Page 20 of Angel of Ruin

"Now," I growl.

He nods curtly and turns away, herding the other humans back to their training area. I don't miss the way his eyes linger on Lyra, a predatory gleam in them that makes my grip on her tighten.

I drag Lyra away from the prying eyes of the other overseers and candidates. She stumbles, trying to keep up with my long strides.

"Let go of me!" she hisses, still fighting against my hold.

I ignore her as I drag Lyra away from the crowd, my fingers digging into her arm. Her skin burns hot beneath my touch, matching the fire in her eyes as she glares up at me. The little human thinks she can challenge me? In front of everyone?

"I said let go of me," she hisses, trying to wrench her arm free.

I tighten my grip. "Shut up and walk."

We reach my quarters, and I shove her inside, slamming the door behind us. The sound echoes through the room, emphasizing the sudden silence.

Lyra whirls on me, her chest heaving. "How dare you manhandle me like that? I'm not some puppet for you to jerk around!"

"No?" I advance on her, backing her against the wall. "Then what are you, little nexari? A warrior? A future xaphan?" I laugh, the sound harsh and mocking. "You're nothing but a weak human playing at being something greater."

Her eyes flash dangerously. "I am not weak. I've survived every trial you've thrown at me. I-"

I step forward, her words dying on her lips as I do, and back her up against the wall. Pinning her against the wall, my wings unfurl, creating a barrier between us and the rest of the world, reminding she can't escape me.

Lyra glares up at me, defiant despite the fear I can smell on her. It's intoxicating.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" I snarl, leaning in close. "You almost got yourself killed out there. If I hadn't caught you, you'd be nothing but a smear on the ground right now."

"Why did you?" she challenges, jutting her chin out defiantly. "Why bother saving me if I'm so weak and worthless?"

The question catches me off guard. Why did I save her? I should have let her fall, should have watched another human fail like they always do. But the thought of her broken body on the ground...

I growl, frustrated by my own conflicting emotions. "Don't read too much into it, little nexari."

"You're so fucking full of it," she spits. "You care. Admit it."

I slam my hand against the wall beside her head, making her flinch. "I don't care about anything, least of all some human girl with delusions of grandeur."

But even as I say the words, I know they're a lie. I do care. And that terrifies me more than anything.

As she opens her mouth, though, I snap. "Sweet Solis, you never shut the fuck up do you."

And I do the one thing I probably shouldn't. I roughly grip the back of her head and lift her face up to me, crashing my lips down on hers to shut her up.

Lyra stills, her breath hitching in her throat as my lips press against hers. Then, she sinks into the kiss, her body softening against mine. And fuck, once I have a taste of her, I completely lose it.

I grip her tighter, pulling her into me, and she responds in kind, fisting my tunic and pulling me closer. The kiss between us is like everything else has been—a fucking fight. And neither of us are yielding.

Her teeth nip at my lower lip, drawing a growl from deep within me. I retaliate, my tongue invading her mouth, claiming her. She tastes like sweet defiance, and I can't get enough. My hands roam over her body, exploring every curve and dip, as if they have a mind of their own. Her skin is hot, burning beneath my touch, and I want more.

Lyra's not content to just take; she's fighting back, her hands clawing at my clothes, trying to get them off. The fabric of my tunic tears under her urgent tugs, exposing my chest. Her fingers trace the lines of my muscles, sending shivers down my spine.

I break the kiss, only to trail my lips down her neck, nipping and sucking at her sensitive skin. She gasps, arching into me, her hands finding their way into my hair, pulling hard. The pain is sharp, but it only spurs me on.

My hands find the hem of her shirt, and I tear it off, not bothering with the niceties of undressing. I tear off her bra, too, and the sight of her bare skin makes my cock throb with need. I dip my head, taking one of her nipples into my mouth, rolling it between my teeth.

She cries out, her body writhing against mine. Her hands are at my waist, fumbling with the fastenings of my pants. She's eager, desperate, and it matches the wild need coursing through my veins.

I kick off my boots, stepping out of my pants as she pushes them down. We're both naked now, our bodies pressed against each other, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her eyes meet mine, and there's a challenge in them, a fiery determination that sets my blood on fire.

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