Page 31 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“My mother will know. Although whereherloyalties lie is murky, too.”

“The Fates will show you what they want you to see. Don’t forget that. They were supposed to be impartial, but somewhere along the way, they forgot that and became something more like future makers instead of future seers.”

“I like to think that’s why my mother left. Like she wanted a better life.”

“There were always rumors of squabbles between the sisters, but people love to gossip.”

I nuzzled my face into Tharan’s neck. “When are we leaving?”

“Two days.” He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and I buried my face deeper, savoring the scent of pine and sweat on his skin.

“So soon?”

“We can’t wait any longer.” He kissed my forehead, and lust roiled in my veins.

I wanted him—wanted him so badly I would tear myself apart if I didn’t have him inside me soon, but that would all have to wait until we returned. I needed to have a clear head. Committing myself to Tharan was more than just saying vows. To commit myself to a god meant binding ourselves together for an eternity. Before the Trinity culled the land, women presented themselves to gods, hoping to be chosen as their mate. Theywould inherit some of the god’s power when their souls were bound. What would that mean for me?

Tharan hooked a finger under my chin. “Hey, come back to me.”

“Sorry,” I said, cheeks flushed. “My mind is heavy.”

“I know, my King Killer.” He pressed his lips to mine, lighting a fire in my core.

I breathed him in. I wanted him to consume me. To forget our troubles and disappear into one another. Tharan’s teeth grazed the soft flesh of my neck, making me suck in a breath. “Yes,” I whispered.

Slowly, Tharan undid the ties of my tunic before slipping it off. My nipples pricked at the cool night air. Kissing his way down my neck, igniting a fire under my skin, Tharan took my nipple into his mouth. A moan escaped my lips, and I arched my back as his tongue teased me—tension building in my core.

I quickly untied my pants, but Tharan’s hand caught mine before I could tend to the need quaking between my legs.

“Not yet. You need your rest, but I wanted to give you something to think about while you recover.”

“Tease.”

He dragged his teeth over my nipple. The delicious sensation of pain and pleasure mixed, making my core thrum with need. “Tharan,” I gasped out.

A devious smile split his face in two. His fangs glinted in the firelight. “Trinity, I can’t hold myself together when you say my name like that.”

I smiled, pulling him in for another passionate kiss. Slipping my tongue between his lips, I savored the taste of spiced cider on his tongue. It reminded me of the night we’d spent together in the little elven town, where we’d shared our shame and ignited sparks of love. My heart warmed at the memory. I fisted myhands in his lush locks, and he let out a moan of pleasure before pulling away.

“Aelia, I can’t. We can’t.”

“I know, but I can’t help it. You are my light, my life, Tharan.” The words spilled out of me—words I had never shared before. Words I had never thought of before.

He nuzzled my nose with his. “There are things I want to tell you, Aelia. Things I haven’t uttered for half a century.”

My heart leapt into my throat.

“I know what you mean.”

Brushing my hair behind my ear, he leaned in and whispered, “I want to save them for our binding day. I want the gods to know our truths.”

“Oh, Tharan.” I bit my lip. My fingers shook with a mix of apprehension and excitement.

He kissed my cheek. “Sleep now, my King Killer, my Queen of the Dead.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I drifted off to sleep in his arms.

8AELIA

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