Page 82 of Forged in Flame and Shadow

I nod, then proceed to recount everything Respen told me about Caledon. Then I get to the part about him asking me to target Caledon before I go after my aunt.

“And what did you tell him?” Leon asks.

“I told him I’d think about it.”

Fairon chuckles, a light, friendly noise.

“What?” I ask. “Was that the wrong thing to say?”

“No,” Fairon says. “Actually, it was perfect. I just don’t think my grandfather is used to people taking his suggestions as anything other than direct orders. He obviously needed to be reminded that you’re no pushover, Your Highness,” he says.

“Damn right she’s not,” Leon grunts.

Fairon stands. I don’t miss the way he has to use the arm of the chair to help him to his feet, and I can tell that Leon doesn’t, either. I hope the healers are right about him getting his full strength back soon.

“I’ll leave you now. It sounds like you need some space to talk things over and consider the king’ssuggestion,” he says with an ironic smile.

Once the door clicks shut and Leon and I are alone again, I consider what Ididn’ttell him about my meeting with Respen. Specifically, his grandfather warning me off him. There was a lot about that conversation which hammered my dislike for Respen into place, but nothing more than that moment. I hate how he doesn’t see Leon as anything more than a weapon. Someone who will bend to his every whim.

“I’m not going to do what your grandfather wants,” I say to Leon, staring up at him. “I still want to go after Oclanna first. Caledon can wait.” I sigh, wondering if I should reveal exactly how conflicted I am. Does it make me sound heartless? Or cowardly? “Honestly, I don’t know if I want to face Caledon at all,” I admit.

For just a second, I wonder if Leon’s reaction will confirm everything Respen said about him. If he’ll tell me to reconsider and push me to follow his grandfather’s advice. After all, the fae king has sat on his throne for centuries, and I’m just a silly human woman who’s never ruled anything.

Leon looks down at me, his eyes intense enough to pull me right into their depths.

“If it’s your aunt’s life you want, then we’ll leave for Elmere tonight,” he says.

A surge of joy makes me jump up and throw myself toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. He responds with a hunger that reminds me there’s no such thing as a quick or simple kiss with this man. Every touch from him lights a fire in me, making me crave more. He must feel the same, because as he teases my tongue with his, his hands slide around my waist, and his cock hardens against me.

I let my hand slide between us, cupping the growing bulge. He growls in response, pressing into my palm. I realize how much I enjoy the noise, wondering whatothernoises I can elicit from Leon.

We break from our kiss, and as I gaze into his eyes, dark with want, an idea comes to me.

“Stay still,” I say and drop to my knees, unfastening his pants before he can stop me—or I can lose my nerve.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his voice rough. I give him a wry look because I suspect he knowsexactlywhat I’m doing. Still, I answer.

“I’m giving you what you deserve,” I say, my own voice husky.

It’s true. He can’t know what it meant to me to have him accept my decision, no questions asked. He has faith in me, and I want to show him howverygrateful I am for that.

I let out a breath as I unsheathe him from his pants, allowing myself a moment to admire the thick length of him and thesmooth, glistening head. I slide my hand gently down the shaft, grinning as he hisses.

“You better be planning to do more than look at it, princess,” he mutters through gritted teeth.

I stare up at him in mock innocence, batting my eyelashes. “Like what?”

His hand reaches for my chin, his thumb easing between my lips. I suck on the tip of it, which makes the fire in his eyes flare and his cock twitch in my hand.

“Like putting that pretty mouth of yours to good use,” he says.

I lick my lips and slowly lower them to the head of his cock, swiping my tongue across it, soaking up the taste of him. I get too much enjoyment from the sharp inhalation this pulls from him. Usually, it’s hismouth leaving me totally undone. I want to do the same to him—want to makehimfall apart forme.

I slide my lips around him, slowly taking him deeper into my mouth. His hand tangles in my hair, and I find I like the way he grips just a little too tight, like he’s barely holding back from taking control. My assumption is confirmed when he talks to me in a voice that hisses like it’s being dragged across hot coals.

“Keep teasing me like that, princess, and I’ll have to show you how it’s done.”

I hold his gaze as I take him just a little deeper, and then I relent, starting to move my mouth. I build a pace as I use the hand wrapped around the base of him too, squeezing lightly while I suck and lick. His head falls back, a rumble of pleasure sounding from deep in his chest when I trace my tongue along the thick vein running up his shaft.

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