Page 33 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
But he was already there, tugging the fabric of her ebony gown together.
After a moment, he let out a low growl. “These buttons are ridiculously tiny.”
“It’s your dress.”
“Yes, well, I wanted you to wear the chiffon piece.”
“Not a chance.”
He continued to fumble at her spine. Every few moments, he’d tug on the fabric again as he started over. She released a frustrated sigh and twisted. “Here, let me.”
“No. I’m going to get it. Now hold still.” He rested his palm on her bare back, pressing her to face forward. The feel of his hand on her skin was warm and gentle. She stilled, her heart racing.
His thumb brushed over her spine as if to calm her. “Good girl,” he said, his voice low.
Was she afraid? She wasn’t afraid. Of course not. Not of him. No, she was alert, that was all. Gods, what was he scenting on her right now?
Suddenly, she was aware of how close he stood. Of his breath on her neck. The demon scent that was his and yet… she knew that scent didn’t match the smell nor taste of the blood that lurked under his skin. He lifted his hand and returned to methodically working on the buttons.
When he finished, he leaned close, and breathed in. His lips were a breath away from grazing across her skin.
“I think,” he said darkly, mockingly, “that you like me this close, Vampress. There is something here,” he reached around her and lightly tapped on her chest. “That gives you away.”
She didn’t dare move, her heart pounding even faster as if in response. His heat on her body warmed her, and the slight feel of his shadows brushing across her ankles caused shivers to race over her at the same time.
“Not to mention,” he murmured, “the subtle yet clear scent drifting up from between your—”
Stepping away, she turned to face him, her hands clenched. “I think you are mistaken, Your Majesty.” She raised her chin. “I believe it is yourscentthat is giving you away.”
They stared at each other, the smell of both of their arousal in the air, mixing together like the coiling serpents on her thigh. He took a step toward her and an uncertainty tightened inside her, causing her to step back. This was her enemy. She wasn’t allowed to desire him.To want those sharp nails scraping across her skin, or his claiming lips on hers.
His eyes narrowed and he turned from her. His swiftness surprised her as he hurried from the washroom with purposeful strides. With his nearness gone, the heat in her body cooled. Aryana hastened after him to see him next to a cabinet. Once open, he pulled out a vial of clear liquid. There was a slight tremor in his hands as he popped the cork and downed its contents.
“What is that?” she asked.
“Medicine.”
“Are you sick?”
He choked on a strangled laugh. “You may be my kalator in the trials, but that doesn’t entitle you to ask unnecessary questions.”
“I’d think going into the Demon Trials, knowing if the male I am fighting for survival with is unwell, is vital information.”
Something in his expression grew dangerous and Aryana tensed, but then he put the empty vial in the cabinet again before locking it and returning the key to the mantle. “Tell me, how might your betrothed feel if he discovered you are Bloodbound to the demon arch king?”
A picture of Raydin flashed through her mind. He’d do anything for her uncle’s approval. Anything if it meant he’d be the next king.“I thought we weren’t entitled to unnecessary questions about each other.”
“You are not entitled to ask questions aboutme. But for you… I am about to sneak into your home, a home of enemies, to retrieve the scepter. If things should go awry, and our treachery or our bond isdiscovered, it will be good to know the nature of the relationships you have with those around you.”
He raised an expectant eyebrow.
She still didn’t think it fair, but he should likely be aware of what they were up against. “He’d probably desire to kill both of us. But he wants to be king more. So he’d focus on killing you and find other, more subtle, ways to take out his anger on me afterward.”
“And your uncle?”
“He’d gut us both where we stood.”
“What a lovely family."
