The Beast's Beloved (Ballads of Cadarnle Book 2) Read online

  “There is much more to wolves than that,” Dresdyn answered fervently. “Much more. Yes, they are skilled and lethal hunters, but they are also incredibly loyal and protective of their packs.” He gazed down at Klaryssa just as she chanced a look up at him, and he slipped an arm around her waist beneath the cloak. “And, they mate for life...remaining ever faithful to the one they choose as their lifemate.” He held Klaryssa’s gaze. “And they are fiercely protective of their offspring.”

  Klaryssa’s womb clenched with want, and her breath caught in her throat as Dresdyn’s hand rested possessively upon her hip. “Truly?” she asked breathlessly while imagining Dresdyn gripping her hips under very different circumstances.

  Dresdyn nodded, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. “Make no mistake, my sweet doe, they are quite dangerous when the situation calls for them to be so. Had you been a thief or an intruder, they would have torn you limb from limb; however, because they know you are to be a full-fledged member of their pack by the week’s end, they seek instead to keep you safe and protected.” Dresdyn sighed. “The same privilege will be extended to your father and sister when they are brought here.”

  Klaryssa stopped and threw her arms around Dresdyn’s neck and kissed him fully on the lips. This time, Dresdyn did not hesitate in wrapping his arms around her and pressing her close as he possessively claimed her mouth once more. He growled deep in his throat when Klaryssa wrapped her legs around his waist, and he pushed her against a nearby wall as his large, strong hands firmly gripped her backside. Breaking the kiss, he trailed nipping kisses down the graceful column of Klaryssa’s neck, and he smiled when she gasped and clung to him more tightly than before.

  “Thank you, My Lord,” Klaryssa whispered breathlessly while tangling a hand into Dresdyn’s dark, unruly hair as he nibbled and nuzzled the crook of her neck. “For everything.”

  “Dresdyn, my sweet,” Dresdyn growled huskily against Klaryssa’s neck. “Within a week, you will be my bride and mate. I would think that would warrant you calling me by my given name.” He slowly traced his tongue over Klaryssa’s rapidly racing pulse

  “Dresdyn,” Klaryssa whispered into her betrothed’s ear with a smile before gasping and whimpering wantonly as Dresdyn began rocking his hips against her vulnerable core. “Gods!” she cried as a jolt of excitement coursed through her nethers. “Dresdyn!” she cried while tightening her legs around the man who had completely upheaved her life for the better. Her body screamed for Dresdyn to take right then and there as she felt his hardening bulge pressing against her. “Dresdyn,” she mewled as her future husband left a trail of nipping kisses over her collarbone. “Dresdyn, please!”

  Their moment was interrupted by a loud clap of thunder, and Klaryssa squeaked with fright while shrinking against Dresdyn’s powerful body. Storms had always frightened her, and she was grateful when Dresdyn wordlessly shifted her in his strong arms, so he was now carrying her like a bride. Without saying a word, her future husband ran with what she could only describe as an unearthly speed. In almost no time at all, they had reached a door and entered over the threshold.

  Klaryssa looked about the room as Dresdyn carefully lowered her feet to the floor. Her jaw dropped at the sight of walls that were filled with shelves upon shelves of books. The smell of age and mustiness filled her nose, but she found herself unbothered by it. “So many books,” she whispered as Dresdyn closed the door behind them just as the heavens opened up once more.

  “Well, it is the library,” Dresdyn replied with a smile and a small chuckle as he lifted the cloak from Klaryssa’s shoulders and then draped it over his arm.

  “I never knew there were so many books in all the world,” Klaryssa murmured in awe while slowly turning around and round to take in the sight of the candlelit room.

  “You’re welcome to come in here anytime you wish,” Dresdyn said while slipping his free arm around Klaryssa’s waist and drawing her close as he started to stride from the room.

  “I’m afraid this room would be entirely wasted on me,” Klaryssa admitted while averting her eyes. “I don’t know how to read.”

