Page 107 of Blooms of Darkness

A pregnant pause filled the air as tension expanded between us.

Kade closed the distance, placing one hand above my head and brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m not just here for the crown.”

My breath quickened at the sight of storms of desire swirling in his eyes. “Kade,” I whispered.

“I’m here for the queen. I came here for you.”

He tilted my chin, staring at my lips, bringing his closer. His hot breath had me melting beneath him. “Please. Say yes.”

I paused as his lips hovered above mine, waiting in anticipation. “I want to trust you.”

One breath, then two.

“I don’t know if I’d make a worthy King, Little Rebel, but I do know you were created to rule a kingdom. Fates, you could bring an army of Fae to their knees. Your role should never be to sit idly by anyone’s side. Not even mine.”

Oh, Fates. This. This was what I hoped for.

“Yes,” I said, answering his earlier desire without any reservation.

The tension between us snapped. The unleashed aggression, and passion ignited into a flame. I wanted, no,neededit to consume me. My body finally crumbled beneath Kade’s touch, giving into what it had been craving for weeks now. A warmth flooded me, so hot, I could barely contain myself as I pressed against Kade’s muscular figure.

He grabbed my face with both hands as we furiously kissed, his body holding mine against the door. He had me pinned effortlessly as his tongue stroked mine, and with nowhere else for my hands to go, I placed them on his chest. How I longed to run my hands through his hair, if he would just move his damn body out of the way.

I could feel the length of him hardening against me as we unleashed ourselves upon each other.

Needier, my insides were molten now, while at the same time, feeling as though I would drown in the desire building and rising. I rubbed myself against him, desperate for friction, for him. I needed to move, and I needed him inside of me.

I nipped his bottom lip. He chuckled, and I finally gathered my strength and pushed him back a few steps, so I wasn't stuck against the door any longer.

One of his shadows curled against my back, stroking and pressing me toward him. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Your shadows certainly are playful tonight.”

“My shadows don’t play, they destroy.”

“I don’t know about that.” I snorted. “They make me feel safe.” The word felt too powerful to be true, but I had no other way to describe it. More than once his shadows had protected me, caressed me, like they knew me inside and out and wanted me despite all I was, and all I lacked.

“It’s like you’re purposefully trying to tear down my ego, Little Rebel,” he said. “Shadow magic is the most powerful and unique Fae magic, and it merely makes you feelsafe. What am I going to do with you?”

I pushed away from him, running into my bedroom.

He caught me easily, turning my body and holding me up by my ass. My legs wrapped around his center. “The last time someone shoved me like that, they got a black eye,” Kade murmured as he trailed kisses up my neck, stopping once he reached my ear. “But for you, the punishment shall be quite different.” He backed us onto the edge of the bed before we fell upon it. My body on top of Kade’s, hands on either side of his face now, my hair falling to create a cocoon around us.

“I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem necessary,” I proclaimed.

Kade moved my hair behind my ears. My heart beat harder and faster than it ever had before.

His throat bobbed. “How do you swear again? Tits and daggers?” He smiled. “You are stunning.”

I laughed as I walked my hands back. “Get me out of this dress, now.” I rose and turned for him to unlace the corset of my gown.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Kade’s fingers moved deftly as his lips and tongue brushed over my neck. He took a painstakingly slow time undressing me and I squirmed beneath him, pressing my legs together. “Patience,” he whispered.

He let my dress fall. I turned my head, peering over my shoulder before spinning toward him.

He growled, pulling me in close again as he kissed me once more. I could not get enough of his touch. My skin burned everywhere his hands roamed.

I shrugged out of my lace garments as he paused, leaning back on my bed to stare at me. The way he watched me, with those hungry eyes, he made me feel beautiful. Desired.

He made me feel...alive.

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