Page 380 of Heat of the Everflame

He carried me up the steps to the library, where one of Doriel’s attendants was waiting by the door. “Everything’s been prepared the way you asked, sir.” She offered up a large brass key, then glanced at me and smirked, seemingly in on Luther’s secret.

He set me on my feet and pocketed the key. “Do you have the other thing I asked for?”

Her cheeks pinked. She nodded and pulled out a small velvet pouch. I leaned forward to peek inside, but Luther snatched it before I had the chance. She said her goodbyes and scurried off.

His hand rose to my cheek. “Don’t fight my magic,” he warned.

Shadows swirled from his palm to caress my face, a cool mist against my warm skin. My godhood leapt up at its touch, aching to burst through and join with his, then sulking petulantly as I held it back.

“I think my godhood is smitten with yours,” I said as his magic shrouded my vision in darkness.

“You should hear the things mine tells me to do to you.” He took me by the shoulders and guided me forward. “Maybe later I’ll give him what he wants.”

My godhood pulsed eagerly, and Luther’s low chuckle confirmed he’d felt it.

Though I walked blindly, I could sense that we’d entered the spacious center hall. Earlier, Teller had mentioned the library remained open around the clock to provide researchers unfettered access to its knowledge at all times. I wondered what the people studying now thought as they watched a Queen being led blindfolded down its aisles.

“Why are we here?” I whispered. “And why am I not allowed to see?”

I gasped as he swung me to the side and bent me over something low and firm. His palm clapped high on my thigh, the sound echoing through the vaulted hall. My shock intensified the burst of pleasure, and I had to bite down hard to stifle my moan.

“I said no more questions.” His booming voice rolled like thunder through the room. He massaged the place where he’d struck me to smooth away the sting.

My face burned. First, at the thought of everyone watching. Then, at the alarming realization that I didn’t entirelyhateit.

“Isn’t my reputation bad enough?” I hissed.

“We could give them something better to talk about.” He pulled me upright, my back arched against his chest. My pulse quickened at the scrape of teeth down my throat. “A reason to put down their books and watch.”

Apparently, they already had. The room had gone eerily silent, though it was hard to be sure over the blood pounding in my ears.

He nuzzled his cheek against mine, overwhelming me in his masculine musk. The prickle of his stubble on my flesh set my nerve endings alight.

My skin felt too-tight and deliciously sensitive. His knuckles skimmed the cliff of my cheekbones, the hollow of my throat, the swell of my breasts.

“Luther,” I gasped, but it was far less protest and far more prayer.

“Tell me to stop,” he said. Teasing fingertips trailed lazy rings at my navel. “If you don’t like this—if you ever don’t like anythingI do—one word from you, and it ends.”

He paused, giving me a chance to make my objection. When none came, I felt his smile against my cheek, and his fingers plunged down my center.

I grabbed his wrist, and he stilled.

But I didn’t tell him to stop.

And I didn’t pull his hand away.

“Are they watching?” I whispered.

“Do you want them to be?”

I tried to find an answer I could be certain of—and I failed.

Luther laughed softly. “I didn’t expect that. My Queen is full of surprises.” He kissed my shoulder and dropped his hands. The shadows receded from my eyes, revealing the extravagant reading room... without a person in sight.

If my life had depended on admitting whether I was relieved or disappointed, I would have been a dead woman.

“Where is everyone?”

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