πŸ“š the fall of the wolf Part 4 of 11
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EROTIC NOVELS

The Fall Of The Wolf Ch 04

The Fall Of The Wolf Ch 04

by haremgirlreturns
20 min read
4.74 (5400 views)
adultfiction

As Rafe gradually came back to awareness, he gave a pained moan. His head was throbbing, and it felt as if it might crack open at any moment. His head felt as large as a melon. The swaying motion he was feeling was not helping matters. Combined with the pounding in his head, he thought it just might cause him to throw up.

Rafe tried to swallow, but his mouth felt like it was full of sawdust. He took a deep breath, trying to ease his nausea, and the smell of sweet jasmine and clean woman wafted through his nose. That scent was startlingly familiar. His eyes opened instantly, and they locked with the warm sherry eyes directly across from him.

Queen Eleta sat watching him with a delicate frown on her face. Rafe blinked and shook his head to clear it, ignoring the fresh stabs of pain the movement caused. His own brows drew together in the fiercest of scowls. He braced an arm on the seat of the coach and slowly sat up, eyeing her warily the whole time.

Little did he know that the queen's thoughts were focused on their brief encounter in the library. She had not intended to let things get so out of hand, especially since she had known that her trusted guardsman was lurking in the shadows. However, when Rafe had pressed her against the door and kissed her so passionately, she had forgotten everything and had simply responded to his touch. Nothing in her extensive sexual training had prepared her for the overwhelming desire she would feel for this man. She had been so caught up in the pleasure of her first climax that she had not even moved to cover herself when Rafe had been knocked unconscious. Sir Eric had averted his eyes and gallantly draped his own cloak around her to cover her naked breasts. Only then, had she managed to recover her scattered wits. Eleta could not allow herself to lose control like that again. She needed to steer their interaction back onto the right path toward fulfilling the prophecy. With that thought in mind, she sat patiently beneath Rafe's searching gaze.

As Rafe took in her appearance, his eyes bulged slightly. The twin lanterns in the coach allowed him to see even more detail than he had in the dim hall of his castle. The deep emerald green of her gown accentuated the fairness of her skin and her ebony hair. The garment was lovingly fitted to her curvaceous form, and Rafe's eyes were drawn repeatedly to the shadowed valley of her cleavage. The generous swells of her breasts fulfilled every fantasy he had of feminine perfection. As the coach rattled and bounced, so did those sumptuous orbs. It was a struggle not to stare. But she was the queen. She was the ultimate forbidden fruit! Unless he was her betrothed or her prince, he had absolutely no right to ogle her. Yet with every jolt of the wheels, Rafe found his eyes kept wandering back to appreciate the sights.

The queen appeared to be oblivious to his fascination. "How are you feeling?" she asked quietly.

He cleared his throat to answer, and his voice came out as an ominous growl. "I would feel a lot better if I knew what the hell was going on, your Majesty."

"Oh, so you did recognize me," she replied with a soft chuckle. "I thought so." Her eyes twinkled as she met his gaze. "I had begun to wonder whether you would ever figure out who I was."

Her husky laugh reminded him of their teasing banter...and all that had transpired afterward. He was mortified by the lustful behavior he had already shown his sovereign. Nevertheless, he couldn't resist another peek at her bosom.

"Of course I recognize you, ma'am," Rafe replied with a puzzled frown. "I've seen many portraits of you. Your beauty is famous throughout the realm and beyond."

He studied her face in detail for the first time. Hair of the deepest ebony was dressed high on her head, leaving the slender column of her neck exposed. Her black hair and elegant brows complemented her lustrous and fair complexion. Her eyes were large and almond shaped. Their color was most unusual, making him think once again of fine sherry. The fact that they were fringed with thick sooty lashes and tilted up slightly at the corners lent them an air of seductive mystery. Her nose was slim, and her cheekbones were high and delicately formed. He would swear the hint of pink riding their outer contours was not the result of rouge. Nor was the deep red of her lips. His eyes were drawn to her lush mouth, and he remembered exactly how those lips felt beneath his own. He barely stifled his groan of longing.

Rafe's gaze met hers once more. "The artists did not do you justice, your Majesty. I'm afraid even the most talented of them could not capture the depth and breadth of your loveliness."

