Page 72 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

Ah yes. The ruse of the happy couple. Our cover story for our little excursion in Keuron.

I frown at him. He turns his face from mine, beaming.

I do the same, plastering a smile on my face. Dread lines my stomach.

It isn’t as difficult to pretend as it should be. Viridian must be a better actor than I am.

“You there,” he beckons to the closest servant. “Find Lord Tarrantree and Lady Wynterliff. Tell them to meet us in the first-floor library.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” The servant bows.

Still holding my hand, Viridian and I move further down the corridor, past the staircase, and toward the first floor-library.

Without warning, he hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. But this time, there is no butter knife between us.

I slam into him, with only my palms to his chest to catch myself.

The intensity of his amber stare steals the breath from my lungs. He parts his lips, filling my head with unholy thoughts.

Thoughts of his mouth on my neck. His tongue on my collarbones.

My breasts.

Is this all part of the ruse?

If so, then he truly is far more convincing than I could ever be.

He smirks, eyes falling to my lips, and then back up to mine.

“Tell me, Little Fawn. Are your thoughts as impure as mine?”

“No,” I lie, though my voice is a shell of what it should be.

Viridian clicks his tongue, a dark haze coloring his expression. “I don’t believe you.”

“Well, you should.”

“Mmm, is that so? Why should I believe your words when your eyes are saying something else?”

“And what are my eyes saying?” I ask coyly.

He lowers his face to mine, until our mouths are merely inches apart. “That you crave my touch as badly as I crave yours.”

I suck in a breath.

“Is that true, Little Fawn? Do you want me to touch you?”

I can’t deny it. Not anymore.

“Yes.” Disgust courses through me. I shouldn’t do this with him, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Why do I want him so desperately?

“Good.” He grins, and I hate myself for encouraging him.

I turn my face, but his hand on my cheek stops me. My eyes are drawn to his, and I can’t look away.

Molten amber pours from him and into me, melting my core.

Viridian presses his face to my neck and inhales deeply. “You smell divine.”

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