt shaken to her core. It was something so basic and primal.
She felt his mouth open against her palm and then the flick of his tongue. Cordelia shivered.
“I can’t seem to get you out of my mind.”
He said it as if he were confessing some horrible sin. And maybe he was. The man had been a confirmed bachelor until that afternoon.
“Is that such a problem?”
He looked down at her. “There are things about me, things I must do that you will never understand. In truth, I doubt you will ever understand me.”
There was something behind the words that she couldn’t quite detect. And before she could, he leaned down against her again.
He bent his head and took her mouth again. The urgency was there, but it was somewhat tamed as he had regained his control. His tongue invaded her mouth. It was still a bit odd, but the heat that he had built before started to rekindle. Her body was apparently ready for more…of what she did not know.
He continued to kiss her as he slipped between her legs. The ache he had satisfied before was back, pounding through her blood. She felt something prodding at her sex then felt the intrusion. She had grown up in the country and had spent time around horse breeding, so she expected this. She felt full, as if she would not be able to handle it.
But as he continued to kiss her and touch her, any worries she had slid away. He pulled back from her for a second and hovered, his mouth over hers.
“I’m sorry, Cordelia.”
She did not know what he was apologizing for until he thrust further into her. A sharp shard of pain wound through her, erasing some of the pleasure. But then he moved again and the pain began dissipating, being replaced with the pleasure of having him inside of her.
“Nothing but satisfaction now.”
She opened her eyes and found him staring at her again. She slipped her hand up to the back of his head and pulled him down for a kiss. This time, Cordelia opened her mouth immediately. He dove into her and she sucked on his tongue. A shudder moved through him. He groaned and began to move faster and faster. The bed squeaked and shook with the force of his thrusts.
Nico was mumbling to himself as he kissed a path down her neck. She felt the first scrape of teeth against her flesh, then the flat of his tongue. Something moved through her, as if she had moved into a dream, her flesh numb. She felt a prick into her flesh, and for a moment she thought he had bitten her. Nico thrust into her one more time, sending her over into ecstasy again. Cordelia arched up against him, screaming his name. Nico stilled, groaning with gratification as he poured himself into her.
Her body continued to feel as if she were floating on a cloud. Nico collapsed on top of her. He was so heavy, but it didn’t matter to her. She would tell him to move in a minute.
It was her last thought that night.
* * * *
Nico watched her sleep, his body fulfilled for the moment. For a woman who seemed so animated at times, it was odd to see her still. He brushed back a silken curl from her forehead. She frowned in her sleep, and he couldn’t help but smile. She looked so cute. Nico knew that she would not like that term, but in this he could assure himself he was correct. She turned to him and cuddled closer.
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. She was his mate now, officially. Tomorrow, the explanations would be given, but for the moment, he enjoyed the way she had her head on his shoulder, and her small hand over his chest where his heartbeat.
He knew then, without any doubt, he would protect her to the death. He just hoped that when he explained what her new life would be, that she would understand why he had married her first.
In their world there was no way around it. They were mated, and she would have to accept it.
Chapter Eleven
Malik looked down the hallway and watched Gray pace. He had been like this since Malik arrived.
The door opened, and Gray came to a stop. Malik stood.
The diminutive figure of Dr. Bingam slipped out the door, and he shut it behind him.
He looked at both men with surprise.
“She’s alive and more than likely will stay that way,” Dr. Bingam said.
“But she has not regained her senses,” Malik said. He did not have to be told. He knew an attack like the one she had dealt with would take days, if not weeks to recover from.
The doctor shook his head. “Sleep is best. Have her parents been notified?”
Malik looked to Gray. A look of disgust moved over his expression. “Yes. They have told me they no longer have a daughter.”
Now he understood. The bastard parents thought they had lost a commodity. It was not that much of a problem in their world for her to no longer be pure—but to have been tainted by a Made could be devastating.
“Can you tell us anything else?” Gray asked.
“She’s a fighter. A lesser woman would have just submitted, but this one did not. And she saved herself. After I had the midwife in last night, I am almost certain she wasn’t raped. She fought back so hard that he didn’t have time to finish his task.”
“What should we do?” Gray asked.
“I think it’s best to get a woman to look after her. That way she will not feel so threatened when she wakes up. And I am sure that your family or the Blackburns will help her once she heals. She will need a new life somewhere.”
From the look on Gray’s face, he did not look like he would allow her to leave. Before the duke could embarrass himself, Malik stepped in.
“With Mrs. Blackburn in town, I am sure she can take care of her when she is well enough.”
“Yes, of course. Mrs. Blackburn. Well, I am off. The Fredricksons are expecting me.”
The doctor left them alone. Malik waited for Gray to say something, but he just kept staring at the door.
“I can go by to see Nico, although I’m fairly confident he won’t be happy about it. I can bring back Mrs. Blackburn. She was a comfort I think last night even though the woman was barely alive.”
Gray nodded without taking his gaze from the door. “Empathy from another female Carrier will help.”
“Gray.”
He didn’t even acknowledge Malik.
“Gray.”
He finally turned his attention from the door. “What?”
“I’m going to the Blackburn’s home right now. I will bring his mother back with me.”
Gray nodded. “I guess that will be best.”
“Is there something wrong?”
Gray shook his head. “No, just…the woman. To think what she has gone through and survived—most men would not have been able to think in a situation like that. Admirable.”
Malik nodded. “Remember that when she awakens.”
“Why?”
“I have a feeling she isn’t going to be very receptive to any of us for a long time.”
With that he headed off to the Blackburn’s townhouse. Interrupting Nico’s honeymoon was not something he looked forward to, but once he was done with it, he might be able to get some sleep.
* * * *
Cordelia awakened slowly. She stretched her arms over her head and winced. She was sore in places, especially between her legs. She opened her eyes and found the room dark. There was a little bit of sun peeking through heavy drapes.
It took just a second for Cordelia to remember where she was. Nico’s house. No, her house. She lived here now. How did she go from being plain old Cordelia to being Nicodemus Blackburn’s wife?
Before she could answer the question, the doors opened and a maid’s head poked in.
“Ahh, Lady Cordelia, you are awake.”
She slipped into the room. Cordelia started to sit up but then realized she wasn’t wearing anything. She pulled the bed linens up to her neck.
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