Page 59 of A Spark Of Revenge

“Senior Drakos?” she whispers, holding out her small hand, which he grabs immediately before stepping to her side, pulling her tightly into his arms, and beginning to dance.

Well, shit. There goes my escort.

“Little Demon,” Nox growls under his breath, wiggling his fingers impatiently at me as I reluctantly take his hand and then gasp as he yanks me hard to him. My chest slams into his as his strong arm bands around my waist, holding me so close I can feel every plane and divot of his body against mine. Heat immediately pools in my center, and I clench my thighs in response as I glare daggers up at him. Nox starts leading me in a flawless dance, his feet moving mine as he glides over the floor. “I’m convinced you were placed on this earth to try my patience,” he growls low, ducking his head so I can hear him over the music.

I snort in response and look up at him, still confused about how he’s able to dance without me stepping on his damn toes. “What patience?” I snark back at him as he glares at me, the air around us heating with his dark magic. He suddenly spins me, making the dress billow out around my feet before pulling me back close, his lips brushing over the shell of my ear as he chuckles.

“You and I have that in common, don't we? And why are you out of bed? I told Creed to keep you there after what happened last night,” he rasps, and I shiver, partially from his hot breath on my neck but also from the reminder of that awful dream.

“I’m fine,” I whisper, some of my annoyance melting when I remember this man did save my life today. Even if he's a prick, I'm not too much of an ungrateful brat not to say thank you. “Thanks for, you know… keeping me alive,” I mutter as Nox stands up straight, his brows furrowed as he stares down at me with an odd expression on his handsome face.

“You are not fine. You should be in bed. Your muscles are still weak, and your magic is barely holding on. It's almost as dark as it was before you brought Valen back. Elaine should have never brought you to this,” he mutters darkly, ignoring my thanks while shooting his next dirty look at the woman dancing in Victor’s arms.

“You healed me, remember?” I point out, which doesn't seem to help at all.

“Yes,” Nox hisses, body tensing as he spins me around the room, moving faster than before. “I healed you, Meyer. Meaning, I know every fucking injury you endured! I felt your pain as my own as I tried to keep your damn heart beating. So you will have to forgive me for wanting you to stay in bed for one goddamn day!” he snarls, taking me by surprise at the genuine worry and fear in his eyes. His raw emotions make me stumble for the first time during our dance. Lennox curses, his arms banding tight around me, catching me before I can trip and lifting me off my feet, carrying me from the dance floor and out one of the doors nearby.

The startling difference between the brightly lit and loud dining hall and the dark, silent hall is shocking as I hold on to Nox.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask nervously, still unsure if I trust him or not. Nox scoffs, bearded jaw tightening as he spins us, pressing my back to the stone wall before boxing me in with his arms.

“Not even saving your life will earn your trust. Will it, Meyer? How many times have I kept you breathing up here? Hmm? How many more times must I do so in order for you to understand I don't want you dead!” he roars in my face, shoulders heaving and sparking my anger in return.

“Lennox, I don't think you want me dead! I don't want you dead either or I wouldn't have thrown the only knife I had to defend myself to save you!” I scream back in response. “And I’m grateful that you saved me,” I add, softening my voice a little so people inside the dining hall won't hear our argument. “But that doesn't mean I trust you,” I add, making Nox snarl in frustration and punch the stone wall behind me. I watch his body grow before me, his shoulders widening as his teeth sharpen. In the back of my mind, I know that I should be scared. Hell, I should be goddamn terrified… but I’m not.

“You're too damn stubborn,” he growls in frustration, raising a clawed hand and collaring my neck with it. I swallow as excitement runs through my veins, my body instantly reacting to Nox’s as my nipples pebble against the smooth leather of the dress's corset.

“And you have anger issues,” I point out, trying to ignore the burst of arousal deep in my belly as I press my hands to his chest and shove at him, trying to get a little space from his dark, masculine scent that makes my mind melt.

