“Perhaps I want to get burned,” I said, meeting his eyes, my fingers diving beneath his tunic, seeking warm skin. Blessed Light, I craved to feel it against mine again.
A firm grasp closed around my brazen hand, halting my explorations. A condescending smile replaced Belekoroz’s emotionless expression. “You are quite the wanton little thing, aren’t you?” he mocked, a cruel light in his eyes. “What would people say if they knew their perfect little queen likes to be taken by the dark? What would my brother say if I told him—”
“Don’t.” My free hand found his full lips, silencing his words with a touch.
Were the glimpses of vulnerability I had noticed merely a ruse to draw me in? They had compelled me to confess my desire for him, only to be mocked. Curse it. If he could manipulate me with such ease, he might understand me better than I understood myself.
Much to my surprise, he heeded my warning, obediently silent as I pressed my thumb against his lower lip, savoring the unexpected softness. Caution? Another move in this exhilarating game between us? Or was the hunter ensnared with the hare? Too bad I was no harmless prey.
“Aramaz would be shocked,” I said, my composed tone not betraying my racing thoughts. A smile tugged at my lips. Time to see how far I could push him. I had been in his mind, had seen every conflicted emotion he harbored about me. He was not indifferent. I was certain of it. “Though not as shocked as if he found out his brother wanted to kill me.”
“Are you threatening me?”
The violent eruption of dark power around me should have worried me. Instead, my heartbeat raced as his shadows enveloped us, stealing all the light, a mirror to their master’s incensed look.
“I would not dare.” Oh, but I did dare, my body flush against his as I moved closer, invading his space. My powers followed, pinpricks of light slicing through the darkness with the precision of a blade. My smile was ice coated in honey. “I am just providing an incentive. A reminder that it is in both of our interests to keep certain things—”
“A secret?” He cut me off with a laugh. The rich warmth of it filled the space between us, his eyes sparkling with genuine amusement, his anger evaporated. “Oh, you devious little thing. I love having secrets with you.” Sharp teeth flashed in a grin, hovering between menacing and enticing, full of unspoken threats and dark promises. “In fact, I would not be opposed to creating a few more.”
With a flash of power, he twirled me around in a macabre imitation of a dance, pinning me against the wooden wall, shadowy tendrils binding my wrists above me. I could have called in my magic to free myself. Nothing was further from my mind. Instead, I waited in divine eagerness for his next move, the thrill of being at his mercy sending an overwhelming wave of desire through me.
“I could be your dark little secret, Baradaz.”
It would have been easier to resist if Belekoroz had stayed aloof. But he looked as overcome as I felt, a soft sigh escaping him as he pressed his body against mine, burying his face in the crook of my neck. The world shrank to the narrow space between us. The caress of his lips against the sensitive spot below my ear nearly undid me, my head falling back as shivers wracked my body. His scent, icy darkness with a hint of spice, filled my nose as I instinctually rose to feel him.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”He had switched to mind-speech, whether by design or accident, I didn’t know. The paths between our thoughts opened too easily, his need for me flooding my senses. Not that I could deny my own hunger for more.“How you tasted, how you looked, how you sounded when you came around my—”
A subtle shift in the world’s fabric warned me a moment before the door to the armory wrenched open. The sudden intrusion pulled me back to reality.
“You once said you could show me a thing or two, Belekoroz.” My voice was pleasant as I reached for my powers, freeing myself and shifting a few inconspicuous feet away. “In training,” I clarified, seeing his confusion. He hadn’t realized yet who had joined us. I didn’t need to fake the mischievous smile that lifted my lips. “This would be an excellent opportunity.” I waved dismissively at the dagger he held. “You’ll need a bigger weapon than this, though.”
Belekoroz didn’t answer immediately. He watched Aramaz and the rest of our brethren step through the door, a satisfying flush on his defined cheekbones, his breath still quickened.
“You’re certain you want that?”he sent to me.“I assure you, I won’t hold back.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”I reached for the staff M’tar had crafted for me, its dual blades glinting in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Tanez, in leather armor like mine, greeted me with a nod, her green eyes curious as she glanced at Belekoroz. I kept my expression innocent.
“I know.”Belekoroz’s mind-voice was rough, but he kept his shields impenetrable now, not allowing me to decipher his emotions.“It is one of the things I like most about you.”
“One of the things?”I threw back, watching as he set down the dagger and tested the weight of a broadsword I wouldn’t have attempted to lift.
“Baradaz, you’re already here.”
Distracted by his brother, I gave Aramaz an absentminded smile at his greeting. The king wore armor M’tar had made, silvery metal scales highlighting his broad shoulders, his long, golden hair tied at his nape.
“Brother!” My betrothed’s bright smile upon seeing Belekoroz was painful to behold. I didn’t need access to Belekoroz’s thoughts to sense his resigned unease as the king clapped his shoulder in exuberant joy. “How wonderful that you’re joining us today!” Aramaz moved to me next, sliding an arm around my waist, his smile as warm as his embrace. “Should we all choose a weapon and train together?”
He picked up a sword similar to his brother’s. As the rest of our brethren chose their weapons, the three of us left the crowded armory. We were nearly complete today, with Enlial and Ashur staying closerto Lyrheim as long as the threat of the Kritak persisted. Only M’tar was occupied in his forge.
“You want to go through a few forms to warm up?” Aramaz asked as we stepped onto the trampled grass next to the armory where we trained. The Hall of Earth was at the edge of Lyrheim, away from any danger of damaging buildings or hurting someone during training.
“Really, my love. You are capable of miracles. I don’t recall Belekoroz ever willingly joining us before.”The king’s mind-touch, the sharp glint of sunshine on water, contrasted starkly with his brother’s dark, seductive presence. His genuine happiness ignited a flicker of guilt inside me. I buried it, careful not to project my own feelings. I refused to be ashamed. Aramaz’s uncomplicated delight only deepened my resolve not to darken it with unnecessary truths. I was confident I could handle Belekoroz on my own.
“No need,” I said aloud, raising my voice and giving the Lord of Darkness, who hovered at the end of the field as if contemplating an escape, a challenging look. “Belekoroz is training with me today.”
He threw an incredulous glance my way as I advanced, but summoned his armor. Tendrils of Darkness and Air swirled around him, glossy black scales creeping up to envelop his chest and arms.
“You are the most reckless, devious being I have ever encountered.”His voice in my mind carried a mix of irritation and amusement.
