A new endearment. One I wished to hear again and again and again. And yet, a whisper of denial bubbled up.Not here. Not now. Not like this.
What was wrong with here, now, and like this? I’d longed for this moment, and I wouldn’t give it up.
I brushed the tip of my nose against his and with a throaty voice, beseeched him. “Yes, please, and thank you.”
“Then more you shall have.” He nipped my bottom lip and soothed it with a slow drag of his teeth, more reverent, more possessive. “I’ll give you everything, but I’ll demand nothing less in return.”
“Then take it.” I toyed with the ends of his hair. “I’m yours. I’ve always been yours.”
Satisfaction glinted in his eyes. “I’m the man for you, not Domino. Say it.”
He thought I might be falling for the librarian? “You’re the man for me, Cyrus Dolion. Only you.”
With a husky groan, he clasped my hips, lifted me to his lap, and kissed me again. Everything else fell away as I straddled him, pressing closer. Closer still. He breathed my name. I mewled his.
What began as a slow, awed exploration soon unraveled into a frenzied devouring. His hands roamed, kneading my waist, my backside, my thighs before threading into my hair to tilt my head just so. The kiss deepened, quickened, but I couldn’t get close enough. Couldn’t touch enough. His heat called to me, demanding skin to skin. I fumbled at his shirt, eager for the barricade to be gone.
“Well, of course you’re here, doing her.”
The dry tone struck my ears, and I jolted. Wrenching from Cyrus, I leaped to my feet.
High Princess Lolli stood in the open doorway, clicking a blunt-tipped nail against a bar.Tap, tap, tap.
I panted while Cyrus remained seated on the bed, calm as could be. She wore a black tank top, camo pants, and combat boots. A sleek bun highlighted sharp, lovely features. Annoyance oozed from her pores.
My cheeks blazed, realization slapping me hard. Public make-outs weren’t my style, yet I’d done just that. How many of my classmates had heard us?
Although, the ward wasn’t exactly silent. Several trainees were moaning and groaning, creating a chorus. Unless they’d been released from their chains, they were pleasuring themselves. Others whispered together. Some snored.
“We need to go,” the princess stated. “Something’s happening in Theirland, and I know you sense it too. Vyle says he’ll brief us as soon as we arrive.”
They sensed things that were happening in Astan’s world? And what was happening there?
Domino’s voice whispered once again.A man able to contain the full brunt of Astan’s power has been born.
Astan’s horns will straighten. When they reach maximum height, they will release a blast across both realms.
I went cold. Were the gods closer to being freed? Had Astan’s horns fully straightened?
Cyrus worked his jaw before slowly unfolding to his feet. A mere handful of inches separated us, ensuring we exchanged breaths. Vibrating with banked ferocity, he lowered his chin and pinned me with his stare. “I would die for you.” He canted his head slightly to peer at Lolli while still speaking to me. “I would kill for you too.”
She blanched but tried to mask it by blowing him a kiss with bite. “You’re whipped. I get it. Can we go now?”
Maintaining his languid pace, he leaned down and nuzzled my cheek with his own. “I’ll see you on the other side, Pink.” He strode off with the high princess.
Suddenly alone, I felt as though I’d tumbled down a hill, slamming into rocks. The man who’d threatened the other woman wasn’t the Cyrus I knew and adored. And yet he was the exact same, merely amplified. But at what cost?
The door closed behind him, but my guards didn’t return. As I struggled to order my thoughts, I sensed another presence. Familiar. “Show yourself,” I rasped, not sure what emotion he elicited right now.
A robe-clad Domino stepped from the corner shadows. “Astan already influences him.”
Ice crystalized in my veins. “Then I need to be a stronger influence,notavoid him.” I would remind Cyrus what we were fighting for.Whowe were fighting for.
The librarian didn’t try to hide his disappointment in me. “I can’t and won’t try to stop you.”
“Good.” Smart, even. So why was my chest clenching?
“What Iwilldo is offer advice.” He moved to my side, his bigger body eclipsing mine. Today he smelled sweet verging on heady, like the flowers that grew on top of the Rock. I didn’t like it. Not one bit. “Listen, and your heart will tell you things your mind hasn’t yet grasped.”
