Page 57 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

“Whoa.” Finnian lifted his hands, but I could see mirth dancing in his eyes.

I wanted to smack him, but that would require me to expend more energy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t strong and needed to save my strength. “I shall be happy to remove the tongue from your mouth to make that possible.”

Finnian rolled his eyes. Despite his attitude, he was tense, and he attempted to defuse situations with humor. Normally, I’d ignore him, but we were in an extremely dire situation.

Nose wrinkling, Eiric grimaced at me before turning her attention back to Lira. “They behave like this when we’re in danger.”

My back straightened, but I bit my tongue. Even though I hated to be spoken to that way, especially by a sunscorched, we deserved her criticism… and most important, this was Lira’s sister in all the ways that mattered to her. I wanted to retrieve my sword, but due to the circumstances, I’d have to strategize how later. “We should leave before someone else checks on us. I suspect Fate won’t bless us like that again.”

Lira nodded, turning so she could see all three of us. “You’re right. We need to leave before they begin tracking us.” She headed to the cell door, shut it, and locked it. No one would be able to see the unconscious guard, though someone would suspect something was amiss when they noticed the guard wasn’t right outside the door.

As if summoned by my thoughts, footsteps sounded outside the door, and the four of us descended into silence. After a moment, Lira raced toward the open secret door and waved for us to follow.

Knowing she’d refuse to leave if all three of us didn’t make a move, I gestured to Eiric and Finnian to go first. I could communicate with Lira through our mind link, so the other two needed to be between us in case she needed to explain something to everyone.

Eiric gestured for me to go ahead of her, making me believe I could possibly not despise her after all. Her actions stemmed from her loyalty to Lira, despite her dislike of Finnian and me.

Crossing his arms, Finnian confirmed he wouldn’t move unless I did. Both of them were determined to protect the two people they cared for.

The footsteps grew louder, so I didn’t dawdle. I raced to the spot behind Lira with Finnian and Eiric on my wings. As soon as the four of us had crammed through the opening, Lira bent down and pressed her finger to something at the foot of the door.

“Blighted abyss,” a woman grumbled outside the cell just as the secret door began closing. A key slid into the lock, and there was a click just as the secret door shut completely, casting us in complete darkness.

Abangcame from the other side of the wall, followed by a loud gasp. “Greason,” the woman half screamed, half rasped.

There went any hope of us getting out of the castle before someone realized we’d escaped.We need to move.

I left the lantern in the cell,Lira replied, her frustration burning my chest.I can’t see a damn thing.

Damn? I had no clue what that meant, but there was no time to dwell on that.Heal me a little with your magic. I can fix this.I hated to ask her to do it, but we didn’t have time for the four of us to stumble over each other.

The moment her hands touched my arms, I wanted to moan at the comforting jolt that thrummed through us. Though we hadn’t been apart for long, she was meant to be by my sidealways. While I’d been chained with nothing but time to think, all I could focus on was how much I needed and missed her.

She leaned toward me, her lips finding mine as she raised her hands and cupped my face. She kissed me, and I folded, completely at her mercy. Maybe I should’ve said no, but I couldn’t stop. Her tongue slipped into my mouth, and Iswallowed the groan that almost left me, mainly because I didn’t want to risk any guards hearing me. When her warm, refreshing magic pulsed inside me, I nearly came undone.

Between the feel of her, the way my chest felt like it could implode from her love, and the way her magic synced with mine, I forgot where we were and what we were doing. The only thing better would have been burying my cock inside her and giving her even a portion of the pleasure she had me feeling.

Slowly, my magic sparked to life, and the wounds I’d gotten from trying to claw my way out of my chains closed, the skin tightening as they faded away.

White-hot rage warmed my usually frozen blood as I thought of the flamer who was the biggest threat standing in my and Lira’s way. He’d die painfully by my hands in a matter of time, eliminating the threat he posed to Lira and me. I would not tolerateanyonecoming between us.

Am I hurting you?Lira asked, her concern bringing me back to the present.

No. I was merely contemplating all the things we have against us and how I’ll bring each one to its knees.

The two of us together,she vowed, making me fall more in love with this perfect-for-me woman.

You’ve done enough.Even though I wanted to continue to focus on the moment, having a future with her was more important.

The cell door slammed shut, and the woman yelled, “Someone get the king and queennow!”

Lira tensed.

“Are we ever going to make our exit?” Finnian muttered. “I get that you two have been apart, but now isn’t the time for romance. I can hear you, and the guard just rushed out of the room.”

“I can’t see a fucking thing,” Eiric whispered. “How the hell are we supposed to get out of here?”

Even though I didn’t understand every word she’d said, I comprehended the meaning. I flicked my wrist, allowing the inky feel of my illusion magic to take root and emanate light around us.

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