Eleta gave a smile and small nod to acknowledge the compliment. She had heard many extol her beauty, but she had never felt nervous flutters in her stomach when they did so. The rich timbre of his voice touched something deep within her. She cleared her throat to cover her jitters. She was trying not to remember the liberties she had already allowed this man to take, and she definitely didn't want to think about all those yet to come. She would lose her focus entirely.

"I am honored that you know who I am," she teased. "I had the impression that you could not remember the difference between one woman and another."

Rafe's brows drew together. "Your Majesty, I am afraid you have misjudged me. You can hardly condemn my lack of memory since we had, in fact, never met until now." He gave her a pointed frown.

She waved her hand in airy dismissal. "Nevertheless, your Grace, it was quite amusing watching you try to narrow down the many women of your...acquaintance."

The emphasis she placed on that last word brought a light flush to his cheeks. She thought his lips twitched ever so slightly. "Ma'am, you can hardly expect that a man of my age should not have had any past lovers."

One slim brow arched and she gave him an impish grin. "True, but neither did I think there would be so many that you would not be able to remember them all." Seeing him squirm, she gave a soft chuckle and relented. "I apologize for tricking you," she murmured. "I am afraid it could not be helped."

Rafe arched one brow, instantly regretting it. He winced as he gingerly touched the base of his skull, groaning when his fingers probed a small, raised lump.

Eleta watched him, feeling pangs of remorse. She chided herself for own foolishness. A small bump on the head was nothing compared to what she would eventually have to do to him. She cleared her throat nervously again. She was not used to feeling so unsettled.

"Would you care for a drink?" she asked sweetly.

Rafe gazed at her suspiciously, obviously hesitant to accept the flask she was offering.

She noticed his mistrust and smiled reassuringly. "There is no need to worry," she chided. "I haven't poisoned it. See?"

She raised the flask to her lips and drank deeply. Rafe's eyes were riveted to her luscious mouth. Once again, he remembered exactly how those same ripe lips had tasted and felt beneath his own. The memory made him instantly hard. A dark flush crept up his throat, and he hoped she would not notice the bulge between his legs. As if she read his thoughts, her eyes dropped to his loins, and then her gaze locked with his. A frisson of awareness passed between them.

Rafe was more than slightly confused. He knew the queen was still a maiden, but she behaved as if she were no stranger to games of seduction. Unlike the virgin she was reputed to be, she was neither shy nor hesitant. In fact, he had entertained courtesans who were less bold! Memories of what he had done with her in the library caused his flush to rise up his neck and face. It was more than slightly ironic that he felt like an untried youth, and she was behaving like an experienced woman of the world. She seemed to be purposely inflaming his lust with both her actions and her clothing, and he had no idea why. She was betrothed to another man, for heaven's sake! Against his will, Rafe's gaze dropped to her bosom once again, and he stifled a groan.

Beneath his gaze, Eleta felt her mouth go suddenly as dry as a desert. Though appearing outwardly calm, Eleta was shaken to her core. All her education and training had not prepared her for what she would feel while dealing with this man. He had always been just some faceless enemy, a theoretical foe to be vanquished. Yet in person, he was so much more. He was steely muscle and hard bone, sculpted into the most tempting form imaginable. He made her feel desirable and irresistible. When his eyes ran over her body, heat welled beneath her skin, and she found it difficult not to squirm self-consciously while he looked his fill. Remembering the moment he had pleasured her against the library door, Eleta felt her nipples tighten, until they were achingly hard nubs. She had never imagined that his touch would bring such ecstasy and yet leave her wanting so much more. Of a sudden, she could not draw a deep enough breath.

Eleta leaned toward him as she held out the flask invitingly. "You must be thirsty. Here."

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He reluctantly kept his gaze away from her bosom as he reached for the flask. His fingers brushed lightly against hers, and Eleta shivered with awareness. She could imagine his fingers brushing against her naked breasts in exactly that way, and she remained frozen as she watched him lift the flask.

"Thank you, your Majesty."

His voice was a soft growl. He tipped the flask and took a deep draught, his eyes never straying from her as he did so. He lowered the flask and gave a satisfied sigh as he returned it to her. Once again, his fingers brushed hers in a stealthy caress. Eleta swallowed hard, shocked to discover that such a simple touch could affect her so deeply. She leaned back in her seat, and his eyes finally rose to meet hers.

"Now," he said, "would you mind telling me what is going on and where you are taking me?"

Eleta blinked as if she were coming out of a trance. She was irritated that he had managed to rattle her so thoroughly. She raised her eyebrows and gave him an arrogant glance.

