Page 79 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

“Why did you kiss me?” I ask.

“To make you smile too.” He grips the back of my headdress, tugging me closer, our lips clashing. It starts sweet and slow, but it isn’t long before we are devouring each other. My hands are on the front of his robes, tugging him nearer as our tongues tangle, both of us unable to get close enough.

His other hand drops to my hip, urging me on, and I swing my leg across his lap, both of us laughing as our clothes get tangled, but it soon ends in a moan as I press down onto his crotch, kissing him and unable to stop.

I know we should, but as his hand slips under my dress, caressing my thigh, I let myself live for a moment. I let myself enjoy this because I know once we stop his killer, I will lose Joha, and I can admit now I don’t want to.

I don’t want to lose him.

I want him.

Chapter

Forty-Four

CRUX

My nostrils flare in anger as I perch on the beam near the ceiling. I came to track Alyx down after finding the thrones empty, but I didn’t expect to walk in on this.

The window in the ceiling allowed me to gain access, and I was going to surprise her, maybe even let her attack me before she would give me a reward for all my hard work. Instead, I’m staring at her and Joha locked together, their moans filling the air. His hand sneaks under her dress as she pins him to the window.

I hate it.

I hate him.

She’s mine. She has always belonged to me, and she will always belong to me. He doesn’t get to take her away. He might be a king, but so am I. Forgetting why I’m here, I drop to my feet loudly. They break apart, both breathing heavily, their eyes wide.

“Crux?” Alyx asks, her cheeks heated with desire.

I lunge across the room, my anger taking over, and grab the king before he can say a word. I slam my fist into his stomach, and he bends over, gasping for air as I lift him by the neck and throw him across the room. I crouch above him as he lies on the floor, pressing my dagger to his neck.

“You think I won’t kill you?” I growl, pressing it in until I see a drop of blood. “I spared you once, but I won’t again.”

“Enough.” I hear the order as a blade presses against my own neck.

Alyx.

“You would kill me to save him?” I snap.

“No, but I’d maim you,” she replies. “Let him go. He is not your enemy, Crux.”

“Anyone who tries to take you from me is my enemy,” I snarl, turning my head slowly and meeting her conflicted gaze.

“I am not yours to own. Don’t forget that.” She presses the blade deeper. “On your feet.” I rise slowly, her dagger unwavering—I taught her well.

“You forget that I taught you everything you know.” I bring my arm down, snapping it across hers so the dagger goes tumbling to the ground.

She turns, her leg coming up as she spins, hitting my chest, and I fly into the wall. “Not everything.” She smirks, raising an eyebrow. “If you want to fight, Crux, then you’ll be fighting me, not him.”

The door bursts open just then, but neither of us spare it a look as Joha clambers to his feet. “My king,” comes a worried shout.

“Get Joha out of here,” she calls to the guard dog Orion. “I’ve got him.”

“Alyx,” Joha protests.

“Go,” she demands, no doubt reading the intention in my eyes. If he stays, he’s dead.

There’s some shuffling, but neither of us looks away until we hear the door close, and then we move, hitting each other midair.

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