Page 17 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Tharan is goodto youandfor you. I’ve never seen anyone look at someone the way he looks at you.”

Heat flushed my cheeks. “I am afraid of the feelings I have for him. We fit so perfectly together that I’m scared to get my hopes up. So many things could go wrong.”

She squeezed my hand. “But so many things could go right, too. You deserve someone who loves you, who burns for you. And I can tell he does.”

“I haven’t allowed myself to hope in a very long time.”

“Perhaps now is a good time to start.” Her face brightened.

A sigh escaped my lips. “Maybe after we finish visiting Mother.”

“And when will that be?”

“Soon. I don’t know exactly when. Once we get to Ruska, we’ll have to find someone crazy enough to take us to the Island of Fate.”

Baylis nervously bunched up the fabric of her dress. “This is a lot to take in. So much so fast.”

“We don’t have the luxury of time. Burning Ryft’s Edge to the ground will only embolden Gideon, Erissa, and their allies.”

“Then I guess I better get ready.”

4THARAN

Tharan stared out the window,glass of brandy in one hand, cigarette in the other, contemplating the journey ahead. Foot resting on the edge of his mahogany desk, he leaned back in his chair, taking a sip, reveling in the burn as it slid down his throat.

The door to his study creaked open, and Aelia appeared. He couldn’t help but be in awe every time he laid his eyes on her. The curves of her body called to him, and he yearned to answer.

“Hello, my darling,” he said, taking a drag of his cigarette.

“What a day.”

She crossed the room, sliding onto his lap, stealing the cigarette from between his lips and placing it to her own.

The thought of her plush lips wrapped around his cock instead of a cigarette sent a quiver through him. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling the scent of jasmine lingering on her skin. A reminder of the royalty she’d once been. Jasmine was expensive.

Her pulse quickened and she leaned into him.

“Drink?” he said, running kisses up her neck.

She took another drag off the cigarette.

“Yes, please.”

Tharan gently lifted her from his lap, before pouring her a glass of whiskey.

Taking the glass, she crossed the room and plopped down on the couch, extinguishing the cigarette in a bronze ashtray on the marble coffee table.

“What’s bothering you?”

Taking a seat next to her, he watched the bob of her throat as she drank the amber liquid, wondering what it would be like to sink his teeth into that pretty neck as he pushed inside her. His fingers itched to touch her. To claim her.

“I’m worried about traveling with Baylis. I’m worried she’s not ready.”

“She’s not. She may never be, but the world doesn’t wait for us to be ready.”

“She had a vision today. Just a glimpse, and it scared her.” She exhaled sharply. “I’m going to have to go into her mind… I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to see what I may find there.”

“Are you worried she was in love with Gideon, and he was good to her? Or are you worried he treated her worse than you?”

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