Page 138 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

“Exactly.” Viridian sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “The council is trapped here with the rest of us, but he refuses to see them. I’ve demanded an audience with him again and again, but he won’t even see me.” He takes a deep breath. “He’s panicking. That, I know.”

I reach for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his.

“Why?” I ask. “What is he so afraid of?”

“I’m not sure,” Viridian admits. “But I know him. He knows something about this curse. Much more than he wants us, and especially the council, to believe. But he won’t tell me anything.” Then he tilts his head back, pressing his eyes shut. “You have no idea how many times I’ve asked. I don’t know what to do now. I’m at a loss, Cryssa.”

“I know.” I give his hand a light squeeze. “How is the council taking all this?”

“They’re absolutely furious.” His brows knit together. “I can’t blame them. I’m furious.” He shakes his head a little, passion filling his words. “What kind of king hides behind stone walls while his people are suffering? While they’re dying?” I see the spark light in his eyes. The fire that now burns. “I will not stand idly by while dark magic destroys this kingdom from the inside out. I can’t.”

“And you won’t,” I assure him. “We will get to the bottom of this. We will make things right.”

He nods, pressing his mouth into a fine line.

His gaze finds mine again, softening. “I love you.”

“And I love you.” I lean forward, touching my lips to his.

He kisses me and smiles against my lips before claiming my mouth again. My hands find the back of his head, my fingers stretching through his hair. He holds my face with both hands, and his sweet kisses lose their softness. My skin feels hot, electricity trickling across my body.

Then his mouth parts from mine. He lowers his head to my neck, touching his lips there. Waiting.

Letting out a breath, I close my eyes and lean my head back.

Viridian licks his lips and then presses more kisses to my neck, moving up and down. My breath quickens. He sucks and lightly nips at the skin just beneath my jawline.

I let out a soft moan.

Viridian’s hands cup my breasts, lightly kneading them. The touch stokes the fire burning inside me. I lay back, pulling him down with me. He steadies himself above me, hips pinned to mine.

“Mmm,” he hums, voice low. The sound alone is enough to melt my core. “Do you want more, Little Fawn?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “Gods, yes.”

He grins wickedly. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

He rocks his hips, driving his hard length against me. I curse, wrapping my legs around his waist. I’m already wet for him.

And he knows it.

But he doesn’t make me wait, this time. Lowering his hand to his erection, he poises himself against me and thrusts. I gasp, my fingernails clawing at his back.

Viridian quickens his pace, pounding into me over and over and over. His grunts fall in time with my moans. My breathing grows heavy, and so does Viridian’s.

Sensing how close I am, Viridian’s mouth mingles with mine, drowning out my cries when I climax. He works himself through my waves of pleasure, until he groans, and his ecstasy washes over me.

Finding my gaze, Viridian catches his breath. Tenderly, he brushes my hair out of my eyes and presses a kiss to my lips, before nestling his face into the crook of my neck. He lays here, on my chest, and I run my fingers through his hair. Every moment we spend like this, entangled in each other, is pure bliss.

I wish it would last forever.

Because something tells me I might not have many moments like this left.

A hurried knock at the door has both of us lurching upright. I clutch the sheets, holding them up to my chest in an effort to cover myself.

He glances at me before clearing his throat. “Enter.”

My chamber door opens, revealing a near-trembling servant.

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