Page 83 of Blooms of Darkness

He cleared his throat. “That doesn’t sound like me at all, Princess.”

I swallowed, realizing we were alone in my room for the first time. I hadn’t seen him since Starhaven. Days ago.

“Are you all right? Are you hurt? Where is Storm?” Something about the way he sat with his forearms leaning on his knees, completely wet and quiet, made me nervous. The cocky man, poking jabs seemed to be in total opposition to the man here now. He looked beaten down. Tired and alone.

Scared.

“He’s back as well, unharmed. The dark ones are gone. Mostly dead.” He sighed, running his hand through his damp black hair. “After everything that happened, I just—” He stared at me for a moment before bringing his hand down and brushing back my hair with his fingers. “I needed to make sure you were alive with my own eyes.”

My chest tightened. I didn’t move away from his touch, instead, I fully embraced it. I inhaled the scent of him as it continued to wrap around me, cocooning me in a damn blanket. The familiar caresses of shadows on my arms and my legs were heavenly, bringing me the serenity only they managed to provide. I stifled a moan at how much better I felt for the first time these past few days.

When my eyes opened, Kade hesitated, not bringing his hand down to touch me again. His eyes were dark, everything about this man was dark, and yet the way he studied me made my entire body feel light. Feel alive.

I couldn’t help but stare at his beautiful face. Almost flawless, save for a tiny scar above his lip. A scar unnoticeable unless you were up close, just as I was now.

Raising my hand, possessing no self-control, I touched his cheek. His face, hell, his entire body, appeared as though it belonged to the sculptures in the royal gardens. A masterpiece to be worshipped.

His lips parted. “I thought you weren’t going to make it, Little Rebel.”

“Careful, Kade. You’re acting like you might actually care whether I live or die,” I teased. The crack in my voice gave away my confidence.

He didn’t say a word. Not a damn word, but he lifted his hand, this time brushing his thumb against my cheek before he let his fingers sweep deeper into my hair. “That would be ridiculous. I only came here for the crown.”

“Well, get in line.” I smiled at him, but he didn’t return the gesture. A sharp ache in my chest pinched, wondering if perhaps the comment hadn’t simply been a joke. Maybe this feeling was exactly what he wanted me to have. All part of his plan for winning the trials.

Kade stared at me, my lips, my hair, everywhere, except my eyes.

“You should go,” I whispered as I realized I didn’t want to know if it was real or not.

He nodded but didn’t move. His fingers were still in my hair, and he leaned in closer.

Resolve snapping, his lips met mine, hurriedly, frantically.

I whimpered as his tongue skimmed over mine, possessively. I leaned forward, matching his urgency. His hand stayed in my hair, my whimper escalating to a moan.

His breathing grew ragged as we ravaged each other's mouths.

I tugged on his tunic. “Why are you soaking wet?” I asked in between breaths.

His thumb ran over the front of my throat. “It rained as we rode through the night. I left my horse at the stables and came straight here through the garden so no one would see.”

Damn this Fae. He came to me first. Exhausted, battle-worn, and he came for me. Before anything else.

I tugged harder. “I need more,” I whispered against his lips.

He devoured me, stoking the fire lit inside me, which hadn’t fully dissipated since we met in the woods a few weeks ago. It may have been a while since I’d had a man in my bed, but none before him had come close to feeling like this.

And we were merely kissing. What would happen if he gave me more, gave me all of him?

“You’re still hurt.” He stopped kissing me, panting, but he didn’t move away. He hovered over my body, his weight fully held up by his left arm, while his right remained on my neck.

His heavy breath ghosted across my skin, mixing with my own.

“Please,” I begged.

He remained still, until I lightly brushed my fingers along his jaw, where stubble had begun to grow.

He groaned and then pulled my blanket off of me, lifting me so gently, trying not to hurt me. As if I were important.

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