“Yes, yes, yes,” Loupe murmured, tossing her head from side to side as the pleasure built to an unbearable force. The orgasm hit her hard and she screamed again, clutching Etienne’s shoulders as her hips jerked in time with the pulsing pleasure. A few seconds later, Etienne shouted, his body spasming beneath her as he spilled his seed in her body.
As the last ripple faded, Loupe collapsed on Etienne’s chest. He rolled her over beneath him, stroking her hair as she came down from the high of her orgasm.
“Loupe, did I hurt you?” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Loupe couldn’t speak, so she responded by looping her arms around his neck and pulling him down for a slow, lingering kiss. Etienne seemed to accept her answer, running a hand through her tangled tresses as he kissed her back, sliding his tongue over her lower lip before slipping it into her mouth to battle with her own.
After a few glorious moments, he pulled back, cradling her body with his and just held her. They lay like that for several long minutes, each one just listening to the sound of the other’s heartbeat.
“I would love to stay here and hold you forever,” Etienne said quietly, “but I’m afraid we are already pressing our luck. I need to get you safely to my castle before your family comes after you.”
Loupe tensed. My castle. She pulled back to look Etienne in the eyes. “Etienne, tonight is the full moon. Your parents…they’ll know. Surely you don’t stay in the palace on the nights of the full moon?”
Etienne frowned for a second. He contemplated her as if trying to parse out what she was talking about without asking. Then understanding dawned in his eyes and he hugged her. “Oh, Loupe, how stupid of me. There is much I need to explain to you.” He pulled back and gave her a kind smile. “Come, let us get dressed and we can talk on the way to the palace.”
Loupe blushed, the warmth scalding her cheeks. “I, um, don’t have any clothes. They were destroyed when I changed into a wolf back at home.”
“You will wear my cloak then until I can replace your clothes.”
Etienne stood and picked up his cloak. He pulled her to her feet and wrapped the rich cloth around her shoulders. Loupe couldn’t help but snuggle into it, inhaling the scent of Etienne that clung to the fabric.
She looked up and caught Etienne staring at her. The possessive look in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine and a fresh rush of desire between her legs.
“I like the scent of you wrapped in my clothing,” he said, his voice low and deep enough that it vibrated inside her.
He was still mostly naked, only having just pulled his shirt on. Loupe shivered in remembrance of the pleasure that body had given her and she wrapped the cloak tighter around herself to keep from leaping on him again.
“I can teach you to control it.”
His words snapped her out of her wanton thoughts and froze her in the present. Her hands trembled as she fiddled with the edges of the cloak, her scattered brain trying to pull itself back together as that one simple sentence threatened her reality. She and the wolf had been in agreement when she’d shifted to go after Etienne, but surely that was just a fluke, the result of dire circumstances? The harsh reality of the situation was much darker and she couldn’t let a few unique moments blind her to that.
“You do not control a wild animal,” she said quietly, her voice hushed and heavy with sadness. “It tears its way out of my body and steals my life for hours at a time. I cannot fight it, and I cannot remember what it has done, even after my body is mine again.”
“Loupe, I was born a werewolf. I’ve lived with having a dual nature since I was a child, I’ve dealt with having two forms since I was twelve. Control comes with balance.” He pulled his trousers on and fastened them before stepping closer to her. He ran a hand down her cheek. “You were bitten by a werewolf, weren’t you?”
Loupe nodded, not trusting her voice enough to speak yet. She absorbed every word he said, testing it in her mind. She wanted so badly to believe him.
“You are what we call a cursed werewolf—a loup garou. You did not have anyone around you to help you deal with the transition.” His face darkened. “You did not even have a loving family to support you in human form, let alone the terror they must have inspired in you with their damnable hunting.”
“If I am a cursed werewolf and not a born werewolf like you, then what makes you think I can ever learn to control it?”
Etienne’s visage softened. “Because I will help you. Just as I pulled you out of your wolf form and just as I soothed your wolf to keep it at bay, I can help you as you find your own balance. With my help, you will never have to be afraid again.”
Tears burned Loupe’s eyes as they pooled to blur her vision. He spoke with such certainty. Was it really possible? Could she hold on to this powerful, controlled feeling forever? Could the wolf inside her be a source of strength instead of fear, a tool for protection instead of a liability?
“What did I ever do to deserve you?” she asked softly.
Etienne smiled a wide, open smile. “Loupe, you have done more for me than you know. I will explain everything in the carriage.”
Loupe just nodded, too overwhelmed to speak anymore. Together, they trudged back through the woods, back to the prince’s carriage. As they finally left the cover of the trees, Etienne froze.
“What the blazes?”
Loupe frowned at Etienne’s dumbfounded expression. When she finally looked at the carriage, she realized what had startled him.
It was the fairy horse.
