Page 56 of Burning Star

Aerix’s face darkens, his magic cold and sharp. “She said that to you?”

“She’s scared,” I rush to her defense, even though I don’t like her. “They both are. But I think I can fix it.”

He narrows his eyes. “What, exactly, are you suggesting?”

I take a shaky breath. “Maybe I should stay in the human wing sometimes. Just to smooth things over. I actually like Sophia. She’s been kind to me from the start. And Victoria…” I hesitate. “I’d rather have her as an ally than an enemy.”

His jaw tightens. “You want to leave my chambers to appease them.”

“Not leave,” I say quickly. “Just… not stay every night. Not yet.”

His wings retract with a sharp, controlled rustle, and I brace myself, half-expecting him to bite me again—harder this time, less forgiving.

Instead, his voice comes low and even more dangerous.

“Stick with Aurora and Isla,” he says, and I blink, thrown.

“Isla?”

She’s the youngest of the group. Smart, yes. Careful. An excellent chess player. One of the king’s girls. But Aerix has never mentioned her to me. I didn’t even know he noticed her existence until now.

“She’s been here long enough to know how to navigate the court,” he continues, although there’s something hidden beneath his words—something he’s not telling me.

“You’re being cryptic,” I say, studying him.

“I’m being practical. And I need you to trust me. Aurora and Isla are the best companions for you. However, if you insist on appeasing Victoria and Sophia, then I won’t stop you.” He pauses, his black eyes glinting like ice beneath midnight. “But I need you to remember where your true loyalty lies.”

My heart pounds.

“I will,” I whisper.

His eyes flash in quiet warning. “Tell me now,” he says, and my heart races, the heat between us crackling to life again. “Where does your loyalty lie?”

“With you,” I promise him, grounding myself in it. “Always with you.”

“Good.”

He pauses, the moment stretching, his stare burning through me.

“I’ve already sent Aethelthryth home for the night,” he finally says, his voice low and intimate, “but I’ll escort you back to the human wing myself.”

“You’d do that?”

The question slips out before I can stop it.

He tilts his head, dark amusement crossing his face. “I’d do anything for you.”

My heart twists, and I lean forward, placing my palms flat on his chest.

“Just for tonight,” I promise. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

His gaze turns molten.

“You’d better be,” he growls, grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me in for another kiss.

This one is deeper, more desperate, teeth scraping against my lower lip, claiming me all over again. His wings flare, wrapping around us like a shield from the rest of the world.

I don’t think he’s going to let me go.

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