“Stop pushing me away!” he snarls, voice deepening as his eyes glow with an unnatural light.

“Stop being an asshole, and I fucking would! You want me to trust you? Then earn it. So far, all you do is purposely piss me off and treat me like a damn toy you want to play with,” I accuse, and this time Lennox stalls, frowning and leaning back, granting me the space I so desperately need. Nox curses under his breath as he hangs his head, his shoulders slowly shrinking back to normal.

“You’re not a toy, Meyer,” he rasps, looking a little defeated and making me feel bad for chewing him out.

“You're not an asshole,” I mutter, feeling like I should say something nice as well, then frown when I realize I just lied. “For the most part,” I add, making Nox chuckle as he looks back up at me, his eyes lightening as he shakes his head. “Nox?” I ask, pursing my lips at his sudden change in mood, wondering if I can get one of my questions answered.

“Hmm?” he asks, his eyes moving from mine down to my lips when I lick them nervously. He groans under his breath and leans in slightly, his hands moving to my hips as he presses me harder against the wall.

“What is your real name? Not the one you go by here… but your Demon one. Victor called you Prince Darakh,” I whisper, then hold my breath as Nox’s lips thin into a straight line.

“Victor,” he hisses under his breath as his fingers grip my hips harder. “If you want Elaine's little toy to live through the night, you will not call him by his given name again,” Nox warns, and my shoulders slouch in disappointment when asshole Nox makes a reappearance. When I nod in agreement, Nox grunts in approval but doesn't move, staying dangerously close to my face, our lips only inches apart. “You wouldn't be able to pronounce my entire Demonic name. But my mother calls me Garthelaun,” he whispers, and I roll his name around in my mind, frowning.

“Garth-e-lawn?” I try to say, making Nox’s entire face transform as a full smile splits across his face, and he nods.

“Close enough. But only my mother calls me that. I go by several names in Versipellis. However, Lennox is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and I’m considering keeping it when we head home.” Lennox shifts forward, still arched over me, keeping me pinned to the wall as his hands slowly start to inch their way up from my waist. My breath catches, and my heart races in my chest as his hands skim over the leather of my corset, his big thumbs caressing the underside of my breasts as he leans into me.

“Why?” I ask breathlessly, then moan as his thick fingers move up to my collarbone, one hand wrapping around my neck as the other weaves itself into my hair, fisting my blonde strands in his strong hand and tipping my head back, making me gasp when his lips skim over my own. The touch so soft, I don't know if I imagined it or not.

“Lennox,” I gasp against his lips, my voice deeper than normal, making a rumbling growl burst from Nox’s chest in response, a feral smile spreading over his face.

“That's why,” he rasps before taking my mouth with his as my eyes widen in understanding. He likes the way I moan his name.

Firm, unyielding lips press against mine as Lennox kisses me senseless, an electric chill shooting through me, making my toes curl in the shoes Elaine lent me as Lennox pulls me closer to him, deepening our kiss and forcing his tongue between my lips. Everything about our kiss is deep, dark, and full of a possessiveness that I can’t help but crave. A thrill shoots through me as I return everything Nox gives me tenfold. Wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself against his lips so hard, I know they'll be bruised in the morning.

He tastes like spiced rum and sugar, our tongues tangling as he groans, the sound shoots straight to my pulsing clit as my legs shake. I cling to him when I feel like my knees are about to buckle, and almost like he can also sense it, Nox lifts me off my feet, encouraging me to wind my legs around his waist as we keep our heated kiss going.

“Meyer,” he rasps into my mouth, teeth grazing my bottom lip as he sucks it into his mouth. I feel something stir deep inside me, something dark and almost animalistic. It simultaneously gives me a thrill and scares the ever-living shit out of me, and I gasp, drawing back from Lennox’s mouth with wide eyes. “Fuuuuck!” he snarls, as his entire body quakes, the corded muscles in his thick neck flexing as Nox slams his eyes shut and slowly sets me to my feet.

---