Page 28 of Shrine of Fire

“Of course, Father.” Stefan sat straight and played the dutiful prince. “We are honored to go into the world, representing the Ember Crown.”

“See that you do.” The King glared at both of us before waving his hand. “Leave now.”

I bit my tongue and stood up with Stefan. We walked back, arm in arm, through the corridors of the palace.

Eventually, I started to recognize my surroundings. We were going back to my rooms.

Stefan stopped in front of my door. “I hope you had a wonderful evening, my lady. May I take you out for an island hop tomorrow?”

Where we could actually talk.

“Of course.” I glanced at my door. “You’re welcome to join us.”

I wondered if the palace expected us to be sharing a bed or not. Which would cause less gossip?

“I will gladly join you, perhaps tomorrow night, but I have preparations to make. I would only keep you awake.”

I pulled him into a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Iopened the door and slipped inside. My shoulders relaxed under less scrutiny, and I went into the bed chamber.

Hashir was already in bed, turned over on his side. He didn’t move, but I knew he was awake. There was no way I could enter the room without waking him up. Aki was nowhere to be seen, so he was probably off trying to hunt up as many weapons as he could find.

“Tonight went as expected. Mostly.” I added, to see if he would take the bait.

He didn’t move, his shoulders rising gently as he breathed in and out.

“I know you’re awake.” I started untying the intricate knots around my dress. “You’re not that deep a sleeper.”

He didn’t move. His dark hair spilled over the pillow, and my sudden urge to slide into bed next to him made me wonder if I needed to take all the pins out of my hair.

“I look pretty in my dress.”

Nothing.

I slid the top of the dress down, shimmying out of it. “I’m getting naked,” I said, my voice catching. Liquid heat curled through me, the idea of getting naked for Hashir making my body warm to the idea of being in bed.

“Very naked.” I slid my panties off. The cool night air kissed my skin, and the moonlight streaming through the open-air windows painted shadows across my body.

I crawled into bed next to Hashir and curled up at his back. “I missed you tonight.”

I pressed my breasts against him. He didn’t move, only his slightly labored breathing betrayed his awareness.

I grinned and put my cold feet on his thighs.

He yelped and twisted away. “You fight dirty.”

“You were ignoring me.” I scooted closer to him, wrapping an arm around his chest. “Even though I was getting naked for you.”

Hashir settled onto his back and closed his eyes. “If you want to take advantage of me while I sleep, you’re going to have to use your wicked charms.”

The tented sheet over his erection betrayed him again, and I smiled. I curled up to his side and ran a hand over his chest. “Your omega is needy, hot and wet.” I whispered into his ear.

Hashir let out a fake snore.

I giggled, surprised at my sudden mirth. I let my hands slowly travel down the hard planes of his chest, playing with the light dusting of hair. I couldn’t see it in the light, but from experience supplied my memory with his black hair against his light brown skin.

I sighed, my fingers brushing over the smooth scar on his stomach. Hashir’s breathing skipped, and I traced my fingertips around the scar again.

---