“Your Highness, it’s the oddest thing,” a man standing beside the coach said, scratching his head. “A breeze blew my hat off and by the time I retrieved it, your royal horse had run off and this beastie was harnessed in its place.”
“Oh, who’s a good boy?” Loupe cooed, moving to the horse’s side. The horse whinnied happily, nudging her chest with its snout. Loupe laughed and petted its velvety soft nose.
“I swear it’s disgusting how he ingratiates himself to you.”
The tiny voice lifted Loupe’s spirits even higher and she looked up to see the tiny pixie perched on the coachman’s seat. Loeg crossed his arms, still glaring at the horse.
“Loeg, my friend, it’s so good to see you again,” Loupe said sincerely. Her throat constricted with emotion as she struggled to find some way to thank Loeg for everything he’d brought into her life. The pixie turned to look at her and the lines of his face softened into a smile.
“Don’t cry now, girl, don’t cry,” he grumbled. “How’s the foot?”
Loupe froze. Her foot. She’d forgotten!
She stared down at the foot that had been missing a toe only hours ago, shocked speechless to find that it was once again whole. She lifted her gaze to stare at Loeg. The little pixie sat there with an expression somewhere between smug and incredulous.
“I fixed it. You mean you didn’t notice?” He rolled his eyes and spared a glance toward Etienne. “You must be some prince to take a girl’s mind off a severed toe.”
A fierce blush set fire to Loupe’s cheeks and Loeg chuckled.
“It was the shoe, see? I put it on your foot while you were changing. Didn’t know if it would work or not, but figured it was worth a shot.”
Etienne strode over so suddenly he startled Loeg. The pixie shot into the air, eyeing the prince warily.
“I owe you a debt,” Etienne said seriously. “You have an ally in me and my family.”
The pixie’s face eased and he floated back down to sit on the seat once again. “Oh. Splendid, I’ll keep that in mind.” He turned to Loupe. “Nice bite on Danette, by the way. Little heathen screamed like a banshee until mummy dearest came home.”
Loupe waited for a surge of fear at the mention of her stepmother, but none came. Instead, her blood grew hot, a strange tingling tickling her jaw. She had the most powerful urge to bite something.
Etienne took her hand in his and she glanced over at him.
“We will take care of them,” he to
ld the pixie, his voice smooth and calm. He looked over at Loupe. “Won’t we, my love?”
Loupe’s smile was instantaneous and sincere. “That we will. My love.”
Chapter 14
Six months later…
“Loupe, you have such a beautiful smile. Tell me, what has you in such high spirits this time?”
Loupe beamed wider at the queen, not even caring when the knitting in her hands began to unravel again. The cottony soft threads cushioned her hands as she dropped them into her lap.
“I just can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am. After marrying Etienne, I didn’t think I could possibly get any happier. But these past few months, having you and the king—”
“Your father,” the queen insisted.
Loupe’s throat tightened and her heart clenched to see the affection glistening in the queen’s eyes. Her mother’s eyes. “Father,” she agreed softly. “Having you and father in my life has been the greatest gift…”
She choked and had to fall silent, too emotional to keep speaking. Blinking away tears of joy, she laughed to find the queen crying a bit as well. They both dropped their knitting and Loupe closed her eyes as the queen leaned over the arm of her rocking chair to give her a hug. She felt so foolish for being so terribly sappy, but she couldn’t help it. Marrying a prince was a fairy tale come true, but being part of a real, loving family…that was heaven.
“Loupe, you are such a precious girl,” the queen whispered. “I’m so very proud to have you for a daughter.”
For a few moments, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Loupe clung to her mother, relishing the warmth of the embrace and the strength that always seemed to seep into her when the queen held her like this. Never in her life had she known a woman so loving, so completely accepting. Her wolf rolled over inside her and Loupe hiccupped at the waves of contentment emanating from the beast.
“Why are you crying?”
Both Loupe and the queen pulled away, turning at the sound of Etienne’s voice. He stood in the doorway, his forehead furrowed in concern. In a flash he was at Loupe’s side, kneeling down on the thick gold carpet and taking her hand in his.
“Are you unhappy?” he demanded, his voice gentle despite the hint of panic.
Shaking her head, Loupe stroked his face with the back of her fingers. “No, my love. Quite the contrary, I’m so happy I could burst.”
Etienne held her hand against his cheek. For a moment Loupe basked in the love and affection reflected in her husband’s gaze, wondering for the millionth time how she’d gotten so lucky. Then his soft smile began to wilt. Loupe frowned.
“Etienne, what is it?”
The lines around his eyes tightened and Loupe’s stomach dropped. “What’s happened, husband?”
“We have a visitor. She’s demanding to see you.”
