Page 16 of Kiss of Fire

“Because my adoptive parents died in a fire which everyone thinks I started.”

“You were the only survivor?”

“Yes. I was lucky.”

“It was not luck. You survived because fire cannot harm you.”

She started to speak, to tell him he was being an idiot, but closed her mouth. In her mind’s eye she saw the flames licking up the walls around her. Everything burning. Caroline and Ross. Yet not one hair on her head had been singed.

It was one reason why no-one had believed her story. That, and the forensics analysis which showed the fire was far too hot to be an ordinary accident.

She licked her lips, suddenly nervous.

“The fire was started by something that was there that night.” She took a breath. “I think it was a demon.”

“What did it want?”

His tone wasn’t mocking or patronising. He seemed to accept that demons did, in fact, exist. She felt oddly grateful.

“It said I smelled like someone. A woman.”

“Most likely the creature was searching for Aelah.”

Raya jerked.

“My mother... she’s still alive?”

“We believe so. And while she lives, her line retains power over the clan. That line ends with you. That is why I need you. As head of the clan, you can ally your people to me.”

“Mypeople?” She gave a hollow laugh, overwhelmed by everything she’d just been told. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “Look, I need time to process. I have so many questions. I can’t even think straight. Whereismy mother? And what about my father? Why haven’t they…”

“I need an answer, Suraya.” He interrupted her, his voice hard. “I know this is a lot to take in. But right now, the throne is at stake. There are forces working to conspire against me. My only hope is to build a position of strength.”

“But I don’t know mypeople, as you call them. How am I supposed to get them to join with you?”

“By posing as my betrothed.”

She shook her head in disbelief, sure she’d misheard.

“You want me to pretend we’re getting married?”

“Only for a short time. A matter of weeks. But I need an answer quickly.”

“Are you kidding me? You’ve just landed a shit ton of new information on me and you want a decisionnow?I mean, this is nuts. I don’t even know what a fucking fae is.”

“It doesn’t matter. I only need to know if you agree.”

She glared at him angrily, stung by his utter lack of compassion.

“I’m not agreeing to anything until I know what the hell is going on.”

“You think you have a choice?”

Suddenly he was right up against her. She hadn’t seen him move, but he had his hands wrapped round her upper arms and his face was less than two inches away. Shadows boiled off him and she felt his fury. Her mouth went dry.

“Get off me.”

She was surprised she could even speak. She tried to wrench free of his grip and tendrils of darkness wrapped themselves around her waist and hips, holding her still. They may have looked insubstantial, but they were as solid as iron.

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