"You will find out soon enough," she said dismissively.

"I'll find out now," he growled. "By what authority have you kidnapped me from my own castle?"

"I said that I wanted to take you somewhere more private. Are you missing your betrothed so soon?" the queen needled.

"I didn't know you intended to abduct me to gain privacy," he snapped, feeling a tiny twinge of guilt as he realized he hadn't given his fiancΓ©e even a moment's thought. "And what of your own betrothed, your Majesty? Does he know that you are here with me?"

The queen appeared equally disconcerted. "That is none of your affair," Eleta said with a huff.

"I suspect the duke would find it very much his affair," Rafe replied hotly. "I know that if you were my own betrothed, I would kill any other man for seeing or touching you the way you have allowed me to do."

Rafe was somewhat gratified to see Eleta blush hotly. Still, he felt every bit as remorseful about his own lewd behavior. To hide his embarrassment, he glanced out the window for the first time and noticed that the sky was beginning to darken and turn purple with advancing twilight. He frowned in confusion. The terrain was mountainous and completely unfamiliar. The coach was climbing ever higher up a steep slope. A flutter of uneasiness settled in his gut. He eyed the queen suspiciously.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"Almost twenty four hours," she stated with a small shrug.

It took a moment for her words to sink in before Rafe sat bolt upright. "Twenty four hours?" he roared. "How hard did your henchman hit me?"

Eleta flinched slightly and looked at him with something akin to guilt. "Not that hard," she replied. "You would have woken up within moments had we not given you a sleeping tonic."

"That is the last straw," he muttered. He pinned her with a threatening scowl. "Queen or no queen, you had better start giving me some answers, ma'am. What is going on?"

Eleta was not accustomed to taking orders, and she gave him a haughty stare. "We will reach our destination by tomorrow evening," she stated firmly. "All will be explained when we get there."

"Am I under arrest?" he asked.

"Of course not."

"Then I demand to be released, your Majesty."

"I am afraid that is not possible," she replied. "I require your assistance in a matter of the upmost importance. I therefore require your attendance."

He frowned at that. "What matter of upmost importance?"

"As I said, all will soon be explained."

"For how long will you insist on my presence?" he demanded curtly.

"Until I dismiss you," she snapped.

His impatience and frustration were apparent in his indignant tone. "You forget, your Majesty, that you have no authority over me. Although you are my sovereign," he paused to execute a deep, mocking bow, "you do not have the power to command my attendance at your whim. Now, I demand to be released!"

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The queen laughed, but it held no humor. "You will be released when I am ready to release you, and not a moment before. For now, I require your services."

"For what purpose, ma'am? Has there been some sort of attack upon Aglaia?"

"No," Eleta said with a frown.

"Has there been a threat against you personally, your Majesty?"

Eleta sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, of course not."

"Well, can you give me some indication of why you have abducted me?" Rafe said impatiently.

Eleta pursed her lips, considering him thoughtfully. "All I can tell you for now is that I have a very special task for which I need your assistance. You will have to be satisfied with that for now."

"Why couldn't you simply ask if you required my help? I have always been a staunch supporter of your Majesty, and I would willingly lend whatever assistance you require." He pinned her with a peeved frown. "But I prefer to be asked rather than being tricked, ambushed and abducted like some sort of criminal!"

"I have already apologized for the way I tricked you, your Grace. If there had been another way, I would have spared you this...unpleasantness. However, I had to ensure your cooperation by any available means."

Rafe looked out the window, grinding his teeth as he debated his options. There were a dozen or so of the queen's guardsmen riding alongside the coach. Clearly, there was no chance of escape at the moment. His mind reeled with the possibilities of what she might want from him. He had always been able to get women to do what he wanted with a bit of persuasion. Perhaps it was time to direct his considerable charm and expertise toward the queen. He could continue to argue with her, or...

Rafe pinned the queen with his hypnotic green stare. She swallowed, feeling a bit like a hare being chased by a hungry wolf. He let his eyes wander over her, lingering on her hips and breasts. Eleta could imagine what he was thinking. Images of herself beneath him, her legs wrapped around him as he plunged into her body, flashed in her own mind. As a result, her cheeks flamed, and her eyelids dropped to conceal the uncertainty she knew would be visible in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, I confess to being shocked that you used yourself as bait to trap and abduct me," he murmured. "If you have some reason why you require my...services...I will gladly render any assistance you require. I simply request that you explain what it is you want from me."

