With a curse, his fingers dug into me before ripping away, slamming his palms against the wall. His hips held me in place as his gaze locked on mine. “Nienna, we can’t.”
“Don’t stop.” I snarled, scoring my nails down his neck.
He shuddered beneath me, his eyes fluttering closed. “Elohios, help me.”
A powerful grin lifted my lips as I leaned in, kissing the red welts I’d left on his skin. “Praying for aid?” I whispered in his ear, nipping at it.
“For sense. It has abandoned me.” His voice cracked, tremors running through his body, veins standing out in his neck as he struggled for control.
I refused to admit that my sanity already fled, left behind in that council room. My fingers slipped down the chains of his mantle, moving toward his trousers.
He grabbed my wrist, pinning it against the wall. “There’s a point of no return, Nienna,” he warned, his eyes flashing.
“Then I’ll find it.” I promised, pulling him back into the kiss.
He slammed into me, his mouth claiming with a force that stole my breath. His hips ground against me, sending a moan spilling from my lips. His tongue slid over mine in slow, deliberate strokes, and I twisted against him, matching his rhythm.
A sharp rap on the door broke the moment, pulling us apart.
I gasped for air, the heat of him still pulsing beneath my skin. My body hummed with need, aching for him, more desperate than I’d ever been. I wanted him—needed him more than breath itself.
His gaze bore into me, not with regret, but with a silent promise—this wasn’t over. His teeth clenched, breaths rough and uneven. “I can’t move you to my hall.”
Desperation tightened its hold as I searched his eyes, willing him to retract the words. The prospect of returning to my quarters was unbearable.
“I wouldn’t stay away,” he said. “I’d ruin you.”
“Then ruin me,” I whispered, clutching at him as he lowered my legs, his hands firm on my waist. “Ruin me, Kallias.”
His eyes closed as he drew in a long breath, a tremor passing through him. When he looked at me again, his gaze was heavy with something darker. I smiled, a quiet challenge.
He stepped back. “I just might.”
I blushed, stealing a glance at his trousers, then bit my lip, smoothing my skirts in a vain effort to compose myself.
He adjusted his belt, and ran a hand through his hair, the slight tug he gave it made my insides melt. As he patted down his chains, he glanced up at me before a pained groan escaped him. He closed the distance between us, his thumb skimming the collar of my dress. “It’s torn.”
A wicked grin spread over my face. I traced the claw marks I’d left on his neck, feeling the muscle in his jaw flutter at my touch. He swallowed hard, pulling away, his gaze flickering with restraint.
“I can make up something,” I assured him.
His brows dipped in a disapproving frown, and he shook his head, as if my attempt to lie would be offensive. Then he offered his arm and nodded toward the door. “I’ll see you to your quarters for the night.”
“Not my rooms,” I reminded him, taking the crook of his elbow.
“No. The guest suite in the southern hall, near Fyrn. Just for tonight.” He reassured, opening the door to the small room.
In the corridor, the light from a thousand mirrored lanterns stung my eyes. I flinched and lowered my head, trying to shield myself from its sharp glare.
“Oh, there he is.”
My heart plunged at the sound of Tallon’s voice. I peered up, recoiling at the sight. Dark bruises marred the skin beneath his eye, and his nose was swollen, bruised, and angry. Had he crossed paths with an assassin, too?
“Tallon,” Kallias rumbled, his tone as controlled as ever.
A wave of guilt surged within me—nearly caught with the king, and worse, by his son.
By my betrothed.
