Page 2 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Gideon stepped out of the shadows. A glamour covering his charred skin.

“And there will be another woman with them. Fair of skin and hair—she is not to be harmed.”

The mercenaries rolled their eyes but agreed.

“Go, and do not disappoint me,” Erissa said, taking Gideon’s hand and disappearing into a swirl of snow.

Silence fell over the secluded wood.

“What did we just get ourselves into, Kita?” Alwin asked, but Kita had already disappeared into the night.

1AELIA

The winter sunshone off Tharan’s wine-red hair, his eyes darted beneath closed lids. I studied the contours of his angular face, scar, and lush lips, letting my eyes trail down his neck to his bare chest, committing the sight to memory. How many mornings like this would we have? We returned from Ryft’s Edge weeks ago, hanging by a thread. Gideon and Erissa were in the wind, and my sister was safe. I should be happy. I had the love of a good man, my family and friends were safe, and I had a home once more. My heart was full, and yet, could I trust this happiness?

The smell of coffee and baking bread wafted up from the kitchens below. Despite Tharan being crowned the Alder King, he still preferred his chambers to the king’s. I pulled the blanket tight around myself and snuggled close to him, breathing in the scent of pine lingering on his skin—a muscled arm wrapped around my waist.

“You’re up early,” he said sleepily.

“I haven’t slept since I was fifteen. No amount of valerian root is going to change that.”

He ran a hand down my back, making my skin tingle.

Inching closer, I kissed his neck, pulling a quiet moan from his lips.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, King Killer.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

“I haven’t killed any kings… yet.”

He pushed himself on top of me, and I sucked in a breath. Spreading my legs, I let him fill the space between us.

“I won’t let this go too far,” he murmured, every word shivering hot in the shell of my ear. “I promised I’d show you I wasn’t the playboy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun.”

I let out a laugh.

“Well, it’s not like we’re virgins.”

I ran a hand down his bare chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his skin. I hadn’t seen Tharan’s golden tattoo since the night at the inn. Chalking it up to my medicated delusion, I didn’t bring it up.

“I know, but I want it to be special.”

I cupped his face in my hand.

“Every day is special with you.”

For a moment, Tharan just stared at me, lips parted, cheeks glowing. His eyes did not leave mine.

I studied the flecks of gold in his one green eye.

“What?” I asked.

Pushing a piece of hair behind my ear, he dipped his head and ran his tongue up my neck before nibbling my lobe playfully. “Sometimes you just like to stare at a piece of art.”

“Tharan…” I said, trying to hide my blush.

“I won’t apologize for thinking you’re beautiful.” He leaned in and planted a kiss on my waiting lips.

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