Page 57 of The Umbra King

Rory’s eyesopened and stared at the sunshine above her as she burrowed deeper under the covers. “Aether, this is comfortable.”

“It is,” Caius’ smooth voice said from beside her.

Somehow, she wasn’t surprised he was there, but she didn’t know why. She also knew she was dreaming because a quick glance around showed the floor was covered with a field of wildflowers.

“What is this place?” she asked, looking at him.

He turned his head toward her. “This was my sister’s room when she visited.”

“Adila?”

His head shook slightly. “Atarah. She loved Vincula, but she missed the Erdikoa skies. I made her this room and powered it with my essence.”

“Atarah has been dead for almost five-hundred years,” Rory replied. “The room is always clean.”

“I have a trusted maid clean it. You remember Gracie from the ball,” he said. “I don’t allow any other staff in here. I can’t bear to let it rot.”

“The stairs,” Rory said. “They have not seen feet in quite some time.” She was prodding to see if he would admit to the entrance from his office.

“She cleans my room as well,” he began. “And there is a back entrance from my quarters.”

Rory suppressed her surprise and made a mental note to look for the other entrance.

She flipped over to stare at the sky. “I miss the Erdikoa skies, too.”

She hated that her brain conjured a nice Caius, one who didn’t kill her sister. At least that was how she felt despite her findings in his office. His face no longer elicited anger. She frowned. Her mind was a scary place.

“What are you thinking?” he murmured.

“I’m wondering why I don’t hate you here. In my dream, I mean.” She turned to him again.

His eyes bounced between hers. “Why do you assume this is your dream and not mine?”

The look on his face and the sound of his voice made her body sing. “Why would it be yours?”

The air was charged with sexual tension, and when he spoke again, she fought for air.“Because here, you are mine.”

His words surprised her, but at the same time, they didn’t. Sincearriving in Vincula, conflict had warred within her where the king was concerned.

“You cannot claim me,” she argued half-heartedly. “It’s barbaric.”

He reached over and caressed her face. “Let me show you.” She would let him show her anything.

Her breath hitched when he leaned over and kissed her, running his tongue over her bottom lip until she granted him entry, and from there, their want for each other ran wild. He rolled on top of her and hovered over her naked body, and Rory’s eyes widened as his pants disappeared, showcasing the biggest dick she’d ever seen.

“Seraphim,” she whispered.

“They cannot save you now,” he said in a rough voice. “Here, you are mine, and no one can keep me from you, other than yourself.” His voice was pleading, and it filled her stomach with butterflies. “Let me have you, Aurora.”

His eyes bore into hers, amplifying her need for him. “I am yours,” she murmured. “Take me.”

“Thank fuck.” A warm hand ran from her neck to the swell of her breast, but his eyes never left hers.

Soon, his fingers were trailing across the sensitive skin of her stomach, making it quiver under his touch. Her hands ran up his chest until they reached his neck, and when she tried to pull him in for a kiss, he resisted.

“I want to see your face as I destroy you,” he rasped, and his words both excited and frightened her.

A warm touch passed over her clit and moved to her entrance, swiping through her arousal before returning to circle with the slightest pressure.

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