Unease rippled over Loupe’s nerves as she stood. She’d only been a princess for a few months. Though she helped in whatever way she could, her contributions to the royal family thus far had mainly consisted of patrolling with Etienne, roaming about the kingdom as a wolf after the sun went down. And her stepfamily had vanished, abandoned the house and most of their belongings. In six months, the only information the royal guards had been able to find was one villager who said Madame Tessier had mentioned a voyage. No doubt the evil woman had rejoined her barbaric brothers, floating around the seven seas. Surely they wouldn’t return now? Not when Loupe had finally convinced Etienne to just forget about them. Not now that he had finally turned his attention back to their kingdom.
Still, Loupe couldn’t think of anyone who would be calling on her. This late. On the night of the full moon. Could it be…“Who?”
“Your stepsister. Danette.”
Without meaning to, Loupe turned her head and stared out the window. The evening sky was awash in deep oranges that bled to burgundy before darkening to plum. A wicked twist of pleasure curled through Loupe at the sight of the glowing silver orb in the sky. It was the night of the full moon.
“She’s probably here to ask for help,” Etienne said, his voice leaving no doubt as to his opinion on the matter.
“I’m sure. But why now? She’s had six moons to come to me. Why is she coming to me only now?”
“Perhaps her mother got tired of having to chain her daughter up every month?” He crossed his arms. “If she even chains her up. Perhaps she takes Danette into battle with her and releases her in wolf form. It sounds like Madame Tessier’s style to revel in that sort of blood and chaos.”
“No,” Loupe argued. “My stepmother reveres violence, yes, but only controlled violence. Danette would have no control over herself in wolf form and my stepmother has no way of teaching her that control.” Loupe’s stomach rolled. “Unless she tried to train her like she would train a beast. If she tried to beat her into submission.” She shoved the thoughts away, but it was too late. The images were there and it was only too easy for her to picture her stepmother abusing her own daughter in an attempt to get the girl to focus that bestial aggression on Madame Tessier’s enemies.
Etienne scowled. “You’re going to help her aren’t you?”
Loupe twirled the end of her braid around her finger, her mind spinning. The past few months had taught her a great deal about herself. She’d learned what a real family should be like, what she had a right to expect as far as respect and dignity. It pained her now to think of what a coward she’d been, how broken and completely spineless. In a strange way, she almost understood her stepfamily better now. Even though they’d been the ones to break her, starting from the tender age of six and going well into her early twenties, it must have been hard for the warrior women to see anything they could empathize with in the sniveling creature she’d been.
Danette deserved to suffer. Loupe knew it, believed it. Still, she couldn’t push from her mind the memories of her own early months of the change. All too well she knew the terror and loss of control Danette was going through. Whatever had once been between them, Loupe owed it to her to listen. One loup garou to another.
“Is she still human?” Loupe asked finally.
Etienne nodded. “Yes, but she won’t be for long. I told her to wait on the balcony. Only the head of the royal guard is with her.”
“Very well.” Loupe turned and offered her mother a smile. “Please excuse me, Mother. I’ll return as soon as I settle some unfinished business.”
The queen straightened her spine. “You have grown into such a strong woman, my daughter,” she said proudly. She smiled. “Bite her again if you have to.”
Etienne snorted in amusement and Loupe winked at the queen. Here, in the castle, surrounded by her family, Loupe was confident that she could face anything. What did it matter if she helped her stepsister? The time when Danette could terrorize her was over. Together, she and Etienne went to the balcony where Danette awaited an audience.
The head of the royal guard nodded at Etienne and Loupe. “She’s still human, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.” Etienne paused before drawing the curtain aside. “You are sure?”
Loupe stepped forward and pulled the curtain back herself, baring the balcony to her gaze. The scent of her stepsister trailed past Loupe’s nose, a combination of blood, sweat, and the stink of desperation. She held herself as straight as she could, broadcasting strength and preparing herself to speak to the woman who’d nearly killed her.
Danette cowered on the stone. She didn’t raise her eyes, but rather pressed herself harder to the ground. Seeing her there, groveling in a dirty cotton dress that she wouldn’t have been caught dead in before, should have invoked some sort of sympathy in Loupe. It didn’t.
“Help me,” Danette choked, a sob racking her body. “I’m a monster. I can’t control it, please help me. I’m so frightened.”
“Are you looking for a place to be chained up?” Etienne offered in a tone cold enough to freeze water. “We have an extensive dungeon that I’d be more than ha
ppy to confine you to.”
Danette moaned, a loud, long, and piteous sound. “Loupe, you know what this is like! Please! You have to do something.”
Loupe tilted her head, feigning confusion. “You’re telling me you want me to shoot your toe off with an arrow?” She glanced at Etienne. “I do believe that’s the ‘help’ they offered me when I was in this position?”
Etienne nodded. “Indeed, I was there.”
Loupe could have sworn Danette’s shoulders tightened and her hands clenched into fists. The momentary tension was gone a second later and she turned her face up to fix Loupe with a near-hysterical plea.
Before Midnight (Book 1) (Blood Prince Series) Page 15
