Page 51 of Fire & Ice

His power is fading.

Mine is just beginning.

He tries to flee, but I grab his frozen arm and jerk him back. "You're not going anywhere."

I slam my fist into his chest, ice piercing his heart. His eyes go wide with shock and pain.

"Tempest was never yours," I growl. "And now, neither is this world."

I twist my hand and he screams as the ice spreads through his body, freezing him from the inside out. Within moments, he is encased in a prison of frost, his final expression one of desperation and defeat.

Charlie Snowden will trouble us no more.

Tempest is safe.

I turn away from Charlie's frozen corpse and spot Tempest watching me from the edge of the balcony. Her eyes are wide, her expression unreadable.

Does she fear me now, knowing the depths of my power and the lengths I will go to possess her? Or does she understand that I did this for her—to protect her and claim what is mine by right?

"Beau." My name is a whisper on her lips as she takes a hesitant step toward me.

I open my arms to her in invitation, my heart pounding with anticipation. "Tempest."

She rushes into my embrace, and I crush her against me, breathing in her sweet scent. "You're safe now," I murmur, stroking her hair. "Charlie will never hurt you again."

"You killed him." There is no judgment in her tone, only awe.

"For you, I would kill a thousand Charlies." I tip her chin up so I can gaze into her eyes. "You are mine, Tempest, as I have always been yours. Not even death will keep us apart."

I lower my head and cover her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Her lips part beneath mine, inviting me in, and I plunge my tongue between them to taste her sweetness.

She is fire and ice, darkness and light. A dream I have chased across lifetimes to find.

And now, at last, she is mine.

Our lips cling as the air around us drops several more degrees. Ice crystals form on the ground, spreading outward in a glittering web as my powers intensify with desire.

Tempest presses closer, her warmth seeping into me, and a low growl rumbles in my throat. I want to devour her, body and soul, until there is no part of her I have not claimed.

Now I just have to get her back to our kingdom and tell the council what has transpired here in the north.

Chapter 48

Beau

The mist set us down at the entrance of the palace-blood-splattered and disheveled-my muscles tensing beneath Tempest's fingers as the gaze of every guard seemed to fasten upon us.

Tempest grabbed my forearm as she whispers waving a hand toward her stained dress, “Beau, I think we should change our clothes before we go to address your parents and the council. Besides, it would be best if we had Marcus with us. I don't think dismissing him from our daily duties was wise.”

I looked down at her with admiration before turning towards our rooms with a purposeful stride as I whispered back with a gentle squeeze to her hand, “Such a queen—wise, fierce, and perfectly correct.”

Marcus was there waiting for us, eyes widening in shock at the sight of our bedraggled state. His fangs descended and he growled low in his throat, "My prince, why did you not allow me and Prince Gabriel to go with you?"

I shook my head, squeezing Tempest's hand again, "It is a long story and one that I think we would only like to tell once. Tell my parents that they are needed along with all council members in attendance for an emergency debriefing, and that we need them to make haste. Return after you've delivered the message."

"It will be done," Marcus said bowing.

I ushered Tempest into our room, and she immediately went to our bathroom for a quick shower.

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