Page 84 of Blooms of Darkness

“Can you sit?” he asked tenderly.

I nodded, and reclaimed his mouth, needing it back on mine. I bit his lower lip as he sank onto his chair, wrapping my legs around him, my hips shifting to relieve the pressure building between my legs.

With a little movement forward, I connected to the hard length of him, and despite both of us being fully clothed, I broke the kiss, shivering with a cry as I rubbed against him.

He hissed. “You have to be careful—careful you can’t—fuck, Illiana, you can’t move so much with your wound.”

“I don’t care. Kiss me,” I demanded.

He obeyed, and this time, he tilted my chin with his thumb and kissed down my jaw, licking and nipping at my neck.

I arched back, wanting to feel his chest against mine even through clothes. Pain shot through my side at the movement, and I sucked in a breath, wincing.

Kade froze. “This—we shouldn’t?—"

He stood, lifting me back to the bed and setting me down, immediately backing up to put distance between us.

My brain was scrambled. His kiss had consumed every rational part of my soul.

Fates, the last thing I should be doing is making out with Kade on my bed, wounded at that. Especially moments after he reminded me he came here for a crown and my kingdom, not for me and my love.

His eyes flashed, almost as if my acceptance of the distance caused him physical pain. A wicked grin quickly replaced the fleeting expression instead. The man who had been worried about my life and owned me with his lips, faded as the arrogant Kade appeared once more. And damn if he wasn’t just as sexy this way. “I knew the benefits of gaining a crown would be exceptional.”

His teasing tone didn’t help soothe the sudden sinking of my heart. Without realizing it, his words confirmed my uncontrollable fears. “You’re abhorrent,” I said, crossing my arms. “Last I checked, you kissed me. Not the other way around.”

“I believe you begged me.” He licked his bottom lip, and I wondered if he even realized he’d done it. “Besides, I thought I should accept your request in case you decided to go and get wounded and die on me again.”

Before I could protest and insult him further, he frowned, then lunged. Kade reached around me, pulling the book from atop a pillow on my bed. “I wondered where my book had gone to.” He smirked.

I made a move to snatch it back. “My castle. My book. I didn’t see a problem taking what’s mine.”

He chuckled and handed the book back to me. “I’d like it back when you’re done. To know how the story ends for the fate-blessed lovers.”

“Get out,” I huffed, rising, and making my way across the room to my door. “I don’t need rumors going around I’m fucking two contenders.”

Kade bristled at my comment but didn’t say anything. His smile disappeared. He came to stand in front of me, his hand hovering above my neck. As he’d done on the battlefield he brought his forehead to mine. “I’m glad you’re alive, even if I am abhorrent to you.” He pressed his fingers to my skin and then kissed my forehead. “Goodnight, Princess Illiana.”

He bowed before leaving my bedroom. As soon as I heard my chamber door shut, I slammed my head back, bringing my hand to rest where his had been on my neck. This ridiculous mix of emotions overwhelmed me, especially when it came to hearing my name on his lips. I barely knew the man. He had secrets. A power which could kill with a flick of his wrist. He had made it all too clear that the crown served as his sole purpose here.

The last thing I needed when taking on my kingdom with no magic, was someone like him ruling my land.

I needed to shake Kade from my thoughts, and my body.Quickly.

Or we’d all be in trouble.

Chapter 24

My room had turned into a revolving door.

Visits from Elisabeth, Kalliah, and Ian were continuous, and beyond them, my father finally had his way and came to see me. When he entered, I instantly became more concerned about his appearance than my own.

“Are you okay?” I asked, failing to hide the worry in my voice. His beard was scruffy, not trimmed to perfection like normal, and he’d lost weight. A significant amount. His robes hung off his body, two sizes too big now. His face appeared gaunt, and the dark circles beneath his eyes made it seem like he had been in a fight.

Despite his appearance, he still smiled at me like I provided his endless source of happiness. “Are you saying I look poorly, my heart?”

I chuckled, shaking my head.

“I’m more concerned with you. You’ve been in bed for days.”

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