Page 52 of Kiss of Fire

“You deliberately disobeyed me.”

“Disobeyed?” She gave a bark of laughter. “I don’t do well with orders. You know that.”

“You put yourself at risk. It would have been safer to fly with me.”

“I was perfectly safe, thank you. As you can see.”

He ground his teeth in frustration. Why did she not understand?

“It is not just that.” His hand closed over her arm and he jerked her closer, keeping his voice low. “Half the castle just saw you ride in with another man. Alone.”

“So?” His closeness was unsettling and she pulled against his grip. It was unyielding.

“You are meant to be betrothed to me. If anyone suspects it is a ruse…”

“The only one making this look like a ruse is you,” Raya hissed angrily. “Always glaring at me, yelling at me, pulling me around. At least Tor treats me with respect. He’s probably wondering why the fuck I’m betrothed toyou.”

Shade’s gaze darkened to the blue of the deepest ocean. He dropped her arm abruptly.

“You think I care what thatboythinks?”

“He’s not a boy, he’s a man.”

“A man?” Shade’s lip curled in contempt. “He’s barely old enough to grow hair on his face. Do you think him sweet? Kind? Are those the things you require in a lover? That Sylvan peasant could never satisfy you.”

“How the fuck would you know?”

His eyes flared.

“I have seen you aroused. I know how passionate you can be.”

“You’re a bastard.”

“Your appetites aside, we have a more pressing problem. Mr Torven’s presence means we have to be on our guard. He will undoubtedly be reporting back to the Vulcani.”

“Tor’s not a spy.”

“He works for the council.”

“So what? All he’ll tell them is that the Lord of Nurhan is an arrogant jerk.”

His jaw tightened, and the shadows around his face darkened.

“I am more concerned with the fact that he will be expecting the Lord of Nurhan and his beloved to share the same chambers.”

Raya narrowed her eyes.

“No way. I’m not sharing a room with you. We can say we’re waiting till we’re married or something.”

“They will not believe that of me,” he said dismissively. “I am Ifrit. Abstinence is not my way.”

“And sharing a room with you isn’t mine. Forget it. Anyway, I bet Leona wouldn’t like it.”

“On the contrary. She is very open-minded. There is more than enough room for all three of us.”

Raya spluttered.

“I hope that’s a joke.”

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