Page 47 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

“People are dying in these games,” she said tightly. “Are you actually saying that if you pick someone, then it’s all done? We don’t have to compete in any additional senseless trials?”

I blinked heavily, a sourness spreading over my tongue. “No.” The thickness in my throat intensified, along with the urge to hold her. “No…I can’t stop them.” I moistened my lips as my gaze held hers. Her lips were full and perfect. Had she ever been kissed? Surely she had. The thought of someone else's lips on her made my stomach queasy.

If someone had kissed her, I needed to correct that wrong and be her last. But if no one had, I wanted to be her first and only.

I leaned in closer so our lips were just inches apart and pressed my body to hers. “No. The Council—thecouncilswon’t let them stop, and there must be three trials. They're planning the second now."

Her chest heaved, her breasts pressing into my chest. Her gaze darted from my lips to my eyes so fast she likely hoped I wouldn’t notice...but I did.

"Do they plan everything? How many live? How many die?" That hard note in her voice trembled at the end.

“Everything that can be decided, they decide. The rest is left to Fate. All I can do is…be there.” Wishing that I could do more. Wishing I could protect her. My eyes shuttered, and my chest tightened to the point of pain.

I dropped my head to her neck and breathed her in. Feck. She smelled divine, and I never wanted to part from her again. I traced a line from her throat to her cheek with the tip of my nose and breathed her in again, luxuriating in her scent. My head spun as the blood throbbed in my veins, the bulge in my trousers now painful. Iwantedthis woman. I wanted her more than air and wine. No one in my past compared to how she made me feel.

Leaning closer, I pressed my forehead against hers. Her lips trembled as she stared up at me. “Fate is a pain in my butt,” she said.

I laughed softly, releasing her wrist and adjusting my position so I was as close as possible without leaning my whole weight on her. “Your butt is too perfect for Fate to hurt it.”

The most beautiful shade of pink flared across her cheeks, and her focus landed on my mouth. Everything inside me burned, but in a way that was comforting, and I wanted more.

I couldn’t believe I’d said it, but I didn’t regret it. All I’d regret was not tasting those sweet rosebud lips. If she’d had blackberry cloud truffle on her cheek, I’d have licked it off this time.

Unable to resist any longer, I grazed my lips over hers. A jolt of blazing warmth hit my soul. The tantalizing depths of her sweet mouth were only a breath away. It sent a pulse straight to my groin. I resisted the urge to stroke her cheek, but I brought my mouth to hers. Just one kiss. Maybe then all these strong feelings would go away.

Her hand flew to my chest, her touch firm. "Stop," she whispered hoarsely.

Stop?Every muscle in my body tightened, screaming at me to just kiss her and cover her body with mine. The blood thundered in my veins, throbbing and pleading for me to take her.

But no—she'd said stop. She'd—she'd asked me to stop.

The wheels of my mind turned slowly, and my fingers dug into the shelf near her head. I didn’t want to stop. I needed her like air. “Just one kiss. That’s all. I’m not asking for more.”

“I’m not strong enough for that,” she whispered, and her words broke me.

ChapterSixteen

Briar

My heart twisted and my head spun. I wanted him to ignore my plea and not just brush my lips but devour me. The spiciness of his arousal added to his leathery scent, making me want to rub myself all over him so we smelled of each other. My wolf whimpered, edging me to push my resistance aside.

But my head still screamedstop. If he kissed me, I wouldn’t want to stop, and I couldn’t afford such a massive distraction. My goal was set—survive and get home. I couldn’t let some fae royal shadow Vaddy keep me from doing that. Besides, he wouldn’t pick me even if he wanted to. I didn’t fit in here, and the thought of watching him with another… Tears stung my eyes.

No. I couldn’t keep going down that thought process. He wasn’t mine and never would be. I needed to get away and not put myself in a situation where, if I survived, I left broken-hearted.

He let out a long sigh, his cool alcohol-soaked breath hitting my face. He mumbled, “You’re right. This isn’t wise for either of us.”

The words stabbed my heart, but I couldn’t fault him for them. He clearly believed the same thing I did.

He took a step back, and the jolts from his body touching mine diminished to a faint buzz. I clenched my hands, wanting to pull him back against me.

“You should leave before I change my mind.” He lowered his head.

I wasn’t sure if it was from shame, embarrassment, or something else. But the reason didn’t matter. I needed to get back to my room before I did yet another thing that put me in a worse position.

“Are you able to find your room?” I didn’t want to leave him drunk and without someone to tend to him.

“Don’t worry. I have no doubt someone will join me soon.” He winced.

---