Read Online His Highness the Duke by Michelle M. Pillow - Free Book Online

lifted her. Aeron felt
    herself on the brink of pushing down. A moment of confusion passed between them.
    The length of his shaft found it‘s opening, probing just inside the depths.
    Something rational tried to work its way into her brain, but the thought never
    fully formed. Everything centered on that moment and the next blissful sensation. At
    the same second he closed his eyes and pulled her down onto his shaft, she released the
    tension in her legs and pressed down to take him in. The thick probe of his shaft
    stretched her.
    Aeron moaned. He rocked gently, still holding on to her hips. Her body had been
    teased to the point of explosion, and now the rocking pressure of him inside her pushed
    her over the edge. She gave a soft cry as she climaxed. It was unlike anything she‘d ever
    felt. Her muscles squeezed him tight as her entire length tensed. He lifted her a little bit
    and then dropped her down. Bron jerked with release, joining her climax. Time refused
    to move and they stayed frozen in that position for a long time. It was perfection.

    * * * * *
    The gods were going to curse them.
    What had he done? Their marriage was cursed.
    Bron stared at Aeron‘s face, watching the ultimate pleasure become replaced by
    stunned horror. She must have felt it, too. They were not supposed to fully join this
    night. The Breeding Festival was meant as a night of discovery only. If the others found
    out what they had done, his honor would be tarnished. Bron closed his eyes. His honor
    was already tarnished. He knew what they‘d done.
    Aeron slowly pulled off his body. ―What have I done?‖
    Bron instantly rolled to sitting, cupping her face in his hands to stop her when
    she would get of the bed. She paused, looking at him. Her pale face and stricken
    expression tore at his insides, compounding his guilt. She was his bride. She had every
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    reason to trust him to protect her and he‘d failed. First, he‘d been so preoccupied trying
    not to hope for a bride that he‘d missed her in the receiving line. Then, he didn‘t try
    harder to explain about the removal of the mask when she asked him if he could remove
    it and not be married. He should have clarified that if she removed the mask it would
    bind her to him no matter what happened, but he‘d been desperate to seal their union.
    Third, and perhaps the most grievous offense to their now joined honor, was the fact he
    had taken her fully on their wedding night.
    She had only known him for a short time and in that short time he‘d failed her,
    failed himself, failed his family. She‘d tested him with her body and he‘d failed. The
    weight of it pressed in on him. He was the High Duke of Draig, held to the highest of
    standards. He was to be an example to his people. Perhaps this is why the gods made
    him wait so many years for a bride. They knew he was not worthy. They knew he
    would fail. And finally, after all that waiting, he‘d proven the fears of the gods right. He
    failed.
    Failed.
    No wonder she was looking at him like that. She had bound herself to a man
    with tarnished honor. She had trusted him.
    Failed.
    ―I will set this right,‖ Bron swore. He brushed the hair from her face as he held
    her cheeks in his hands, keeping his eyes on hers. ―The gods will not curse us. I will
    atone. I will make this right. They will understand that I waited so long for you. I will
    repair my honor for you if it takes the rest of my days, Aeron. I swear it on my life.‖
    She still didn‘t move. He wasn‘t even sure she heard him. She blinked once,
    twice, but that was it.
    ―Remain here.‖ He wanted to kiss her, but he didn‘t dare. ―I will come back for
    you in the morning. I will take care of everything. I will make this right.‖
    Bron grabbed his loincloth and hurried from the tent. He wasn‘t sure how he
    would keep his promise, but he would find a way. By all the gods, he would find a way.
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    * * * * *
    Aeron