  Dresdyn stopped in mid-stride and gazed down at Klaryssa, but there was no judgment in his eyes. “Well, we will have to remedy that, won’t we?” he asked with a small smile.

  “You don’t have to trouble yourself,” Klaryssa said hurriedly.

  “It wouldn’t be any trouble, my sweet,” Dresdyn said as he led Klaryssa out of the room. “You are to be the Lady of our lands and the Mistress of our home. You should know how to read. How else will you be able to look over contracts, deeds, and such?”

  “Well, I suppose when you put it that way,” Klaryssa replied with a smile and a soft blush to her cheeks as she and Dresdyn walked down the corridor together. The idea that Dresdyn would treat her as an equal had never once crossed her mind, and the fact that he clearly intended to do so only made Klaryssa feel even happier about the sudden change her life had taken. “Thank you, Dresdyn,” she murmured fervently.

  Dresdyn smiled and gave Klaryssa a sidelong glance. “I do rather love the way my name sounds upon your beautiful lips,” he uttered huskily while envisioning all the ways he would get Klaryssa to utter his name in the throes of passion.

  Klaryssa smiled shyly up at Dresdyn, even as her eyes spoke volumes as to how much she desired him. “I must admit, that I do rather like saying it,” she murmured.

  A soft growl rumbled deeply in Dresdyn’s chest. “Good,” he said simply before ushering Klaryssa into a large room.

  Taking in the sight of the chairs situated around the long table in the center of the room, Klaryssa could only assume that she and Dresdyn had just entered the dining hall. Lit sconces were situated along the walls, and they illuminated the various wolf tapestries that decorated the stone walls, and the massive hearth housed a large, crackling fire that cast a warm, welcoming glow about the room. Once she had finished slowly casting her awed gaze around the large space, Klaryssa noticed that there were three place settings at the table which was laden with food that both smelled and looked utterly delicious.

  Klaryssa blushed when her stomach gave an audible growl.

  “Come, my sweet,” Dresdyn said with a small chuckle as he led Klaryssa to the table. “Let us fill your belly.” He pulled out the chair on the right of the chair positioned at the head.

  “Is someone joining us?” Klaryssa asked curiously while motioning to the chair across from her.

  “Yes, he should be along any...ah, there he is now,” Dresdyn said with an indicative nod. “Come along then,” he said while beckoning his finger after pushing Klaryssa’s chair closer to the table.

  Klaryssa looked in the indicated direction and saw a young boy approaching. Lanky and lithe of build, the boy had dark, shaggy hair that just brushed his shoulders; and, once he had drawn close enough, Klaryssa could see that his large, almond-shaped eyes were so dark a brown, that they almost appeared black. His features were delicate, and his nervously fidgeting hands seemed far too big for his body.

  “Klaryssa, this is my nephew, Wilem,” Dresdyn introduced as the young boy took his place at the table while eying Klaryssa with open curiosity. “Wilem, this is Klaryssa. She is to be my mate,” he said with a smile when the young boy looked to him with obvious shock. “Yes, I am as surprised as you,” he admitted with a small chuckle while taking his seat at the head of the table.

  “I had no idea I would be gaining a nephew,” Klaryssa said with a smile. “I’m very happy to meet you, Wilem,” she said before smiling to Dresdyn in thanks as he served her generous helpings of meat. “I’m afraid I’ve never been anyone’s aunt before,” she admitted. “But I’ll do my best.”

  Wilem smiled shyly at Klaryssa while serving himself. “I’ve never had an aunt before, so I have no basis of comparison,” he said with a voice that cracked just a little. His brow creased a little in annoyance.

  “Then, we’ll muddle through it together,” Klaryssa said with a s
mall giggle as her smile remained in place. “Are you visiting your uncle?” She tried not to be too ravenous as she took her first bite of meat, but she did close her eyes and revel in the savory deliciousness that flooded her tongue.

  “No, I live here with him,” Wilem answered.

