Page 99 of Kiss of Fire

She closed the gap between them and jumped gracefully into his arms. Surprised, he caught her and held her so that her face was level with his.

“I like you too,” she told him. And she kissed him.

She felt his mouth curve into a smile beneath hers and then he was kissing her back, claiming her lips for his own, making her senses swirl and lighting a fire beneath her skin.

When he broke off, they were both breathless.

“Just to be clear,” he said gruffly, “does this mean you will stay?”

She brushed a lock of his hair from his forehead.

“Yes, my Lord,” she whispered.

With an inarticulate sound he kissed her again, his mouth roaming hers with a possessiveness she found exhilarating. Her pulse quickened as he trailed his mouth along her jaw to her ear. She tilted her head back so he could explore her throat and he growled his approval.

“Apologies my Lord, my Lady.” Pasha’s voice broke in nervously, stopping them in their tracks. “The Vulcani are ready for you. Shall I, er, inform them you will be delayed?”

“I dearly wish we could. Tell them we are on our way.” Shade’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at Raya. “We will continue this later, my beautiful fae. Are you ready?”

He set her down on her feet and she smoothed her dress.

“Definitely,” she told him. And it was true. She had never in her entire life felt this strong, this powerful. “Let’s get this party started.”

He held out his arm. And they went to face the Vulcani.

Thirty Six

There were more of them in the banqueting hall than she had expected. At least three dozen Vulcani were gathered, resplendent in their finery. They hushed as Raya and Shade entered the room

Raya stopped, feeling the weight of their stares. Her ears were suddenly itching like crazy. Shade squeezed her hand.

“Courage,” he murmured.

Loris stepped forward, his amber gaze cool and assessing.

“Are you ready, child?”

“Yes.” Her voice was husky.

“You should know the consequences of failing here today. You will be expelled from Nush’aldaam and prohibited from ever returning.”

Forced to leave Shade? The blood drained from her face.

“You do not have the power to do that,” Shade said sharply.

“On the contrary. If she fails to convince us she is Aelah’s daughter we will naturally align with Aelfric. And Aelfricdoeshave power over fae, even half-human ones. So be sure you wish to continue, Lord Shadeed. You may lose more than our support.”

Black smoke started to curl from Shade’s body.

“That is outrageous. You have no right to impose arbitrary conditions after I invited you here in good faith. If Aelah could hear you, Loris, she would be disappointed.”

“But Aelah is not here. And until we have a new leader,Imake the decisions.”

Loris wouldn’t yield an inch. Shadows boiled off Shade and Raya noticed the Vulcani crowd shift restlessly. She put a hand on Shade’s arm.

“It’s okay. Really. I’ll be fine.”

He turned to face her, putting himself between her and Loris.

---