Page 115 of Blooms of Darkness

He glanced sideways at the empty post Ruppert should have been occupying and shifted on his feet. Was he nervous?

Nodding, I shooed him into the room and peeked down the hall. Ruppert appeared, and I jerked my head back. He must have been returning from his hourly rounds. I quickly shut the door behind Kade.

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” I made sure my robe was tightly secured around me if we got interrupted. “Do you have news about the darkness?” I whispered, not wanting to be too loud.

Kade stared at me, his brow furrowed.

“Are you worried Ruppert will hear?” I asked. When he didn’t answer, I grabbed his hand and led him to my bedroom, shutting the door to get more distance between us and the hallway.

He finally snapped out of his trance and grabbed my hand to pull me to the edge of my bed, while he sat, keeping me standing before him. We were fairly far away from the door, not as if it would have any effect on the Fae hearing Ruppert possessed. Perhaps Kade’s shadows could cloak our voices as well as our bodies.

“I think I’m losing my mind,” he whispered, pulling me close to his chest.

My body unconsciously relaxed, molding to his as best I could, even if my mind still panicked.

“I can’t stop thinking about you. It’s as if my shadows need you just as much as I—” He cleared his throat and then sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. “As much as I need you.”

He wrapped his hands around my waist, and I leaned back to stare into his grey eyes.

Kade needed me? Perhaps he did have stronger feelings for me than I thought. Maybe he initially came here for the crown, but perhaps he could be here forme, too. I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t look away.

“With the final trial being tomorrow, I had to see you and know what you were thinking. I had to know if you felt what I do. These trials have been more deadly than I anticipated, and if something were to happen.” He paused, his throat bobbing as he collected his thoughts. “I-I wanted to spend one last night with you if this is all the time the Fates will allow.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “If I’m not what you want, right now, or tomorrow, then I accept that as well. I just needed to see you to know.”

While I wasn’t certain if I was ready to make a decision about my future, I was more than ready to have my fill of Kade Blackthorn again.

Fates knew I’d been consumed with thinking about him, too.

I smiled as I leaned in closer to whisper in his ear, “Take off your clothes.”

His expression shifted into a sultry smile immediately upon hearing my words. “So bossy.”

He slowly removed his black tunic, the muscles of his arms bulged as he threw it to the floor. I’d lick all over his beautiful tattoo tonight if I had my way.

Painstakingly slow, he began to remove his pants. I bit my lip, watching him watching me, his eyes darkening slightly. It was impossible to miss how hard his cock was as it sprung free.

Not wanting to wait a moment more, I relieved myself of my own clothes, throwing them haphazardly on the floor.

“On your back,” I ordered.

Kade smirked. “As Your Highness commands it.” He moved across my bed, obeying, and lying on his back.

His shadows seeped from his body, surrounding the bed. “We don’t need ole stick in the pants out there knowing about your, how shall we say this? Nightly activities.”

So, his shadows could block out sounds… interesting.

I couldn't take my eyes off of him, this man who had captured my attention from the first time I laid eyes on him. To appreciate how breathtaking he looked, waiting for me. Wanting me.

No fear. I’d have no fear. Not tonight.

He sucked in a sharp breath when I finally made my move, crawling up the bed toward him. I reached out, running my palm over his rigid and incredible cock before I lowered my mouth onto him. Fates, he was so hard and wanting.

I allowed myself a few moments to pump him inside of my mouth, my hands cupping his balls gently, massaging. He moaned already, even though we’d only just gotten started.

For the first time in my life, I felt like an equal. It didn’t matter if I had magic or not.

“Fates, your mouth is everything, Little Rebel.” His groan, this time more drawn out, his hips moving as I worked him in and out of my mouth. He gripped my hair. “I will not last much longer if you keep this up, and my plans for you involved more than spilling down your throat during the first minute of our time together.”

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