Theron stands closer than I’d expected, his eyes locked onto us as hungrily as his hand is locked onto his cock. “Don’t stop now,” he huffs at us irritably, the sounds of his grunting growing louder and more insistent, his arm muscles flexing as he continues to pleasure himself. “Unless you find the girl has grown boring for you, Prince of Slait?”
Chapter 10
Kai
Kai goes stone still, anger flaring. The kind of anger that even I know isn’t compatible with the whole staying alive plan. His shadows snap outward, lashing like whips through the air. One coils around Theron’s wrist, yanking it away from his cock with a force that nearly takes the swollen appendage along with it.
Theron’s eyes widen in shock and pain, and he lets out a strangled cry, which has half a dozen sentries on the beach drawing weapons. “Have you lost your mind?” he demands once he can breathe again.
“Get away from her.” It’s not a request. It’s the kind of command that rearranges air.
Theron raises his free hand in questioning outrage while his other wrist remains trapped in Kai's shadow. "If you didn't want an audience, Prince Kai, perhaps you shouldn't have performed for one. Or are you so beholden with your human you are blind to what's around you?” He laughs at his own words and the others follow the example.
Kai’s shadow tightens around Theron’s wrist, which is starting to turn a shade of blue for the lack of circulation.
“Kai,” I pointedly glance at the makeshift tourniquet, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Or care.
“See something you like better than your princeling?" Theron grins. “If you want to know what a true fae warrior feels like, you need but ask. Or maybe you just did?” He raises a brow.
My face flushes with heat.
Kai’s shoulders pull back, each sculpted glistening muscle on a dripping deadly display. He looks like a god engineered by a species that lost interest in making anything gentle or merciful. Or peaceful.
Theron’s hand is darker now, and his face paler. A few more seconds and I fear the sentries will wade into the water, clothes and all.
“Let him go,” I tell Kai. “He isn’t worth it.”
Kai’s jaw tightens visibly and he doesn’t release the death glare he holds on Theron, but the shadow uncoils from the prince’s flesh.
Theron rubs circulation back into his hand.
"The lady is my betrothed, not your midday amusement," Kai says with more restraint than I dare hope to expect. His shadows pull back to wrap around my waist, a cold possessive caress against my skin.
"A betrothal you conveniently remembered only when it served your purpose. Forgive me if I find the timing suspicious.”
"Your suspicion is irrelevant. Your distance, however, is not."
“This is a public bathing area in my camp. If I wish to... appreciate the entertainment you've so generously provided, that's my prerogative. Plus, the girl clearly enjoys being watched. I can scent the arousal clinging to her thighs.” He turns his head, addressing the whole damn bathing area. “If she weren't enjoying our attention, she wouldn't have climaxed so... enthusiastically. Two times, was it?" The last is directed to thebathing attendant whose face goes as pale as the soap he holds. “Well, how many was it? Speak up.”
“Three, your highness.” The male stands as still as a terrified rabbit.
Theron snaps his fingers. “Three, that’s right.”
The water around us seems to drop several degrees as Kai's wrath radiates in waves, whatever self-control he’d wrangled earlier dissipating. He takes a step toward Theron, the two royal immortals squaring off like territorial predators. I swear I can actually smell the violence leaking into the air.
As if we don’t have enough problems.
“Get the fuck away from us.” Kai growls, a low, dangerous rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. Kai in his normal state is terrifying. Kai on the verge or murder is… well worse.
I brace myself, imagine I’m Logan, and run my hand along Kai’s wet blond strands. “Prince Theron is right.”
Kai twists toward me, incredulous, his nostrils still flaring with rage. Even Theron looks shocked.
“What are you doing?” Kai demands in a hissed whisper.
I have no idea. But I do know that if I don’t dosomething,this whole bathing area—hell, the whole bloody encampment—will be leveled to rubble in a matter of heartbeats.
With no time to think, I quickly drop to my knees, the cold water of the stream and small stones on the bottom biting into my skin as I position myself between Kai’s legs. The sharp contrast of our situation—my vulnerability and his fierce, protective rage—sends a rush of adrenaline through my veins. I force my gaze up to his, locking onto those glacial blue eyes that simmer with barely contained fury. No, there is no point in kidding myself. There is nothing contained about it.