  “His parents passed when he was but five years of age,” Dresdyn added before taking up a drumstick. “I have been raising him since then.” As impersonal as that may have sounded, Dresdyn truly did think of Wilem as his own son and love him as such. Had he not believed that it would be adding insult to injury in the aftermath of his brother’s untimely death, Dresdyn would have adopted him as his own son long ago.

  Opening her eyes, Klaryssa looked to Dresdyn for a few moments. The more time she spent with him, the clearer picture of him was painted in her mind; and, she could not help but see striking similarities between him and the wolves he so loved. Though gruff and wild, he was still capable of great tenderness and loyalty. The young boy sitting with them was evidence of that. Clearly, he was well taken care of and did not suffer from neglect, and Klaryssa could not help but feel a surge of maternal longing at the thought of Dresdyn fathering a child of their own creation.

  Meeting her gaze, Dresdyn seemed to know the path Klaryssa’s thoughts had taken, for he gave her a slow smile while regarding her through half-lidded eyes. Klaryssa felt her cheeks warm, and she quickly averted her gaze to her plate before raising it to Wilem once more.

  “I’m deeply sorry to hear about your parents, Wilem,” Klaryssa said fervently. “I lost my own mother eight years ago when I was fourteen.” She sighed softly. “I have had to help my father raise my sister.”

  “You have a sister?” Wilem asked curiously.

  Klaryssa nodded. “She just turned thirteen a month ago.”

  “I’m twelve. I’ll be thirteen in the spring though,” Wilem remarked before frowning when his voice gave another odd crack.

  “It will pass, little pup,” Dresdyn said with a sympathetic smile.

  “Not fast enough,” Wilem grumbled before looking to Klaryssa once more. “What’s it like? Having a sibling, I mean?”

  Klaryssa smiled fondly. “Cerridwyn can be a right, true brat at times, but she is also my dearest friend. I wouldn’t trade her for anything, which is why I am overjoyed that your uncle has agreed to bring her and my father here to live.”

  Both Wilem’s eyebrows rose, and he turned his gaze to Dresdyn in silent question.

  Dresdyn softly exhaled. “It’s true,” he affirmed with a small nod.

  Completely unaware as to just how monumental Dresdyn’s decision was, Klaryssa simply smiled and continued to happily chatter on. “Oh, I am so very glad that Winnie will have someone close in age here at the castle. I’m sure the two of you will be thick as thieves in no time at all.” She had a sip of wine before having another mouthful of meat.

  “It will be a nice change, having someone else my age here in the castle,” Wilem ventured carefully while watching his uncle out of the corner of his eye. Having spent so many years with no one else as a father figure, Wilem had long since become familiar with his uncle’s moods and tells. In that moment, he could tell by the slight way in which the left corner of Dresdyn’s top lip twitched that his uncle was not entirely pleased with the drastic change he was being forced to make.

  “So long as the two of you don’t get into too much trouble,” Dresdyn remarked. “I will be teaching Klaryssa how to read, perhaps you can do the same with Cerridwyn, if she has the desire to learn,” he suggested before taking a long drink from his goblet.

  “Oh, that would be wonderful,” Klaryssa said with a smile.

  “I suppose I could do that,” Wilem replied with a shy smile.

  “Which reminds me, when will my father and sister be brought here, My…” Klaryssa cleared her throat. “Dresdyn,” she corrected before rushing on before Dresdyn could answer. “May I go with you? I know that you said I wasn’t to leave the castle without your expressed permission, but...well, they won’t have seen me since late this morning. They will be worried sick, and I would rather not keep them worrying any longer than necessary.”

  Dresdyn slowly breathed out through his nose and mentally counted to ten to counter his knee-jerk reaction to refuse Klaryssa’s request. He wondered if his father went through this degree of compromise. His late brother certainly had not. Dresdyn’s departed sister-in-law had been an orphan forced to live as a whore in order to survive. She had no ties to leave behind, but Klaryssa seemed incapable of embracing her new and improved future without her father and sister by her side. In truth, Dresdyn could not fault Klaryssa for that. After all, before he had lost all but Wilem, Dresdyn had been close to his family...his pack.

