Page 35 of Shifting Desire
“You do it loudly.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.”
I get up and pad across the room barefoot.His gaze drops to my legs, bare under one of his button-down shirts that I may have stolen from my short visit to his place when he wasn’t looking.
His eyes darken.But he doesn’t move.
I stop in front of him and take his cup.Sip.It’s bitter and hot and exactly the jolt I need.
“I’ve never let someone protect me before,” I say softly.
“I noticed.”
“And I’m not saying I like it.”I look up at him.“But I’m saying I don’t hate it.”
That earns me a ghost of a smile.
I hand back the cup.“Any news on Ravik?”
“No movement last night,” he says.“But that doesn’t mean anything.He’s biding his time.”
“Let him,” I say, squaring my shoulders.“I’m not hiding.”
Malichai’s jaw flexes.“You’re not bait, Ari.”
“No,” I agree.“I’m the trap.”
He laughs, low and surprised.“You’re terrifying.”
“I’m a bartender with glitter nail polish.”
“You’re a half-fae with a dragon’s soul.”He leans down, brushing a curl behind my ear.“You were born to burn, little flame.”
My breath catches.There’s something about the way he says things.Like he sees all the parts of me I’ve been trying to hide and doesn’t flinch.Doesn’t judge.Doesn’t run.Maybe I’m not a mistake.Maybe I’m something more.
“I’ve been thinking,” I say.
“Dangerous.”
I poke his chest.“Shut up.I’ve been thinking about what it means to be yours.About what it would mean to rule beside you.”
His expression sobers instantly.
“I don’t want to just be your weakness,” I continue.“I want to be your strength.If I’m going to be your mate—if I’m going to be a queen in this twisted little underworld—you need to stop shielding me from the fire.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“Stop trying.”I pause.“Teach me.”
That stuns him.And for once, he has no clever retort.No teasing smirk.Just awe.Just quiet, bone-deep reverence in those dark eyes as he cups my face in his hands.
“You really mean that?”
“Yes.”
His thumbs stroke my cheeks.“Then I’ll teach you everything.Power.Politics.Blood oaths.Territory law.And how to make a vampire cry.”
