Page 31 of Sins of His Wrath

Naya pulled violent, shimmering magic around her, swirling around her robes, and called out, drawing on magic to enhance her vocal range into the forest, just in case Akoro was back there.

“I am Princess Nayara Andaus, first daughter of Drocco and Cailyn Andaus, heir to the Lox Empire, Guardian of Omegas, Keeper of Peace. I want to speak to Akoro.”

There was silence for a moment.

“There is nothing to discuss,” came the fierce reply.

Her eyes slid to where she heard Nrommo’s voice, but she couldn’t tell exactly where he was. All of their soldiers wore full helmets. “I will to speak to him only. I have a proposition. One that will gives you what you want.”

Everything went still.

Then a group of soldiers at the back of the village started walking. Naya stayed alert, watching them closely. The magical structure in the forest didn’t fluctuate. If it was a portal, no one was coming through it. When the group reached the row of soldiers at the front of the village, it parted to let them through.

Naya lowered as they came forward, her robes billowing, her magic bright.

As her feet touched the ground in front of them, the soldier in the middle of the group lifted his helmet.

Akoro.

Her stomach tightened, and a warmth reverberated within her, swooping through her lower stomach. The unwanted memories that had plagued her couldn’t compare to his presence. Donning his full armor, he was bigger than she remembered. The beard around his mouth had grown, making him scruffier and more rugged. His dark hair was braided against his scalp in what seemed to be a ceremonial style, but once again, it was his eyes that captured her. Dark and haunting, they were filled with the anger she expected, but alongside it was an anguish that stole the breath from her lungs. He was furious, as she suspected, but there was something else. And somehow that made him even more handsome.

Naya forced herself not to be distracted by the spark of yearning that lit up her body. Even though she was thoroughly blocked, and couldn’t even scent him, her base instincts could sense her mate.

His eyes swept the Lox and the magical barrier holding them back. “There is no negotiation.” The deep rasp of his rich voice sent shivers down Naya’s spine. “You surrender or the war begins.” He walked forward, away from the group that surrounded him, into the large space between the two armies, the saunter of his walk making her stomach tighten. His warriors starting walking alongside him, but he signaled to them to stay back.

“Even if you could get what you want and avoid war?” Naya called.

“Iwillget what I want,” he shot back, his voice fierce and demanding. He kept walking, his dark and gleaming eyes already claiming her and his broad build dominating the space. His fury radiated from his whole body. “I’m not leaving here without you, princess. Offering yourself won’t stop the war.”

Heat flared up Naya’s neck. “I’mnotoffering myself.”

Alarm slammed into her when he didn’t stop walking, the space between them vanishing in an instant. He reached for her—his hand aiming for her throat—and for one fleeting moment, she wanted to let him.

To feel it. To sink into the grip that would tell her she was his, safe in her Alpha’s hold, her body yielding, soft, waiting for him to claim her.

But fury crashed through sharp and consuming, scorching away that dangerous flicker of longing. What the fuck was he doing? A surge of anger overwhelmed Naya, stoking her outrage. He had no fucking right to her at all.

Behind them, their armies stood still, watching. No one spoke. No one moved. The air hung thick and tense in expectant silence, as if the outcome of this moment would decide everything.

Magic flared at her command, surging through the air. It lashed out, wrapping around his thick arm, twisting up to his shoulder like an iron vise. He jerked to a stop, muscles straining against the too-powerful force.

She met his dark gaze with a fierce one of her own, holding it and daring him to push further.

The magic coiled tighter. His jaw clenched. His warriors shifted uneasily, but no one dared interfere.

Her army remained still, waiting to see if she would break him.

Naya lifted her chin, her voice low and lethal. “You are inmyworld now, Akoro. And I will break your fucking arm before I let you touch me again.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Akoro’s face twisted with strain, his muscles flexing as he fought against the magical grip around his arm. But no matter how strong he was, he couldn’t break free. His voice was low, dangerous. “Do you think I can’t eliminate your magic and take you? I’ve done it before.”

Naya’s snarl cut through the air. “Do you think you can grab your little stone before I shatter your arm into a thousand pieces?”

A sharp movement behind him—one of his soldiers stepping forward. “Zmola!” That one was Nrommo.

Akoro lifted his free hand, stopping the warrior in his tracks without looking away from her. His eyes, dark and unyielding, locked onto hers. “You are the one who requested to speak.” His tone was harsh, threaded with warning. “If you keep me bound, my army will advance.”

---