Page 58 of Fallen Star

His mother died.

His father’s losing his mind.

As far as I know, he’s an only child.

If he loses Ghost… I can’t help but worry something in him will break. Permanently. Just like what happened to his father when he lost his queen.

“We’ll search as hard as we can,” I say, and without thinking, I reach for his hand. “I promise.”

His fingers intertwine with mine, sending a rush of warmth through my body. And when he looks at me, the intensity in his silver eyes steals my breath away.

“Sapphire...” he breathes my name like a prayer, his gaze flickering to my lips.

My heart pounds, a chaotic drumbeat in my chest.

I don’t move away. Despite everything that’s happened so far, this feels different. This isn’t a deal we’re making, and it isn’t a bribe to blackmail me into doing what he wants.

It’s just me and Riven, in a moment of vulnerability, in a bubble of calmness sheltered from the storm raging outside.

The tension finally snaps.

He closes the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that’s slow and deliberate.

Like he’s giving me a chance to stop him.

But I don’t. I can’t. The heat of his touch, the taste of him—it’s overwhelming and intoxicating, and I lean into him, gripping his shirt like he’s the only solid thing in the room.

The storm rages on outside, but in here, all I can feel is him. Every touch, every movement, pulls me deeper under his spell.

I don’t want to fight it.

I never wanted to fight it. Not really. I thought Ishouldfight it, and I tried, but it wasn’t what I wanted.

But in here with him now, everything’s different.

“If you want to stop, tell me now,” he says, his voice a rough whisper against my skin. “If you don’t?—”

“No,” I interrupt before he can continue. “Don’t stop. I don’t want to stop.”

He pulls me closer, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself forget about the storm, about Zoey, about the impossible journey to come.

Right now, all that exists is the way his body fits against mine, and the storm raging between us that’s far stronger than both the one howling outside, and the hunger growing steadily inside me.

Zoey

My stomach plummetsas Aerix strides into view, his midnight eyes colder than ever as they sweep over me. His shadowy wings are unfurled, framing him like a living nightmare, and his silk finery gleams in the moonlight.

Prince.

He’s aprince.

All those hours together—the shared meal, the conversations, the journey through the forest—and he never once mentioned his true identity.

Then again, I hadn’t thought to ask.

Without a word, he strides past me and takes the sixth and final throne.

“Leave us,” the queen commands the servants, and they’re out the door before I can blink, closing the doors behind them.

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