His voice was a husky caress, and his tone conveyed a very suggestive and sensual meaning to his words. Eleta shivered slightly. All her lessons had focused on how to seduce a man. None of them had taught her about the pleasure of being seduced. She suddenly wondered who was really in control of their interaction.

Before she could formulate an appropriate response, she heard the commander of the guardsmen call for a halt, and the coach rattled to a stop.

"We will continue this discussion later," the queen murmured.

Eleta donned a thick fur lined cloak and pulled a heavy hood over her head just as Sir Eric opened the door of the coach. The guardsman gave her a searching glance and then shot a glare toward Rafe. Without another word, the queen accepted the commander's assistance and made a graceful exit. Two more guards appeared in the doorway and signaled for Rafe to follow. He alighted and was quickly surrounded by six of the guards. He had no choice but to fall in behind the queen as she led the way into a small inn.

They waited just inside the entrance as Sir Eric made discreet inquiries from the owner of the inn. Queen Eleta kept her face averted, and Rafe realized that neither the owner nor the other patrons knew they were in the presence of the queen. He briefly thought about making a scene. However, he decided against it because he doubted it would do any good, and he was curious to find out her purpose. If she truly needed his help, he did not want to jeopardize her cause.

The guardsman returned and led them upstairs to the nicest suite of rooms in the inn. The accommodations were far inferior to what either Eleta or Rafe was accustomed to, but they were immaculately clean and comfortably furnished. There were two bedrooms, one on either side of a small parlor that also served as a dining room. As one of the guardsmen lit a fire and then went into each of the two bedrooms to light oil lamps, Rafe noticed that there was also a small bathing area tucked behind a tall panelled screen.

The queen signalled for a small trunk of her belongings to be deposited in one bedroom. Rafe was obviously meant to take the other room for himself. The queen turned aside for a quiet word with Sir Eric.

"I should like to have some time to refresh myself before dinner. Please arrange for our meal to be served in one hour."

"Yes, your Majesty."

Sir Eric executed a deep bow. He shot Rafe another glare before exiting the suite of rooms. Rafe wondered idly what he had done to win the man's obvious disapproval. After all, the guard had attacked him, not the other way around. Rafe noticed as Sir Eric exited that two of the other guards remained posted just outside the door. When he and the queen were once again alone, the queen turned to him with a smile.

"Make yourself comfortable, your Grace." She waved toward his bedroom. "If you would like to change clothes, you will find a few necessities have been arranged for you.

Rafe gave her a puzzled frown and wandered to the door of his bedroom. A full outfit had been laid out on his bed, and he was shocked to see that the garments were some of his own. There was a small case open on the dresser, and he recognized even more of his clothes were neatly packed inside. He turned a questioning look back to Eleta.

"How is it that you have managed to acquire some of my clothes, your Majesty?"

Eleta gave an amused chuckle and waved her hand in dismissal. "It was nothing. I merely thought you would appreciate having a few things to wear during our journey."

Rafe was anything but satisfied with her answer. She had obviously planned his abduction down to the last detail. He wondered yet again what her ultimate purpose was. It was more than scandalous that she should pass a night alone with him, even if they were meant to sleep in separate rooms. If it became public knowledge, her reputation would be ruined, regardless of the fact that she was the queen. He wanted to know why on earth she would risk such a thing, especially when she was betrothed to another man. If she was interested in him, why had she refused his petition to meet her? Why did she feel she had to abduct him, when she could have simply sent him an invitation, and he would have gladly responded?

Eleta smiled at him innocently. "Why don't you get comfortable? I'm going to wash, change and relax a bit before dinner."

Not waiting for his response, she turned and went into her own room. Rafe scowled after her. He didn't understand what she wanted from him. One minute, she flirted, the next, she behaved as if he were being casually dismissed. He couldn't just turn off his libido, especially in light of everything that had passed between them already. He felt hot blood pounding into his groin, and he growled under his breath. What in the world was she up to? Was it possible that, as an innocent, she was curious about men. Perhaps she was merely trying out her wiles on him for practice and truly didn't understand how close she was to pushing him over the edge. She likely had no idea that if he lost his self control, she would lose even more, including her innocence, her reputation, and her betrothal. He seriously doubted that she knew how much danger she was in.

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