Page 58 of King of Fire and Flames

My fingers twisted in Arrow’s hair at the base of his neck, as though I would tug him away. But I didn’t. I held him in place as if my life depended on it.

Closer.

Tighter.

Forever.

“You sold me to Taln,” I thought carefully, focusing on each word so he would understand. “You said you’d always come for me. You told me that more than once, Arrow. But you didn’t come.”

“Shh, I’m here now,” he soothed. “No more words. The ruse must be acted out. I have so much I wish to say to you and no time. No time at all.”

“Tell me one thing,” I thought as he took a last sip, then licked my wound. “Does your power work in Taln?”

He gripped my neck tighter, as if he would strangle me, his fingers digging into my muscles. “No, I’m afraid not. Your blood gives me strength. The small amount I took from you in the forest allowed me to use a very light glamour on Azarn to ensure he would agree to let me visit you. But no amount of blood will help me access storm magic through Melaya’s block. But don’t worry. I have a few ideas about how to get you out of Taln.”

“And they are?”

“A conversation for another day. Now get up and act like you hate me.”

“That shouldn’t be difficult,” I said as he pushed off the bed, leaving me shivering in his absence.

For the guards’ benefit, I said aloud, “I’ll always hate you for this, Arrowyn Ramiel.”

Ignoring his grimace and the wave of dizziness that rushed over me, I slid off the bed, staggered to the closet, and pulled out my cloak. No, not my cloak. It was his cloak.

It had never truly been mine.

I dangled it from my finger as if it was a filthy rag. A broken promise. A withered heart.

“Take it,” I said. “I never want to feel it on my skin again.”

He blanched. “But it’s yours.” He stepped closer and dropped his voice to an urgent whisper. “Please.”

“Take it, Storm King, or I’ll throw it in the fire.” He stared at the cloak, and I released my grip and let it drop on the floor.

The guards hissed in audible breaths. Purple flames crackled in the hearth. Outside, the rhythmic chirping of nearby crickets could be heard over the gentle crash of waves against the cliffs.

With a soft sigh, Arrow picked up the cloak and hung it on a hook by the door. Then his gaze flicked to the guards, indicating that what he was about to do was for them alone. By the time he looked back at me, his expression had turned to stone.

Storming forward, he backed me against the wall next to the window, the same way he’d done last night in his room. But this time, our rapt audience shifted their weight, weapons clinking in anticipation of violence.

Everyone in the realms had heard tales of the Storm King’s ruthless nature, but I was finally beginning to grasp that the stories were wildly exaggerated.

“Talk to me like that again, human, and I’ll show you exactly who’s in control. Want me to fuck you in front of them?”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I spat out.

“Azarn gave me leave to do whatever I wanted with you. It would be no crime,” he snarled back.

Was this still an act? It felt so real. The cruel prod of his body against mine. The furious steel flashing in his eyes. Only moments ago, he had declared his devotion, and now, he threatened violence and humiliation. Confusion spun through my mind. Could I trust him?

Without warning, warm lips crashed against mine, swallowing my muffled cry as he kissed me more cruelly than he’d ever done before. Instead of fear, hot flames engulfed me, licking at my core.

His teeth scraped, tongue stroked, and his fingers dug so firmly into my flesh I thought I’d pass out or spread my legs and beg him to plow into me and end the torment. Take me on that long, blissful ride to oblivion.

The kind of oblivion only he could give me.

Right now, the entire Fire Court could’ve been watching, and I would’ve willingly let him have me.

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