Page 110 of The Crown of Nyx

The demon king quirked a brow as he glanced around the crypt, though his eyes revealed nothing. “This was built to withstand the war,” he murmured. “We are nothing to the old magic carved into the stone.”

A shiver rolled down my spine, gaze straying to the five vampires. To their quiet, sleeping forms hidden within stone tombs.

I abandoned my curiosity and moved to the archway, sparing only one final glance at the crypt before leaving it—and its secrets—behind.

45

Ivy

Acool, misty rain made its way through the trees, leaving me feeling somewhat refreshed. My heart ached with worry for everyone, but I buried it as I made my way into the trees. I knew Hawk still had eyes on me; I felt the burn of them on my back as I stayed in his line of sight.

My magic yearned for him, but it didn’t pulsate with need like it once did. Like it knew he wouldn’t be ours any time soon.

Still, though, it was hard to ignore the way he watched me. Every look felt stolen, and I only felt more disappointment when I was around him and he did nothing.

I would accept his rejection if he actually said it to me. Even though I knew the impact it would have on me—on my power—I had no desire to force a bond. But he had to be the one to voice it—not to the others, but to me, directly.

I released a breath as I glanced over my shoulder. He still watched me with those dark, emotionless eyes. Something within them told me it was way more complicated, but I also couldn’t forget the way he’d made me feel the night I’d caught him with the red head on his lap. The ease in which he’d held her. The bond might not have been recognised between either of us yet, but the pull had been there.

He’d felt it and ignored it.

Turning away from him, I ducked further into the trees where Elias prowled the underbrush. My mate lifted his head, shifting as I approached.

Everything okay?he asked through the bond, opening his arms to me.

I stepped into his embrace and rested my head against his chest, over the steady beat of his heart.Yeah, I’m okay. Everyone is okay. I just needed to get away from Hawk.

Elias growled darkly. “If he hurt you…”

I had no doubt Elias knew what Hawk said to Adrian and Rowan. My mages weren’t capable of keeping something like that between us, especially because it hurt me. I loved them for it, but it also made the tension worse between all of my bonded mates and Hawk.

“He didn’t hurt me,” I murmured, pressing my hand against his chest as I met his stare. “Not any more than he has.”

It was hard lying to a shifter who knew better. Elias pressed his lips together, though the tension in his body loosened as he sighed. “I’m sorry, Angel. I wish I could help you with that, but if I had my way, he’d be bleeding.”

“Yeah, thank you for your restraint,” I deadpanned. “I know they told you about what he said, and I know how protective you are over me, but I think this is something that I’m going to have to deal with alone.”

Elias’s jaw ticked, eyes leaving mine to look in the direction I’d come from. He likely couldn’t see Hawk from here, but I could only imagine the glare he was giving the other male. And the thoughts…Elias was blocking me from the worst, but I could definitely feel his anger through our bond.

“I don’t like the idea of you having to deal with this alone,” Elias muttered, eyes dropping to meet mine again. “You deserve better than whateverthatis.”

My heart fluttered, warming. “I know that now,” I murmured, cupping his cheek. Scruff lined his strong jaw, darkening his chin. Usually, he kept himself so clean shaven, but I kind of liked the way the shadow appeared on his face.

Elias’s lips quirked with a smile as he ducked his head, nose brushing mine. “You like the beard, huh?”

My cheeks warmed, but I didn’t shy away—or hide my thoughts. “Yes,” I replied. “And I think you’d look hot with a beard for real.”

My shifter mate chuckled under his breath before claiming my lips. It was a deep kiss, one that stole my breath from my lungs. I wound my free arm around his neck as he held me tighter, each swipe of his tongue against mine stoking the burning need flaring within me. I’d only had him twenty-four hours ago, and yet my skin flushed with desire.

Elias growled against my lips.I can’t take you like I want to out here,he said through the bond.But I can give you the release you desperately need, Angel.

I sucked in a gasping breath as he tore his mouth from mine. His lips were pink and swollen from the kiss, but his eyes glowed with the presence of his wolf. And yet, my mate had complete control.

He walked me backwards into a tree, eyes roaming my body, scanning my gear. One hand skimmed the length of my body, trailing up my side to capture one of my breasts.

“There is so much I still want to do with these,” he murmured, eyes latched onto my chest. “Fuck.”

My skin puckered with the heat of his words, and the thoughts that raced through his mind: me on my knees with his cock between my tits as he fucked them, his cum dripping from my nipples after his release coated them. I could almost see it in my mind, and the idea alone had my pussy fluttering, pressure building in my core.

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