Page 46 of Kingdom of Flames & Flowers
Ha. Fat chance.
He hovered there for a moment, so still that I wondered what in the hells he was doing. Then his head lowered the rest of the way, and I felt something wet meet my flesh. I yanked my hand back hard, uncaring of the extra white-hot flare of agony that went through my hand.
“Did you justlickit!?” I cried out, and then froze. The throbbing in my hand wasn’t as bad. I gathered my courage and looked at it, wincing at the shiny red skin already covered in boils. Except for a few inches right in the middle, where the skin looked pristine and new—right where Zion had licked me.
My chest seized at the impossibility.
“Do it again,” I demanded, shoving my hand back in Zion’s face.
He blinked rapidly, his neck red in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know what came over me, I—what? You want me to do it again?”
“Look!” I thrust my hand under his nose, willing him to understand. “It did something! Just shut up and lick me! Please!”
I wasn’t above begging. Not when the wound hurt so badly and his tongue had felt like the sweetest relief …
Zion took one look at the distress on my face and grabbed my palm with both of his. Without hesitation, he brought his lips to my burn, and I moaned as cool, sweet relief soared through the damaged flesh.
My eyes drifted closed in ecstasy as his tongue dragged across my hand, leaving a trail of dizzying numbness in its wake.
“Mari. Mari? Are you alright?”
I gave a slight grunt, not wanting to be bothered. My hand felt so good, and a strange feeling was buzzing just underneath my veins. I didn’t want to stop it. It was similar to what Zion had done to my body before, but more localized. It was the sweetest drug.…
“Mari.”
My eyes cracked open to slits, just enough to take in the sight of Zion, his lips kissing my healed hand as hooded eyes stared directly into mine.
“Ok …” I slurred at him.
When he wasn’t being a prat, his small smile was just as dazzling as Zariah’s.
“Ok what?” he asked, nuzzling my hand against his face.
“Not a total cock,” I whispered, yawning and closing my eyes again.
“You and your obsession with my cock,” he muttered back, amusement tinging his voice.
I ignored him even as he lifted me into the air and set me back down on a wonderful, luxurious softness, and I fell asleep.
ChapterFourteen
Iwoke slowly, my hand itchy. I scratched at it, then remembered I’d horribly burned it and scratching would only make it worse.
Yet no pain came.
My eyes snapped open, and I stared down at the perfectly healed flesh. My mind caught up with the rest of me, including the heated reminder of how Zion had licked it healed.
What?
Speaking of, the asshole in question was nowhere to be found. That was likely for the best since I didn’t know how I’d react if I’d woken up to him spooning me or anything else quite ridiculous. He made me just as hot and bothered as his brother, but he was a complete dick about it.
Though he had healed my hand.
I carefully got out of bed, my nose wrinkling at the state of my filthy clothes, which were the same ones I’d had on when Zariah had taken me. I would need a bath and to change as soon as possible.
Approaching the door with caution, I picked up a cloak on a nearby chair and used it to grasp the handle. It was cool. I opened it and chanced a peek down the staircase.
Dragon fire blackened it, but it was otherwise intact. Stone would do that, I supposed. A layer of grime and soot gathered on my boots as I descended the winding staircase. My stomach grumbled, and I wondered what time it was. If breakfast was still on in our rooms, I’d snag something to eat first, then shower and change my clothes.
