I glance around at the empty room, wondering how Agakor is possibly going to sneak past his guards at the end of the hall. There's no other way into the solar. But maybe he intends for his men to see that he's here with me? Maybe they'll keep his secrets? I wish I knew. I find a striker and light a candle, but the room remains as shadowy as ever. It's dark outside and the moonlight isn't angled to illuminate the room through the window. Anxious, I sit at the window seat…and cough. It's dusty here. It's clear no lady has been in this room since the last one left, and I haven't had a chance to have the servants sent here to clean up yet. I fan my hand in front of my face, waiting for the dust to settle. From here, there's a good view of the muddy courtyard below, and I see a few torches moving back and forth, probably our guests getting situated for the night.
There's a creak behind me, the groan of a door opening, and I jump to my feet.
To my surprise, the door to the solar is closed, but I could have sworn I'd heard someone come in. "Hello?"
"Iolanthe?" The hushed voice is Agakor, but it's not coming from the direction of the doors, but the far wall, thick in the shadows.
"Where are you?" I whisper, moving over to pick up the candle I'd set on a nearby table. "How did you get in?"
He emerges from the shadows, his craggy face ghoulish in the candlelight. He grins down at me, and even though he's hideous, my heart melts. "Secret passage. Only a few know about its existence. This way we can meet and your reputation will be intact."
Like I give a damn about my reputation. We're to be married in a few days’ time. I set down the candle again, and when he takes a step forward, I fling myself into his arms.
Agakor makes a sound of surprise, but then his arms go around my waist and he's kissing me. His tusks brush against my lips and it feels strange, but it also feels good. It feels like him. I let out a little sound of contentment as I wrap my arms around his neck and give myself over to his mouth. I kiss him with quick, frantic nips, as if we're going to be caught and pulled apart. "How long do we have?"
"How long do you want?" he asks, his hands roaming over my waist as he kisses me back. "What is it you want to do?"
"Everything," I tell him eagerly.
He groans, the sound turning into a chuckle. "My sweet, eager bride. I would love to thoroughly debauch you right here and now, but you deserve better for your first time. Let's just enjoy each other for a bit, shall we? Can I make you feel good? Like I did last night?"
When his mouth was between my thighs? I shiver with excitement. "You want to do that again?"
"My mouth has watered all day just imagining it."
"What about you? What pleasure do you get if we do that?"
He chuckles again. "You don't think it's pleasure enough?" His big hand skims down my skirts and squeezes one cheek of my backside. "You don't think I get intense enjoyment out of licking you and watching you squirm on my tongue?"
I'm panting at the thought. "I loved it. I want to do it again."
"Excellent. I like having a lusty wife," he tells me, hauling me up against him and leading me to the solar window.
A new thought occurs to me. If he puts his mouth between my thighs, can I do the same to him? I remember how he showed me his cock so I wouldn't be afraid, and how hot and velvety he felt. "Can I touch you again? Between your legs?"
He groans. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."
But the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I know all about my body—I'm far more curious to learn his. "You don't want me to touch you?"
My disappointment must be evident. Agakor's breathing becomes ragged and he rubs my arm. "Love, of course I do. I nearly came when you touched me before. But I thought you wanted me to pleasure you."
"I do," I tell him, breathless. "I liked it! But I want to touch you. You gave me pleasure last night. Can I do the same for you?"
The sound he makes is pained. "If I didn't know your father better, I'd say you're too good to be true."
I'm stung at this and draw back. I feel as if I've crossed some line that I didn't know existed, and I've been rebuffed. It hurts. "Oh? Should I not have asked?"
He hurriedly takes me in his arms again, pressing sweet kisses to my face. "That's not it at all, sweetheart. Gods, you think I wouldn't want that? It's just that we have to steal our time together. Wouldn't you rather me pleasure you?"