Page 9 of The Storm of the Empire

I didn’t stop until she pulled my hair, squirming away from me in oversensitivity.

She was so beautiful in that moment.

I rose, wincing as I repositioned myself and threaded my fingers into her curls. Her eyes opened and focused on mine, and we both just stared for a moment. Then, a smile spread across her face, and I mirrored it with my own.

“Well,” she breathed. “That was?—”

Voices and laughter from the square halted her words, and we both looked toward the mouth of the alley. By the time I looked back, she was looking down between our bodies, fumbling with her leathers, and the moment was broken.

I couldn’t tell from her demeanor if she was having regrets or not, so I released her hair and took a step back. She finished fastening her pants, and I steeled myself for some kind of brush off.

Her eyes met mine, and they shone in the shaft of light from the square. “We should head back to the palace,” she said. I couldn’t read her at all.

“Sure,” I replied brightly.

Still regaining her breath, she led the way out into the square. I made an attempt to adjust my dick so it would be less obvious, but it was hopeless. Walking was a challenge, and watching her curvy ass in those leathers ahead of me was not helping. I just had to front it out.

I caught up to her as she stepped into the light and argued with myself for a second about whether I should take her hand or not when I couldn’t tell if she regretted letting me do that. I dithered too long though, and before I could make my decision, her fingers slipped into mine.

Okay then.

A group of flyers from the higher ranks were walking towards the tavern across the square, and they fell silent as we approached. Some simply stared, and others scowled at me.

As we passed, their displeasure was palpable, and I realized they were scenting a general idea of what we’d just done. I was fully aware I wasn’t well liked within their ranks. The flyers liked my presence in their hallowed space even less than Hazel did. I wasn’t one of them. But as they all took in the scent of their weapons master’s arousal on me as she walked by with her hand in mine, I held my chin high and grinned their way.

“Evening,” I called over my shoulder.

I heard a growl or two and looked at Hazel, smirking.

“Popular, aren’t you?”she chuckled.

“Depends who you ask,” I retorted.

“You seriously want to come to fight with them in my class? The way they look at you, I would think you’d stay where you are and be satisfied,” Hazel asked when we were well past them.

I scoffed. “They’ll love me once they get to know me. I bet they’re all soft on the inside.”

Hazel shook her head in amused disbelief as we passed beneath the palace gate. “I’m almost tempted to say yes just to see what happens.”

She giggled.

The sound was soft and sweet and perfectly fit her tiny cuteness. If Zaria hadn’t informed me she was a storm dragon who was considered unbeatable with a sword, I would never have believed it. Other than her attitude, everything about her was petite and adorable. She was a walking contradiction, and I needed to know more.

“Then say yes,” I pressed. “Let me come tomorrow if only to be pulverized for your entertainment.”

“I don’t think Nyx would be pleased if I stood by and let the first flight rip you to pieces. He seems to like you for some reason.”

“I can hold my own, I promise. Just let me try out at least. If it doesn’t work out, you got your kiss, so you’re the winner.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“What?”

“So that was it? One kiss? It wasn’t even on my lips.”

I smirked at the double meaning. “Well, it kind of was.”

She rolled her eyes.“You know what I mean.”

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