Page 112 of King of Fire and Flames

“Rather drastic,” she said, pulling me close and kissing me. “You’ve been extremely busy. How was this achieved in no more than a month?”

I grinned and wriggled my fingers, lightning flickering between them. “Light Realm fae are very strong and clever.”

“And have storm magic. Well, you’ve certainly put it to good use. Impressive Underfloor transformation and commendable personal growth aside, I’d really like to hear your plans for me when we reach your apartment.”

With my finger, I caressed the diagonal line of tiny buttons along her collarbone. “First, I’ll undo these, and perhaps a few other things, too. Not long after, I plan to make you scream my name about a hundred times. Possibly more.”

“Sounds wonderful. Shall we get on with it, then?” She held out her arm, and I linked mine through it, tilting my head toward a new exit near the springs.

Walking quickly, I guided her down a corridor lined with tropical plants to a glass door that led into an outdoor courtyard. “Hold on tight.” I grabbed her and shot into the air. “Don’t scream,” I said at the same time she screeched in my ear and almost permanently destroyed my hearing.

“Too late,” she said. “Sorry.”

Her breathy laugh aroused my desire, hot flames licking over me.

We spiraled through the air, our bodies pressed together, arms wrapped tightly around each other, and our lips tender as we kissed. Time slowed to a standstill, the night sounds of hunting hawks, the rushing wind, fading into a dream. Nothing else existed but my Aldara and the erratic beat of her heart. The silk-soft caress of her lips.

Twirling slowly downward, we landed in the pavilion, and I tried to imagine how it felt for her to be here again. The warm tiles. The violent mosaic above. The caress of the auron rose-scented breeze. The shackle anchors in the floor. Coridon’s glittering lights.

Memories seemed to rush over her, her skin flushing hot, cold, then hot again as she pulled out of my arms and paced around the pavilion’s edge. No doubt a track she had walked many times over while fear, rage, humiliation, possibly even desire had shuddered through her.

Back when she was my captive. My lost girl. My fiercest adversary.

“Leaf, stop,” I said, agony twisting my features. I couldn’t bear to see her suffering. I curled my fingers and beckoned her closer. “Please. Come here.”

She unclenched her fists and did as I asked, stopping an arm’s length away. I closed the distance between us with one step and found myself looming over her.

“You know, Arrow, your tallness is rather annoying,” she said with a smile.

“That’s funny.” A smirk tugged the corner of my mouth. “I was just thinking the same thing. It can be challenging to reach you all the way down there. And it’s strange, but I don’t find anything about you annoying, my Aldara.”

“Liar.” She laughed.

As I gathered her in my arms, lightning flashed over the mountains, and the room’s loose kanara feathers rose in the air, rushing toward us and swirling around our bodies, like iridescent black snow.

The heady drug of anticipation thrummed though my veins as I stroked her cheek, my fingernail gently scraping a trail of dried blood before I lifted her chin to my kiss with a finger.

Our eyes locked as we inched closer. My palms framed her face, and I took a long breath. “I love you,” I said. “More than I ever thought I could love anything or anyone. You’ve surprised me at every turn.”

My lips brushed hers. “Fascinated me.”

A stroke of my tongue against the wet silk of hers. “Challenged me.”

A nip of my teeth. “I am a better fae, king, lover, and friend because you taught me how to break free from my past.”

I pressed my fingers into the base of her skull. “Thank you, my Aldara.” Another whisper-soft kiss. “Thank you.”

Shifting her head to the perfect angle, I kissed her as if it were our last time together. As if I would never again be allowed to look at her, touch her. I wound my fingers through her hair, tipping her head back to deepen the kiss.

I could have stayed like that forever, content, in bliss, but my hand, apparently, had other ideas and slowly traced the curve of her body, settling on her hip, desperate to delve lower.

I sighed, dropping soft kisses on her eyelids before forcing myself to step backward. “You must be so tired,” I said. “Also, you’re—”

“Soaked in the blood of our enemies?” She grinned. “So, yeah. I’d really love a bath.”

“You can have anything you desire. Simply name it.”

Raising one dark eyebrow, she bit the edge of her smile and gave my body a slow perusal, her emerald eyes lingering on the hard outline pressing against my leathers.

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