Page 55 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

"We're a little busy." He wedges himself in the door so they can't see beyond it.

"What in the gods name are you doing here?" Caius bellows, wrenching Az by his shirt collar.

"We were ... just talking," he responds, his voice cool, eyes blazing with fury.

Irid slides her body around Caius's shoulder, her eyes blazing with hungry intensity, like a wild animal ready to pounce. She inhales deeply, and I can see the understanding in her eyes—she knows what we were doing.

"I'll say," she purrs, prowling towards me. "I want a taste, too."

Just before she reaches me, Caius blocks her path with an outstretched arm and says in a low voice filled with warning. "This one is mine."

She freezes, her mouth twisting into a frustrated pout before she turns to look at him. "You're a spoilsport. She smells so delicious."

Caius's icy gaze strikes me like a lightning bolt, and my heart jolts in my chest. He looks at me with an intensity that is unmistakable, his voice deep and dark. "Morte."

My breath catches in my throat as my name rolls off his lips like thick velvet.

"You made me a promise," he croons, each step closer to me as if stalking his prey.

"What promise?" Az challenges, his arms crossed in defiance.

Caius whips around with a snarl, his countenance that of a ravenous wolf. "If she gives anyone her virginity while she’s here, it's mine."

My heart thunders, my breathing erratic. Az stares at me, mouth gaping and brows furrowed.

Caius steps closer, his gaze hot and blazing as he lifts a hand to my cheek. My skin prickles with electricity, desire pounding through my veins like an unstoppable river. His thumb grazes my bottom lip, and I know I'm moments away from surrendering. My skin pebbles at the feel of his fingertips brushing against my cheek.

Until I remember—he's Aggonid's mate. My head jerks back, pulling away with effort, and I level him with a fierce glare. "No! You forget my other stipulation," I snap, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth.

He steps closer but doesn't try to touch me again. His gaze is tender now, and it's doing more damage than his hungry one.

"And what's that?"

"You could take my virginity or watch." I stand tall, forcing as much bravado into my words as I can.

Irid barks a laugh. "Gods, I love this girl." With a grace that belies her size, she saunters over to my bed, ominously making it her own. Her gaze is heated, like a blazing fire, as if she could devour me whole with a mere glance. "I'll rock your world, phoenix." A smirk curves her lips into a devilish grin. "Just say the word."

"I am not watching my sister have sex." Caius whirls on her.

Irid rolls her eyes and shrugs, unfazed by his incredulity. "You've done worse." She flops onto her back, tucking her hands behind her head for a pillow since my bed lacks one.

"Like what?" He runs a hand through his dark blue hair.

"Oh, I don't know." She sits up, leveling him with a look. "Letting your mate order me to kill mine?"

The room grows suddenly still, the air thick with tension. I swallow hard. Caius stares at her, his face stretched tight with anger and grief.

"That was different," he growls, his fists clenched at his sides.

Irid snorts and shakes her head, though a flicker of agony crosses her features as she turns her attention to the ceiling. A wave of grief radiates from her, pummeling me so hard, it steals the breath from my lungs.

I can't speak. Can't do anything but blink away tears as I try to wrangle my feelings.

She's the first to break the silence. "You did something different to this place."

I raise a brow. "Uh, it's all metal now?" It's not quite Bedlam Penitentiary, but it'll keep the monsters out.

"No, there's something else. Like a feeling. Something I've never felt before." Her eyes narrow, her voice a rich whisper, as though if she speaks too loud, someone will overhear us. "What did you do?"

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