Page 24 of The King of Frost and Shadows

Something was horribly wrong.

My breathing quickened as fear strangled me.

“It’ll be all right, Lira.” Finnian took a slow step toward me. “Let me help you get your dress down before Tavish and Caelan see you like this. I promise I won’t do anything more.”

I nodded, my head woozy from the lack of oxygen.

Finnian gripped my waist, lifted me, and tossed me onto the bed.

I managed to keep my knees together to prevent myself from flashing him in a very intimate way. This wasn’t how I wanted a guy seeing me completely naked for the first time to witness … well—everything.

His hands gripped the hem of the dress, brushing against my skin. “Calm down. You’re safe.”

I waited for the buzz, but the sensation never came. Instead, his hands on me feltwrong.

What the hell?

I squirmed to get away, and the dress hiked up higher.

This was why my parents always told me to remain rational and not lose my head.

Finnian mashed his lips together, but his eyes twinkled.

“Let me help you. It’ll go much faster, especially if youstay still.” He raised both hands like he wanted to prove they weren’t weapons.

My face burned. I must look like a tomato … or whatever was red in their world. “Fine, but don’t look at my bare half.”

His brows rose. “You think I’ve never seen a woman’s vagina before?” He rubbed his fingers along his chest. “I’ve seen hundreds of vaginas and have loved each one.”

Ew. Was he being serious? “No loving mine. Got it?” Of course he’d been with hundreds of women. And if he’d been with hundreds, I didn’t want to consider how many Tavish had been with.

Not that I cared or anything.

He ran a hand down his face as if to prevent himself from laughing again. “I vow to you, Lira. Even though I find you extremely appealing, you are one with whom I willneversuccumb to my urges.”

Ah, yes, here the insults came. “Because I’mSeelie?”

“No, that’s not why.” He winked. “I can make any type of woman scream. It’s for reasons I won’t get into with you. Either way, you’re safe with me, unlike most others.”

I believed him … which bothered me.

Before I could force myself to tell him no, his hands grasped the hem of the dress and tugged it down.

The material gave, so I kept my mouth shut, wanting to reclaim my pride. He leaned over me, his arms working, and just as the dress covered my ass, the door to the bedroom opened.

My body heated despite the temperature of the room dropping a few degrees.

With those weird competing sensations, I knew who it was.

Tavish.

Our eyes connected, and Tavish’s face tightened, and his nostrils flared. His wings opened, and he flapped over to us, grabbing Finnian’s shoulders and yanking him away from me.

Finnian’s grasp ripped a piece off the bottom of the dress as he was thrown against the wall.

“How many times do I have to say nobody touches her!” Tavish bellowed and charged at him.

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