I memorised every detail.The way firelight kissed his skin.The way his fingers toyed idly with the rim of his brass cup.
Theo and Tavrik sat close, their silent glances filled with unease.They saw the war waging inside me.
Dalkhan’s voice slid into my mind like velvet and fire.
“Has someone upset you?”
A tendril of his power touched my cheek—an unseen caress that made my skin tingle.
I shook my head, but his stare was relentless, piercing through every fragile wall I had left.
“I’ll burn the world for you, Elira.Every realm, every throne, every soul that dares to cause you pain.”
The words struck like a blade, lodging deep into my heart.I bit my cheek hard enough to taste blood.
“Come to me.”
I rose on unsteady legs, forcing myself to move toward him.Each lift of my foot felt like a betrayal in itself, a slow crawl toward a fate I had already sealed.His eyes darkened as I neared, hunger shimmering in their depths.
He drew in a deep breath, relishing my scent.A low, satisfied growl rumbled from his chest.
“Do you know what you do to me?”His knuckles grazed my cheek.“There is nothing in this world I want more than you.”
His admission sparked every nerve alight.
I just wanted to forget.Forget what I had to do.Forget the stone’s call.
I just wanted this.
One last time.
I reached out, tracing my fingers up the hard lines of his arm, feeling the shift of muscle beneath his skin.I leaned in, ghosting a breath over his ear.
“I can’t wait any longer.I’m craving you.”
His grip on the armrest tightened.
In a flash, his hand shot out, tangling in my hair and tilting my face toward his.His other arm wound around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
My eyes fluttered shut as his mouth found my neck, pressing kisses along my throat before moving lower.
“Don’t tease me, little flame.”He murmured against my skin “I should ruin you right here, right now.Make every single one of them watch as I claim you.”
A broken moan escaped me.
He groaned against me, his fingers tracing along my collarbone.“So wet for me.”
Fire blazed in his eyes.“Say it.”
I dissolved in his hands.“I need you.”
His smile was pure sin.“That’s my good girl.”
I pushed against his chest playfully, but he didn’t let go.
“Fuck it.”
Shadows swallowed us whole.
