Page 18 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“Good.” He lowered his sword and sheathed it. “One more mistake and you’re dead. You aren’t to touch her. Do you understand?”

Tavish bent down and picked me up in his arms. “Take Nightbane to the prison cells so he can patrol while they work.”

My elbow ached, and my head pounded, yet the buzzing of our connection soothed me in a way I didn’twant or need to understand. He turned, flinching ever so slightly like he was uncomfortable. Still, he didn’t pause as he strode to the door. “Finnian, retrieve Caelan and meet me in my room in fifteen minutes.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Finnian bowed with the corners of his mouth tipped up as if to hide a grin.

Even though I wasn’t safe with Tavish, not really, I dreaded heading back to the holding cell, but at least I still had my dagger. A guard wouldn’t expect me to have that. Next time, I’d have to go for a neck or wing like Tavish had. My dagger had a short blade, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, not with their lives at stake.

Tavish marched back toward the prison, his feet echoing against the floor. I’d expected him to fly again, but I wouldn’t hurry him along.

My arms ached to wrap around his neck, but I kept them crossed firmly over my chest. I didn’t need his touch to add more confusion to the mix.

When we reached the last door on the right, he stopped and opened it.

We walked into a gigantic room in which half the walls were windows overlooking the kingdom. A portion of the ceiling was glass as well. The largest bed I’d ever seen sat underneath the skylight, giving whoever might lie on it a clear view of the sky. I couldn’t help but notice the twinkling stars and a blue aurora borealis. It was gorgeous.

“You’ll be staying here with me,” he said simply, setting me down and closing the door behind us. “You’d best behave and make sure you keep me happy.”

I inhaled sharply. “Is that my punishment? You’re going to force me to have sex with you?”

He froze, his irises again turning stormy, then stalkedtoward me. I tried offsetting his advances, but my right foot gave out. Luckily, I was close to a wall.

Placing a hand on either side of me so that I was trapped between his arms, he lowered his face to mine, our foreheads touching. He then whispered, “There would be no forcing about it.”

6

LIRA

My damn traitorous body heated, though my head told me to escape his clutches. I stood there, my breathing ragged as I fought like hell not to put my lips on his. Being trapped between him and the wall had all sorts of irrational images playing in my head, and none of them would happen.

I lifted my chin, not realizing that would bring my lips closer to his. His breath hit my face, and every cell in my body burned. How could someone as sexy as him be so cruel and arrogant? Granted, if he hadn’t been, there was no telling how far I might have fallen for him.

“Already desperate to kiss me, sprite?” He smirked and lowered his head closer.

Yeah, my dumb ass was, but thankfully,myhead decided to scream louder … barely. “I’m not going to kiss you,” I muttered, though I hated how breathy my voice sounded. I hoped he couldn’t hear the longing in it.

He leaned lower, his lips only millimeters from mine. “Who says I won’t kiss you?” His voice was low and breathy too, and I had to clamp my hands together to prevent themfrom wrapping around his arm and my fingers from threading through his hair.

My lips jolted, remembering how it’d felt when our mouths had brushed not even a day ago. We hadn’t truly kissed, but I wondered what it’d feel like, which had to be what he wanted.

To bait me and prove I was weak and moldable.

That I was pathetic.

That wouldn’t happen.

I’d rather die than allow a man to treat me poorly.

I placed my hands on his chest, desperately attempting to ignore how muscular it felt. I could feel the curves without even trying, and I wondered what he’d look like without a shirt on.

I needed to show him that I wouldn’t kiss him, not stand here like I wanted to devour him. If I struggled like this with him all broody and in clothes, I didn’t want to think about how I’d react to him naked.

I definitely couldn’t wonder about that.

He was my enemy, intent on destroying me on his own terms. He’d made it clear that he wanted the pleasure of breaking me. Still, I’d felt the buzzing between us even on Earth, and I wanted to know what he’d done to cause that reaction.

My head cleared, and I shoved him off me.

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