Page 66 of Beneath the Thorned Crown

Chapter 18 - Dominic

The sun barely begins to crest over the horizon, casting pale light through the curtains of my bedroom. I’ve been awake for hours, if I ever truly slept at all. My mind refuses to rest, haunted by the events of the night before. Jayden is gone.

His severed finger was a warning, and I knew—I fucking knew—the moment I saw it. But I couldn’t let Isabella find out, not yet. Not when I still don’t know who the rat is.

And not when I know exactly what she’d do with that information.

She’s too reckless. Too brave, even when she’s supposed to be afraid. She doesn’t think twice before throwing herself into danger, and that terrifies me more than anything. I meant to kept my distance from her from the beginning, make it clear that she was a pawn in this war, not a piece I was unwilling to sacrifice.

But it’s too late for that now.

I run a hand over my face as I force myself to sit up. I know what I have to do. I have to push her away before she gets hurt, before she gets caught in the middle of a war that could destroy her.

But before I do…

I need her.

I don’t deserve her—not even for a single moment more—but I’m too selfish to care. I need to feel her one more time, tohave her under me, around me, before I do the only thing that might save her.

I push out of bed, my steps muffled as I leave my room and head toward hers. The hallway is quiet, the house still cloaked in the eerie stillness of early morning. The only sound is the faint echo of my own breathing as I turn the handle and slip inside.

She’s there. Sleeping.

The sight of her nearly brings me to my knees.

Her body is sprawled beneath the sheets, the silk of her nightgown pulled up slightly, revealing the smooth curve of her thigh. Her breathing is slow, deep, lips parted slightly as she shifts in sleep. So fucking innocent, even after everything.

She looks so soft like this, so untouched by the world that I would burn down for her.

I should walk away.

But I don’t.

Instead, I move toward her bed, stripping off my shirt as I do. I slip beneath the covers, the warmth of her body drawing me in like gravity. She stirs as I press up against her, my hands sliding down the curve of her waist, my lips finding the tender skin behind her ear.

She makes a soft sound in her sleep, one that sends heat licking down my spine.

Her eyes flutter open, still dazed, still half-dreaming, and fuck, she’s even more beautiful like this—sleepy, warm, her skin glowing in the dim light of dawn.

"Dominic?" Her voice is husky, thick with sleep.

I kiss her.

I swallow her sleepy gasp, my mouth moving over hers in a slow, deep kiss. She tastes like warmth, like temptation, and when she sighs into my mouth, her body pressing instinctively into mine, I know I’m done for.

I move over her, kissing her lips, then her cheek, then down to her neck, letting my breath fan over her skin.

She’s still drowsy, her movements slow as she arches against me.

I groan as I slide between her legs, parting her thighs and pushing up her nightgown. My hands roam over her soft skin, my mouth following, claiming every inch of her.

As the silk of her nightgown gathers at her waist, I finally see her—laid out before me like a fucking masterpiece. She's wearing a delicate black lace bra, the cups barely containing the fullness of her breasts, and matching lace panties that hug her hips. She’s perfection, all soft curves and smooth skin, her breath coming in slow, sleepy waves as I take her in. The dim morning light filters through the curtains, casting golden shadows over her body, highlighting the slight flush creeping up her chest.

I reach behind her, unclasping her bra with practiced ease, letting the lace straps slide down her arms. Her breasts spill free, the peaks already hard, begging for my mouth. Fuck. My cock throbs at the sight of her, so effortlessly beautiful, so mine—even if she doesn’t know it yet. She exhales shakily as I slide her panties down her thighs, exposing every inch of her to me.

Her breath hitches as I lean down, cupping one of her breasts, rolling the stiff peak between my fingers while I take theother into my mouth. I flick my tongue over her nipple, sucking gently before dragging my teeth over it. She gasps, arching into my touch, her fingers threading through my hair, holding me against her. Needy. Perfect. Mine.

Her legs shift beneath me, parting slightly, an invitation she doesn’t even realize she’s giving. I growl low in my throat, my hands sliding down to grip her thighs, pulling them around my waist. She moans softly, wrapping them around me, her hips tilting up as if she’s already begging for more.

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