“He’s alive, isn’t he?” he retorted.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, because that’s kind.”
“Trust me. It is.”
“So you’re kind to me as well, then? Allowing a Halfling mutt to live in your prestigious presence?”
He grabbed me by the back of the neck and yanked me into him so hard that the air was expelled from my lungs in a whoosh of sound that made me dizzy.
“I’m not kind to you, Kayla,” he murmured, his mouth brushing mine as his opposite arm wrapped around my lower back. “I fucking worship you.”
My lips parted at the ferocity in his tone.
Which he took full advantage of by engaging me in a kiss that blew my mind almost as much as his claim did.
I was only vaguely aware of us ascending to Heaven, his power wrapping around me in a warm blanket of protection and adoration.
It left me winded and helpless to his assault, my tongue submitting to his as he possessed every inch of my mouth.
I felt owned.
Cherished.
Worshipped.
Just like he’d stated.
And I positively melted into him, my instinct to fight having fled beneath a wave of intense emotion.
I’m falling for him, I thought dizzily.I’m really, truly falling for him.
The realization sent a chill down my spine.
Before, I’d been a naïve little Halfling without enough world experience to recognize my role in Ezra’s game as a pawn.
Now I knew my place, and yet I was still succumbing to his desires. Playing right into his hand. Giving him my heart on a fucking gold platter.
I wanted to hate him for breaking through my barriers and abusing my heart in this way. I wanted to loathe him for his trickery.
But my soul wouldn’t allow it.
My spirit intertwined with his in a matrimonial bliss that overwhelmed all my instincts, demanding I worship him in kind.
If he betrayed me again, it would destroy me irrevocably.
Which was the last place I wanted to be.
I didn’t want to trust him or love him orcravehim.
I wanted to be free. I wanted him dead. I wanted to be the queen on the board, not a mere pawn.
Yet his mouth made me feel like I was so much more. His tongue whispered words of partnership and equality. An unspoken promise lingered between us, a vow never to harm me again.
But could I trust it?
Could I allow myself to believe in him?
The sound of metal hitting stone made me flinch. However, Ezra’s fingers were in my hair before I could even think about what that meant. He still had his hand around my nape, but his opposite palm was on the back of my head, holding me to him as he laid claim to my soul.
