Page 69 of King of Fire and Flames

“I’d wager five bags of gold feathers that in the hopes of keeping their cocks in working order, they’re standing guard halfway down the tower steps.”

“I believe you’re right.” Her laugh ghosted over my lips. “Hurry up and kiss me, you idiot. We don’t have much time.”

“You’ve changed your mind? Now you just want to be kissed?”

She slapped my shoulder. “You’re enjoying having me at your mercy.”

I grinned shamelessly. “I can’t deny it.”

“Control still makes you hot.”

“Yes, always,” I whispered against her skin as I turned her away and pressed her forearms against the wall. With feverish movements, I began unfastening the buttons that notched her spine.

She wriggled, trying to turn around. “Please, Arrow. Not my back.”

I froze. “Why not? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Please… just…”

I loosened my grip, allowing her to turn around. She smiled, her hand snaking down my stomach before pressing lightly against where I ached the most.

Clicking my tongue, I gripped her wrist. “Distractions won’t work. Show me what you’re trying to hide, or I swear I’ll lose control and betray my cover. I’ll take those two fucking guards out there, and I will—”

“All right. Calm down. It’s nothing,” she insisted, facing the wall again and leaning her cheek on the cool stone with a sigh.

The light in her chamber was dim, the sky outside dark, and only purple-and-red flames flickered from the hearth, illuminating the room and my Aldara’s skin.

Confused, but undeterred, I kissed the top of her spine, freezing instantly as my lips brushed raised bumps on her skin. My hands wrapping her shoulders, I moved her toward the light of the fire and peeled the crimson fabric away from her body. My blood boiled at the sight of flesh-colored runes burned into her back.

Fire magic, worked into my love’s skin by that fuckface Bakhur.

No one else would be moronic enough to touch, let alone mark, my Aldara. But the Fire Prince would pay for hurting her, many, many times over. All the ways I could end him spun through my mind. Slowly cooking his organs, first his cock, then his golden eyes, was by far my favorite idea.

A tremor rolled over Leaf’s shoulders, but she kept her back turned, unwilling now to look me in the eye. “Arrow, please stay calm or the guards will hear. Then whatever game you’re playing in the Sun Realm will end.”

The only game I played was the one that would set her free. But maybe now I had another objective—the death and destruction of Azarn’s son and heir.

“Tell me who did this,” I growled, even though I already knew the answer.

“I haven’t forgotten your vengeful nature.” She looked over her shoulder and whispered, “If I tell you, you’ll only put us in danger.”

“So be it. The Fire Prince is a dead man anyway.”

She shook her head, then turned to face me. “Why are you so obstinate? So set on revenge?”

“Me? I cannot believe you accuse me of something that you excel in. You are the stubborn one. Disobedient and willful, recklessly risking your life over and over.” My heart melted at her expression of outrage, and I smiled. I couldn’t help it. “But have I told you what else you are? Unique. Beautiful. Precious. Mine. Only mine.”

“A perfect answer,” she said, stroking my cheek. “Let’s agree to worry about Bakhur later. Right now, I want to feel you inside me, around me… everywhere. Quickly. Don’t waste a moment of our time together.”

“As you command.”

Like an explosion of auron kanara feathers, hope burst inside my chest as I walked her backward to the bed, then laid her down gently.

Did my stubborn human finally believe me?

“Leaf?” I began, my voice shaking. “Do you understand at last that I never betrayed you?”

“Sh, not now,” she said, trying to draw me down onto the bed. “Let me pretend we’re back in Coridon. Just love me, Arrow. Please.”

---