Chapter 42: In This Together

AYLETH

Her entire body hummed. Like she had sneezed but… from the very core of her. And so much better. This was what her mother had been talking about—she knew that now. And she was mightily pleased to learn that this was something they could repeat. But her heart was heavy—as gorgeous and satisfied as she felt, Etan was tense and struggling, his eyes dark with a wild light. He shook, but not in the throes of pleasure as she had.

No, he had been held back.

Her father had discussed—at length—the drive men had for this. The lengths to which they would go.

He hadn't excused Lord Vitren, but he had warned Ayleth to understand that Roarke may not be the last man to attempt to take her.

"The drive can be… near painful," he'd said.

And here was Etan, his brow furrowed and glistening with sweat, and his body tense.

"Is it the same for you?" she asked carefully. "Is there… can I do that to you?"