Page 189 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
And before he knew what was happening, his fangs sank into her. Warm fire slid over his tongue, coppery and divine. He drank deeply, forgetting everything around him. His entire existence was narrowed in on the life flowing into him.
Life must give, and death must take.
Pull after luscious pull, blood slid down his throat, a low groan sounding from his chest.
Until shadows wrapped around him and a slight burn prodded at the back of his mind. It flared a little more, enough to make him annoyed. Enough to make him snarl at whatever was trying to interrupt him.
He blinked as a lick of fire traced along his jaw. “Later, my love. We’ll finish this later,” she said, her voice breaking through everything.
And for the first time since he’d turned, he felt somewhat sated. Even though he still wanted more, needed more… But it washer. Nothing would ever be enough when it came to her.
A throat cleared down the table, and it was only then he remembered they were with a roomful of people.
It was only then he remembered the godsdamn snake at the other end of it.
Reaching over, he took Kat’s chin, pulling her closer. He brushed his lips over hers. Once. Twice. Three times before he said in a low purr, “Thank you, kitten.”
“Well, I think this little…issue is the perfect way to bring up the concern I’ve asked you all here tonight to discuss,” Bree said, sitting back in her chair.
Axel’s gaze slowly slid to her, his eyes narrowing. She was feigning concern, but he could see the touch of smugness beneath the mask.
“And what concern is that?” Kylian asked, picking up his glass of liquor and swirling the ice.
“I know tension has been high in the Underground. Alliances, both here and in the kingdoms, are being questioned. Some broken. New ones born,” Bree said. “And let’s not ignore the obvious. Everyone at this table knows of the escalating conflict between myself and Axel.”
“The conflict between us is personal, Bree,” Axel said tightly.
“Exactly,” she said, eyes widening. “And you are bringing others into a personal matter.”
He barked a harsh laugh. “You cannot be serious. Everyone here knows you’ve been scheming to overtake the Underground. To seize control and power.”
“Not fromthem,” she argued, gesturing to the other leaders. “We don’t deserve to be locked away down here.”
“And I agree. That’s why I am working with Theon to make changes. You know this.”
She scoffed bitterly. “A Legacy cannot help us.”
“Not alone, no,” Kat interjected. “But Theon is not alone. Theon is different and so is she.”
“Tessa is uncontrollable,” Bree sneered. “You know that as well as I do.”
“How can you possibly know that?” Axel asked. “You’ve never even met her.”
“The Fates watch all the power players carefully,” she returned. “The realm has been waiting for her. The Decree is proof enough of that.”
“You’re wrong,” Kat cut in again. “But let’s pretend you aren’t. Let’s pretend she is a potential problem. Theon is the best chance at controlling her. Theon is the best chance at seeing the Underground liberated. And Axel is the most logical path to Theon’s ear.”
“And what has he done as of late?” Bree countered.
“For starters, he is staying Theon’s hand at retribution for sending us the head of an Arius general,” Kat said simply, picking up her glass of juice. “If anyone is escalating tension in the Underground, it is you, Miss DelaCrux.”
The room was silent for several seconds before Cade said, “I find it interesting your wife is speaking for you, St. Orcas.”
“She is more than just my wife,” Axel replied coldly. “If she wishes to speak, then she will. She is my equal as much as anyone at this table. As nearly everyone at this table can attest, I have no desire to rule over you. If we can work together and present a compromise of sorts to the kingdoms, we can start negotiations on different…living arrangements.”
“And if they decline? What then?” Bree asked, clearly having collected herself. “When negotiations die and we are denied?”
“We deal with that if we must and not before.”
