Page 86 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
She looked at him in shock. “I’m sorry?”
He stalked into the room, heading straight for his washbasin on his vanity, and started scrubbing the blood off his hands too vigorously. “You were supposed to keep your fighting skills hidden.”
She followed him and shut the door. “I don’t understand what you’re upset about. The crowd loves that I can fight. I’m helping your image.”
Crimson liquid bloomed out in the small basin, turning the water red. “Yes, the crowd, but how do you think the council feels? You imagine they’ll love it if avampirebecomes a serious contender in the Demon Trials?” Even though the rankings had only been for the opening ceremony, it was the council who planned each trial. It was the council that could adjust almost any aspect of the trials they chose, putting champions at greater or lesser risk.
She threw the bloody sword onto the stone floor of his bedchamber. “I’m not a serious contender. You’ve made that clear.”
He spun toward her, his nostrils flaring. “Buttheyneed to believe that. They need to think you are like any other harmless kalator out there.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why?”
“Does it hurt you if the council doesn’t favour me? If you can bring even someone such as me to heel—”
“To heel, Aryana. Not a fighting partner.” He sighed, sinking into the chair next to the vanity.
She stared at him, her red gaze bright and angry. “Then why give me this, Zarathos?” She tore off the tunic he’d given her, revealing the dragon armor. The scales seemed to consume the light from the fireplace and gather into her glittering eyes. The way it hugged her body, showing off every curve, made his blood warm.
He swallowed. “It won’t do me any good if you die in the first trial. I've told you before, I’m merely protecting my investment.”
She lifted an eyebrow and came closer to him. Her smooth, pearl-like skin contrasted with the crimson in her eyes and the fulness of her lips. “Is that all I am? Your investment?”
He’d expected her to close off or for her to get angry for dismissing her like that, but instead, she approached with a sultry look.
He met her seductive gaze. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?” She reached out and touched his face, drawing her fingers down his skin. He sat, unmoving, seeking not to show how much he liked her soft caress.
“Yes.”
She came closer, and Zarathos held his breath as she leaned in. “Then how does an investment say thank you?” she whispered against his ear.
Shit. Molten fire slid through his veins at her nearness.
He turned his head and caught her mouth against his. The perfect softness of her lips was exquisite. His hands wrapped around her waist as she hovered over him, tugging her closer, taking more, demanding more.
Her hips shifted forward, and she sank into his lap, straddling him, knees resting on either side of the chair in which he sat. She pressed her hands to his face as her lips caressed his. The mark on his arm burned. He reached up and undid her hair that was pulled into a warrior bun. Her tresses tumbled down her back like an uncoiling serpent. Gods, she was… his tongue lashed out, brushing against her lips, seeking permission to deepen the kiss. Her mouth parted, and he swept in, curling his around hers. He scraped his claws over the scales covering her torso and abdomen, descending gradually.
The beast inside him reared. The fire rising in his chest was morphing into a hunger that would never be satiated. He cupped her ass with one palm and reached between her thighs with the other. He pressed, rubbing gently through her trousers and armor, which were lined on the inside with a soft fabric. The flat of his thumb rotated against her apex.
Aryana gasped and her head tipped back, her hair hung in beautiful silken streams reflecting the firelight. Her hands clasped his neck, her nails scraping across his skin.
He’d take every part of her. He’d break her apart until every fragment of her cried out, until the entirety of her belonged to him. She didn’t know how long he could go. He’d take without stopping until she shattered between his hands, and still he’d have her as his.
She leaned forward and kissed him again. Her tongue flicked playfully against his lips, and the inferno in his veins only intensified.
The raging beastdemanded he have her and never stop.
No.
He clenched his teeth. Shoving her away, he leapt to his feet, backing up several steps.
Shit. The scent drifting off of her was so potent. It was pure arousal. The look in her eyes swirled with heady desire and a bit of frustration. He ran a hand through his hair as the creature curling in his breast roared in protest, demanding satisfaction.
“You trying to seduce me, Vampress?” he snarled.
