Page 22 of A Story of Sinners

“This is ridiculous, Brandon. You don’t need to escort me to my room. There’s nowhere else for me to go.”

“That’s not true,” Brandon interjected. “That fae male is here. You know, the one you threw your position away for? Not that one could blame you.”

Dahlia snorted.

When I stepped out from the corner, Dahlia sensed my presence, even with her back turned. Her body froze as my scent slammed into her, and a little gasp spilled from her lips.

Brandon slammed into her from behind, unaware she’d halted.

My footsteps quickened now that my presence had been revealed, and by the time Dahlia managed to spin around, my hand was already on Brandon’s shoulder. He moved for his sword, but a small slip of power spilled from my hand, rendering him unconscious.

Brandon dropped to the floor between us, and Dahlia’s eyes lowered to the ground where her friend lay. She licked her lips, then lifted her lids. An electric charge shot through me as her green and gold irises met my silver, and a warm smile slipped over my face, despite my fury.

I couldn’t punish her, even if I wanted to, even though she deserved it. I’d forgive her for the most atrocious of actions, no matter what, because she was meant for me, and I was meant for her. I’d love her, no matter what.

My smile faltered as she took a step back and her eyes darted around, searching for an escape.

“Don’t, little crow. I’m warning you. Don’t run from me, because then I’ll be forced to chase you, and I can’t guarantee you’ll enjoy my actions when I capture you.”

Fae were known to enjoy a good chase, and I wasn’t above the primal urges my kind experienced. On top of my natural inclinations, a large part of me felt angry and bitter. If she chose to egg me on, it wouldn’t be pretty.

Her weight shifted to her back foot, and every muscle in my body coiled and tensed.

Then, she ran.

My vision narrowed to a tunnel, and a growl slipped from my throat as I traced her escape. My fists clenched as I tried my hardest to hold back the animalistic urge every fae was instilled with at birth—the need to chase and capture.

It was too late. My canines had already dropped, and blood filled my mouth; blood that reminded me so much of the claiming mark that needed to be reestablished, even deeper than before.

My body moved of its own volition. This time, I would bite harder, deeper. I would bite until my teeth met tendon and bone. She wouldn’t ever forget who she belonged to.

She was moving slower than usual, probably too pampered to recall how one was supposed to run from danger, too soft and pliable to maintain a steady pace. Easy prey primed for the taking.

A laugh, dark and crazed, spilled from deep within my chest when she tripped over her feet, barely catching her fall with her hands. I gripped her by the hips and lifted, pinning her between the wall and my body.

A growl tore from my chest. Finally. I finally had her in my grasp, and though I’d planned to let her off lightly, I was too far gone.

My fingers dug into the hollow of her cheeks, forcing her mouth open. I could feel my eyes darken as my tongue delved into her mouth. I groaned at the feel of her soft body against mine.

Her teeth cut into my tongue, and I drew back.

“I hate you,” she seethed, but the hazed look in her eyes said otherwise.

Two could play at that game. My tongue slipped past her lips, and her breathing grew rapid as she fought the forces telling her to kiss me back. Her scent, warm and sweet with a hint of lavender, filled my nostrils, making my head grow dizzy. I kissed her harder, and her tongue brushed slightly against mine.

I swallowed down her moan and pulled back to see desire in her eyes. It was there, but she pretended otherwise. It was pointless to fight this—we were predestined. The two of us becoming one was irrefutable, undeniable.

“You may hate me, little crow, but hate and love are very much intertwined. Despite your fight and the walls you put up, you forget one little thing…something that gives you away.” Her gaze was hazy and lost, and a question lay in her eyes, wonderingwhat on earthshe could have possibly forgotten. I leaned in close, pressing my mouth to her ear. “I can still smell how much you want me.”

Chapter10

Dahlia

Iresented this male with all my cold, dead heart for abandoning me and leaving me here to rot while he took his place at the throne of Faerie, but no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I still wanted him. I couldn’t deny him.

It was the way he smelled, the way he tasted, the deep tone of his voice, and that crazed look in his silver eyes that had me melting immediately, despite my best intentions.

My feelings had no basis, no history or acts of service to back them. Our passion for one another wasn’t something that could be slowly formed or familiar. It was like a lightning strike, quick and unexpected. Irresistible.

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