Page 123 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

“Lark? Fuck, was I too rough? Did I hurt you?”

For some stupid reason, a lump forms in my throat at his alarm. I shake my head. “I’m good. Please, don’t stop.”

Growling, he thrusts his hips. “You don’t ever have to beg. You feel incredible. Like you were made for me. I could live inside you and die a happy man.”

His declaration winds the pressure in my lower belly up even tighter. I like the possessive nature of his fingers digging into my hip. The bossy hand pinning me to the desk. I love how he takes charge, and I also love knowing he’ll stop the instant I ask. He might be hazardous to my heart, but I trust him with my body.

He pulls all the way out and slams back in. The delicious friction has me moaning. Listening for my nonverbal cues, he adjusts his position until he hits the right spot every time. With each thrust, I climb higher. My body belongs to him, but the connection I feel with him inside me isn’t just physical. It runs deeper than that, like something deep within him calls to the very essence of me.

My release closes in. Sensing it, his fingers slip between my legs. He circles his thumb once, twice. Three times. The fourth time unravels me, and with a curse, his thrusts turn frantic as he follows me into bliss.

Breathing hard, he collapses on top of me, pressing a kiss to my exposed shoulder. His heart pounds against my spine. I savor the weight of his body and warmth while I still can.

A minute passes while he strokes my hair. “I wish we could stay here all night.”

Voices outside the door interrupt my answer and snap me to attention. Someone knocks on the wood. “Instructor Thorne. I need to speak with you.”

Fear ices my skin. Torno.

Sterling’s fingers tighten on my shoulders. “Fuck. How does she know I’m here?”

Wiggling until he stands up, I yank my sleeves back up my arms and fix my bodice. I straighten my skirt next and comb my fingers through my hair. “How do I look?”

Thorne’s eyes graze over me, and the emotion in them spurs my pulse into a gallop. “You look like the woman I’d give anything to have. You look like you’re mine.”

A soft gasp escapes my lips. “I don’t…that’s not what I meant, but okay.”

Buttoning his trousers, Thorne presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “I’ll go first. You can wait a little bit and then come out after me. I’ll try to get back to you tonight, but if I don’t, good luck in the trial. Watch your back at all times, and stick close to your flight unit.”

I nod. “Okay.”

With one last lingering glance, he spins around and heads for the door to meet a grumpy-sounding Torno. “Took you long enough. The king would like a word.”

The door clicks shut, leaving me alone in the room with just my thumping heart. Scurrying across the floor, I crack open the door, peek into the hall, and find Torno and Thorne disappearing around a corner.

Slipping out, I creep down the hall after them, pausing once I reach the corner. Another peek shows Torno slipping into the second door down. She glances behind her, and I duck just in time.

I count to twenty and then tiptoe around the corner. The door they entered is shut. Inhaling a steadying breath, I reach for the doorknob, turning it bit by bit. I send up a silent prayer and ease the door open the tiniest crack, sagging a little in relief when it doesn’t creak. Pressing my ear to the crack, I strain to hear the conversation. Torno’s speaking.

“…worried about him when she first arrived, but he must have known what he was doing…caught her leaving…quarters…and pretty sure he just…with her in the salon.”

The booming laugh that follows almost makes me jump. “Leave it to Sterling to have his cake and eat it too. Nothing wrong with getting a hot piece of ass while on assignment.”

In the lingering pause, my heart sputters. Dread floods my veins like ice water. The king resumes talking. “What’s that look on your face for? Don’t tell me you have feelings for her.”

Thorne chuckles. “The only feelings I have are the ones between my legs when I’m buried between her thighs. Pretending to return her infatuation was the easiest way to get close to her, and there’s no denying I enjoyed the perks.”

Torno scoffs in disgust. “Can you please save the gory details of…conquest for when…not in the room?”

“So? What did you find out? Is she the dragoncaller?”

“I don’t know. It’s possible, but I’m leaning toward no. She shows an aptitude with fire, but I haven’t noted any connection or effects on the dragons or alicorns.”

“Hmm,” the king says. “Well, let’s hope the trial gives us a more definitive answer.”

“If that’s all for now, I’m going to head to my quarters.” Thorne’s voice grows louder.

“That’s fine. I need to speak to the vice commander, anyway.”

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