Page 27 of Her Fallen Angel

My wings flare slightly, casting shadows across the room. Aren remains perfectly still in my grasp, though I can feel theslight tremor in her arm. The perfect submission only feeds the possessive hunger growing inside me.

"Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere." Mykael's tone is neutral, but his attention keeps drifting to where my fingers dig into Aren's delicate skin.

"Perhaps you should get the fuck out."

Mykael raises a brow, but Vhex only laughs, shaking his head. He clasps me on the shoulder and turns to leave. "Oh, I think that early discussion has only been further proven." Mykael follows him out with a disapproving glare.

I grind my teeth as they go, not wanting to let go of Aren. She turns to me, her eyes scanning over my face. And then, instead of asking or fighting me or insulting me, she just says, "Hungry?"

I turn, moving to the table as she puts away the armor. When she comes up next to me, I know I want her closer. I need her like I've never needed anything.

"Kneel." The command slips from my lips as I settle at the dining table. Aren sinks gracefully to her knees beside my chair, her movements fluid from weeks of practice. The dark waves of her hair cascade down her back, tempting my fingers.

Steam rises from the meal she prepared - roasted nighthawk with ember root. I reach for my cup, but my hand diverts to her hair instead. The silken strands slip between my fingers. She stiffens for a heartbeat before relaxing into the touch.

"Feed me."

Her eyes widen slightly - this is new. But she reaches for the plate without hesitation, selecting a piece of meat and lifting it to my lips. The intimacy of the act stirs something dangerous in my chest.

I capture her wrist before she can withdraw, pressing my mouth to her pulse point. Her breath catches. "Good girl."

The praise falls unbidden from my tongue. I should be finding new ways to break her, to shatter that quiet dignityshe maintains. Instead, my touch gentles as I card my fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp.

I do like her submission. But maybe I don't need her broken to get it. I do like how she does everything for me eagerly.

She continues feeding me, each movement precise and measured. The firelight catches the olive undertones in her skin, highlighting the delicate curve of her throat. My other hand traces idle patterns on her shoulder.

"You're being unusually compliant today, little flame." The words come out rougher than intended.

"Would you prefer resistance?" A hint of defiance colors her tone.

I tighten my grip in her hair, but not enough to hurt. "I prefer you exactly as you are."

The admission surprises us both. Her deep brown eyes meet mine, searching. I should punish such boldness. Should remind her of her place. Instead, my thumb brushes her bottom lip.

She trembles under my touch, but doesn't pull away. The power I hold over her in this moment is intoxicating - more so because she yields willingly rather than from fear.

My wings curl forward unconsciously, creating a dark canopy above us. Shielding her. Claiming her. The possessive gesture is instinctive, primal.

My cock hardens at the sound, remembering how she knelt before me in the temple, how my name fell from her lips like sacred verse. It makes me want more, want her submission and her begging.

I want everything she has.

Her dark hair spills down her back like ink, framing her gorgeous face. I push my hand through it, tugging her head a little farther back so I can stare into her eyes.

I want to hear my name on her tongue again, wrapped in that same reverence she showed in the temple. That is what Icrave - not just her body, but a willing surrender of her spirit. The way she transforms my name into something sacred while maintaining that core of steel I can never quite break.

I want all of her, even the parts she doesn't want to give up.

And I intend to take them.

14

ARENWEN

The afternoon sun streams through the windows as I move through Kai's townhouse, arranging items and tidying spaces that don't really need it. My fingers trail across the dark wooden surfaces, memorizing their texture.

The freedom to move unrestricted still surprises me - no watchful eyes following my every move, no guards hovering nearby. It's odd that Kai has never treated me like a prisoner - not that I want to be one. I have nowhere else I want to be anyway.

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