Page 89 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

I keep working my fingers, applying pressure to my most sensitive spot. It feels so good that I have to fight the urge to press my thighs together.

“Don’t you dare close those legs,” Viridian rasps, leaning back in his chair. He’s still stroking himself through his pants, and the sight of it heightens the white-hot pleasure coursing through me.

I moan, and Viridian’s breaths get heavier. My eyes lock with his, and I don’t have the strength to look away.

Nor do I want to.

I moan again, but this time I bite my lip to keep the noise down.

“Louder, Little Fawn.”

Too close to the edge to form words, I nod, opening my mouth slightly. My moans come faster now, louder. Viridian’s motions across his hardness quicken, his strokes in time with my moans. The sensation between my legs builds, and builds, and builds, until I nearly can’t take it.

I cry out when I come undone, utter bliss wracking through my body.

Chest heaving, I take deep breaths, still reeling from my climax.

Viridian stands, flexing his hands before balling them into fists. Then he makes for the door without another word, his mouth tense as if he’s restraining himself.

Chapter Twenty-Two

I’m still replaying last night’s events in my mind when I wake.

It’s only when Tiffy and my ladies’ maids arrive to prepare me for the day that I finally empty my mind of what Viridian and I did last night. Though, despite my trying, I can’t fully clear my focus.

After I eat my breakfast, Tiffy sits me down at my vanity table to style my hair. She starts combing my auburn waves and flashes me a knowing grin.

“So,” she gushes, wiggling her brows. “How did it go with His Highness?”

“Wonderful,” I tell her, doing nothing to fight the hint of the smile that pulls at my lips.

“I knew it! You are positively radiant this morning, Miss,” she purrs. “The Crown Prince is quite the lucky male.”

I hold my hands in my lap and look down at them.

Maybe…

I dare to let myself finish the thought.

Maybe there is a future for Viridian and me.

One I hadn’t allowed myself to consider before.

“In fact,” Tiffy continues, her expression animated, “he’s already asked to see you today.”

I perk up. “He has?”

“Yes.” Tiffy nods. “He’s asked you to meet him by the main staircase once you’re dressed.”

That rustles the butterflies in my stomach. I let them spread their wings. “Then I’d better get dressed.”

Tiffy helps me up and into my day gown, fussing over me like a mother hen until she’s sure I look my best. Even though my outfit and hair today are nothing special.

When I leave my bedchamber, I can see that Viridian’s already waiting for me in the open space between the main staircase and the East Tower’s entrance.

“Cryssa,” he breathes. “You’re here.”

“You asked to see me?” I say, looking at him expectantly.

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