  The deaths of his father and brother had been particularly painful for him.

  Dresdyn would walk through dragon fire if it meant keeping Klaryssa from feeling the pain of such a personal rift. When it came down to it, he truly could see no harm in Klaryssa accompanying him to fetch his pack’s two additional members. After all, he would be with Klaryssa the entire time.

  What harm could there be?

  “Very well,” Dresdyn replied after a few moments. “We shall fetch them tomorrow.” He looked to his nephew. “Wilem, you shall be in charge of overseeing that their rooms are prepared for when we return.”

  “I understand,” Wilem answered with a nod. “I will see it done.”

  “That’s a good lad,” Dresdyn said with a smile as his blue eyes glittered with pride.

  “Oh, Dresdyn,” Klaryssa murmured with a smile as her large, brown eyes became moist with joyful tears. “Thank you.”

  Dresdyn could not stop the smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth, any more than he could ignore the elation in his heart from making his mate so jubilant. “Think nothing of it, my sweet.” I live for your happiness.

  4

  After dinner, and after having bid goodnight to Wilem, Klaryssa walked along beside Dresdyn as he led the way down the corridor. Their pace was leisurely and easy, and Klaryssa found herself enjoying the quiet moment with the man who was to be her husband. The entire day had been a mad whirlwind, and it was only during dinner that Klaryssa had begun getting to know the man who had in the span of a few hours become her savior, her benefactor, and the man she desired above all others.

  While he was certainly rough around the edges, Dresdyn was nevertheless proving himself to be a genuinely good man who was capable of great kindness and love. Klaryssa could see it in the way Dresdyn spoke and interacted with Wilem. Not once had Dresdyn treated or spoken to the lad like he was an unwanted burden, and the pride and affection in the older man’s eyes were obvious for anyone to see. Then, there was the fact that Dresdyn was opening his home to Klaryssa’s father and sister, when he could have just as easily have left them to whatever fate and life the two of them could manage to carve out for themselves.

  Dynol had truly smiled upon Klaryssa that day.

  Dresdyn watched Klaryssa out of the corner of his eye, and his heart warmed at the sight of the smile spreading over her beautiful face. “What has prompted such a lovely smile?” he asked with a small smile of his own.

  Klaryssa shyly averted her eyes as a blush crept into her cheeks. “You,” she replied softly.

  “Me? Dresdyn asked as his smile grew a fraction of an inch. “What about me?”

  “Everything,” Klaryssa answered before she could stop herself. Her blush deepened as she bashfully lifted her gaze to Dresdyn’s. “You are handsome, kind, generous, and you make me feel…”

  “What do I make you feel?” Dresdyn whispered as he gently pulled Klaryssa to a halt.

  “Alive,” Klaryssa whispered while gazing up into Dresdyn’s eyes. “As though I’m seeing everything for the very first time, but there’s more to it than that.”

  “Such as?” Dresdyn asked softly while tenderly tucking a lock of golden hair behind Klaryssa’s ear. “Tell me,” he entreated while lightly brushi
ng his knuckles over his mate’s cheek.

  “Since being with you, I feel truly safe and complete,” Klaryssa murmured. “And, for the first time in my life, I feel as though I’m finally where I belong.”

  Dresdyn smiled and gently tangled a hand into Klaryssa’s hair. “Because you are. You will always be safe with me. Never will I harm you, and always will I protect you, my beloved mate.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against Klaryssa’s. “And you are exactly where you belong,” he murmured. “You were born for me, just as I was born for you.” He kissed her again. “And together, we make each other whole.”

  “Oh, Dresdyn,” Klaryssa whispered with a smile while nestling into her betrothed’s taller frame. She sighed contentedly when she felt Dresdyn’s arms wrap around her and hold her close. “I never thought I would be so lucky as to have something like this with someone. I believed for so long that a connection as deep as this would be forever out of my reach, and yet...here I am. In truth, I barely know you, yet, you feel so very familiar to me.”