Page 38 of A Kingdom of Death & Darkness
“If you think that he’s being an asshole, then you’re wrong,” I explain. “He told me that whatever I decide to do, he’ll respect it.”
Christian laughs under his breath, but that laughter doesn’t meet his eyes. It’s a crackle of vacant amusement.
“He’s better than me in every way then. Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all—” I growl.
“Maybe it was a mistake to come here,” he says suddenly, cutting me off. His eyes flash with something I can’t place.
Anger flickers through me, and I have the urge to strike out at him. Instead, I hiss through my teeth, “Maybe you’re an asshole and you aren’t listening to what I’m saying!”
That flash comes again, and I realize what it is. It’s the look in a predator’s eyes just before it strikes. “Oh?” He edges closer, his gaze flicking to my lips before meeting my eyes. “What exactly are you saying then, pretty pet?”
“See,” I growl. “There you go again.” I roll my eyes, unamused. “We dance in this circle because you refuse to look any deeper. You say you yearn for me, and then always stop. You act like you care sometimes, and other times, you don’t. You give me the biggest case of whiplash. Fuck, it’s like you’re terrified to love something in your pretentious little life!”
He watches me carefully through my outburst, those eyes tracing my face and watching my flailing arms I use to make a point. When I finish my tirade, he raises a brow.
A smile tilts at the corner of his lips as he stares at me intently.
“You seem flustered, pretty pet.”
I scowl, and before I can think better of it, I grab his face between my palms. Power flickers through my fingers, humming to life with my emotions. His eyes widen when that power flickers out a little, the small electricity I’ve been practicing tingling along his skin and reminding him that I’m not exactly as human as he thought I was.
Because of him. Because of them.
“Stop that!” I growl. “Either love me or don’t. But stop playing games with me, Christian!”
He stares at me, my hands on either side of his face where I’d zapped him, surprise still there. And then inky lines creep over his face. His heated gaze darkens, and I know I probably made a mistake to touch this predator like I own him. I won’t back down now, no matter what happens, but I do shift on the stone bench.
“You shouldn’t have done that, pretty pet,” he purrs low through sharp extended fangs.
“And why not?” I hiss, still pissed, still holding onto him out of pure spite.
The corner of his lips flicks up once more in a sexy smile that makes my stomach flip. “Because now I’m going to devour you.”
He’s on me before I’ve even taken my next breath.
TWENTY-FIVE
Crymson
His kiss ishungry and consuming. His fingers are sharp and greedy. The sound of my moan is a lost sentiment between the slow flicking of our tongues. With both hands shoved through his hair, I hold on for dear life as he moves from my lips down the column of my throat with hot desperate kisses.
“Christian,” I warn as he pushes aside the strap of my dress and nips at the plump mound of my breast before fully pushing the offensive cloth down and covering my nipple fully with his mouth.
“Um...” I try hard to object, really I do.
Movement sways at my side, and I can’t help but notice how the white rose-like flowers dance in a way before their damp petals close in on themselves like children hiding behind their hands...
Wow, now I’m really self-aware of our surroundings.
My heart pounds hard, and my thighs clench harder as sharp teeth graze across sensitive flesh. Possessive hands grip my hips, and he’s shoving at the hem of my skirt as his head dips lower.
“Christian, it’s dark, but it’s not that dark,” I manage, and I feel his smirk kiss along my inner thigh. “We’re going to disrespect the fae if we don’t stop,” I finally say, rationally.
“The morbid one, what’s his name?” Christian asks with another flick of his tongue against the apex of my thigh.
My lashes flutter, but I focus on him. I hold tightly to his hair, pushing him away and pulling him back all at the same time. I can’t breathe, let alone think, and his question is confusing...morbid one?
