Page 39 of Blooms of Darkness

Ian held up his hand and flung it back down, instantly looking defeated. “Let this go. There’s nothing you can say to change it, and I won’t keep arguing with you. We’ve fought enough.”

He jogged down the steps, leaving me behind as I let out a defeated cry.

I grabbed the skirt of my dress, frustrated at how the layers slowed me down and jerked them to the side. Whirling around, I ran into a hardened chest, which seemingly materialized out of nowhere.

“Tits and daggers!” My hand flew to my mouth in fright, my heart pounding.

A deep chuckle vibrated through me as I stepped back.

“Hello, Little Rebel,” Kade murmured, a devastatingly beautiful smile tugging at his lips.

My gaze met his, but I kept the shock of Kade using my pet name as the Hidden Henchman from my face. I refused to let on that he was right and somehow managed to maintain a straight face. “I’m sorry, you must have mistaken me for one of those other women you have conquered in your tours of Brookmere. If you’ll excuse me, sir, I will be going.”

I went to move around him, and he softly placed his hand on my shoulder.

“I didn’t think you were one to lie,” he said. “Although, your interest in my conquests is intriguing.”

“In your dreams.”

Kade moved closer to me, removing the space I’d created moments before. “I think after our dance, it’s inyourdreams.” He stretched, making a big show of his height. “I was merely enjoying the view before retiring for the evening. It’s been a busy night.”

He strode past me and leaned against the windowpane, acting as if he had been doing it all along.

I should have walked away. Instead, I wanted to use the moment alone to learn why the hell he showed up tonight. After all, why would he willingly attempt to marry into the royal family, when he clearly despised us?

“Why did you enter the trials, Kade? Surely you can’t be so desperate to find a woman. There were plenty who looked like they’d give you anything you wanted in the ballroom tonight for a mere dance. They’d do even more to be your wife.”

His lips twitched as he studied me, eyes sparking with interest. “You noticed other women watching me? That almost sounds jealous.”

“If you can get your arrogant head out of your ass, maybe you can answer the question,” I retorted, undeterred.

He ran a hand over his jaw. “I think I’d look good in a crown,” he said and shrugged. “Or maybe it’s something else.” A tingle down my arms kept me on edge. My eyes narrowed on the power exuding from him as I stood in his presence. The night seemed to adore him as much as the women in the ballroom. I’d have sworn the edges of darkness in the hall caressed his body.

“My reasons are my own, but probably somewhat similar to everyone else. Power, wealth”—He looked me up and down with a needy sort of desire—“all those benefits.”

My cheeks heated, this time not only with my own desire as I struggled to maintain my composure. “Ah, yes, focused on power, even though it’s my name which would grant it to you. Me, the daughter of the king you so vocally despised the last time we were together, claimed by you as a damn trophy.” The absolute arrogance and his presumptuous nature of claiming me and this kingdom, akin to a piece of meat at the slaughterhouse, drove me mad.

“Claiming what’s mine would be, in fact, one of the rewards, yes.” He inched closer to me, and the tingling spread even further, enveloping me almost completely.

I swear, beating my body into submission to rid myself of the ridiculous way it responded to him needed to happen sooner rather than later.

I shifted, attempting to still the warmth coursing through me at his presence. “I’d have to be willing, and you’re far from gettingthatbenefit,” I spat back.

“And yet you’re still here, talking to me.” He shifted himself to block my escape down the hall toward my chambers.

I straightened. “I’ve had enough revelry for one evening and am retiring to my own room. As you recall, you had nothing to do with me coming out here.”

“Yes, your little sidekick may have drawn you out here,” he said. “But you’re still standing here now because you’re intrigued by me. I have that effect on people.”

Kade grinned again, unable to wipe the smile fully from his face the entire time we talked, or fought, or whatever it was we were doing. He moved from the window, taking a step toward me, and reached out, gripping my chin, tilting it up to have a full view of my face.

My breathing grew sharp at his touch. “Men always think cockiness is sexy,” I stated, pulling my chin from his grasp, but I didn’t back down. I looked straight into his eyes, unyielding. “How wrong they are.”

His gaze went to my lips, his mouth partly opened, and he stared momentarily before meeting my eyes again. “I’ll enjoy taking my time making you fall to your knees before me, Little Rebel.”

I shuddered, and not with disgust like I wanted to. He couldn’t win this verbal spar. I brought my hands to his chest,letting them linger while trying to ignore the strength I felt beneath my touch.

“Don’t you worry about my knees, Kade,” I said. I stood on my tiptoes then, running my hand over his chest before wrapping it around the back of his neck. I pressed my body against his, trying to keep my wits about me. I’d have the last say here. My lips lightly brushed against his ear as I whispered, “The only thing falling will be you, onto my sword.”

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