He sighed in a way that indicated he was seeking patience…

““He sighed in a way that indicated he was seeking patience and he replied, “No, Cora. They know you’re a Hawthorne.” He pulled back on the reins, Salem stopped but I felt my brows draw together. “What does that mean?” I asked but he didn’t answer. He swung his leg around, dismounted with practiced ease then his hands spanned my waist and he pulled me down and set me between him and Salem. Close between him and Salem. He tipped his chin down, caught my eyes in the bright lights of the gaily lit lanterns and muttered, “Right, your game.” My previously light heart sunk like a rock. I wasn’t convincing him. Damn. “Tor,” I whispered but said no more when his big hand came up and curled warm around my neck. “It means, love, that you’re mine and what’s mine is part of me and I’m royalty.” My body jolted and my voice was a muted shriek when I cried, “What?” “Quiet,” he clipped, not releasing my eyes. I got up to my toes and whispered, “You’re royalty?” “Yes.” “Royalty,” I repeated, just to confirm. “Yes,” he forced out through his teeth. “Honest to God, blue-blood royalty?” I kept at it, not taking it in. His brows shot together as he replied, “Gods, woman, my blood’s red just like yours.” “You””

— Kristen Ashley