Page 39 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

Gee, so sorry my near splat on the rocks below is keeping you from your favorite hobbies…like torturing kittens or making babies cry.

I dip my chin and catch a glimpse of an alicorn wing. My stomach plunges. “No, thank you. Sir.”

“What do you mean, ‘no, thank you?’”

I can almost hear him gritting his teeth.

“I mean, no. Thank you. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather climb down.”

“‘If it’s all the same to me,’ she says.” The bemused note in his voice has me wondering what kind of expression he’s wearing. His growl a moment later kills my curiosity. “Duchess, I don’t give a single fuck about what you’d rather do. As your instructor, I am ordering you to let go of the wall and get your ass on this alicorn. Now.”

As much as I’d love to, I can’t risk disobedience. No doubt he’d hound me the entire climb down and act even more insufferable during flight training. Besides, the rock has gotten too slippery.

“But how can you catch me? The alicorn’s wings?—”

“I’ll catch you.”

His firm reply allows for no argument. Maybe I’m a fool, but something in me trusts his confidence.

“Okay. I’m letting go.” My fingers revolt by tightening their grip. “I’m…not sure if I can.”

He mutters under his breath. “You can. If you don’t, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

The threat in his words causes a whimper to catch in my throat. The thought of me dropping onto the alicorn on my own is horrifying enough. But the prospect of Thorne yanking me onto the creature’s back instead is a thousand times worse.

After several failed attempts, I finally uncurl my fingers and let go. Yelping, I fall for only a moment before icy-cold latches around my waist, jerking me sideways until a strong arm replaces it. The ice whip Thorne summoned vanishes. Terror seizes my muscles, but somehow, I manage to straddle the alicorn. Thorne pulls my back against his chest, his warmth seeping in through my damp gown.

The alicorn moves, and I flinch, lashing out with my hands to grasp the closest source of stability.

Thorne grunts. “Here, hold onto the reins instead.”

I shake my head. “I would, but I can’t see them.”

“Why can’t you see them?”

The alicorn swoops, the motion plucking a frightenedyipfrom my throat. “Because my eyes are shut.”

“Why are…never mind. Here, I’ll hand them to you. As much as I enjoy a woman squeezing my thighs, now isn’t the appropriate place or time.”

Oh, gods. I manage to peel my eyes open for a quick peek and…yup. I’m clutching Instructor Thorne’s thighs like a starving villager clutching two fresh loaves of bread. Heat burns my face and neck. “Sorry. I didn’t realize…”

Thankfully, he doesn’t use the opportunity to mock me further, instead pushing the reins into my palm and curling my fingers around the leather. Cold air blows on my skin as the alicorn coasts to the ground. Unconsciously, I lean back into Thorne’s warmth. My breaths begin to cycle at an alarming rate, so I try to focus on anything other than my current situation. With my eyes squeezed shut, I notice how snugly Thorne and I fit together. The hard strength of his chest pressing into my back. The firm grip of his thighs around mine. The delicious way he smells, of leather and soap and spice.

As soon as the direction of my thoughts registers, horror skewers my gut. By the heavens, no. I don’t care how traumatic this experience has been, there’s no excuse for lusting after Instructor Thorne. Even if he is hotter than the desert sun. Even if his rescues are becoming habitual. For one, the man’s an absolute ass. For two, he’s my teacher. For three, he’s an absolute ass. Yes, I counted that last one twice, but he’s such a dickhead most of the time that it bears repeating.

I’m so distracted by my momentary slip of sanity that I forget my fear. When Zephyr’s hooves strike the ground in front of the dorms, shock ricochets through my bones. We made it. In one piece.

Thorne dismounts first. Once he’s off, he grabs me around the waist to help me dismount as well. I release a shuddering breath, relieved to be back on solid footing. The damp grass feels amazing under my bare feet. Safe. I’m tempted to drop to my knees and kiss the ground, but Thorne has enough reasons to sneer at me without adding another to the list.

“What in the gods’ names are you wearing?”

The strangled quality to his voice prompts me to open my eyes, where I find his gaze focused on my gown. My damp gown. Glancing down, I see the material clings to my breasts in a way that leaves little to the imagination.

Warmth floods my cheeks. Part of me wants to die on the spot. I clear my throat and cross my arms over my chest. I swear, if even one rude or mocking comment leaves his mouth, I might just strangle him.

Our eyes meet, and my previous thoughts scatter like dust. The heat in his stare is unmistakable, making me wonder if he shares in my inconvenient lust. If he, too, noticed how good his body felt pressed up against mine.

The air between us thickens, and his gaze dips to my mouth. Warmth unfurls in my belly. Tempting me. I wonder what would happen, if I leaned in and planted my lips?—

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