“That is enough wasted energy,” Faelin sighed from the sideline.
“Hey, I was just about to win!” Jaden barked.
“You were not winning,” I scoffed and turned to walk away with the victory of getting the last hit.
“Wait, we’re not done!”
“Yeah,you’redone.” Ashley hissed as she dusted off the dirt that had ‘accidentally’ covered her and Nate during ourbattle. “It’s my turn.”
CHAPTER
17
It was close to midnight already and when I looked up again, Malakai was gone.
My chest tightened. I scanned the tree line until I saw the faint shadow of his figure, leaving through the mist, a flicker of crimson embracing him, deeper in the dark. He’d wandered far enough that the warmth of the fire no longer touched him.
I rose quietly, brushing ash from my palms. The others didn’t notice, Ashley was arguing with Nate again, Lionel and Eve still talking with low voices. Jaden had joined Caleb and Faelin for some small talk, bonding about being the new recruits perhaps. I took the opportunity to slip away.
The air grew colder the farther I went. Malakai stood among the twisted trunks, his back to me, shoulders taut.
“Malakai,” I called softly.
He didn’t move. His voice came low, but slightly amused. “Kitten.”
I stepped closer. “Are you okay? Where are you going?”
“Just to get some air…” He shrugged. “Every time I breathe, I can taste the fire on your skin. Sweet and alive. It calls to the part of me that shouldn’t exist.”
“Then let me help you,” I said. My voice was steadier than my heart felt. “You don’t have to do this alone, Malakai.”
He tilted his head, a low sound slipping from him, half-groan, half-growl. “Sweetie… you don’t understand what you’re offering.”
“Yes, I do.” I stopped an arm’s length away. “We’ve done it before. You didn’t hurt me, youwon’t.”
“It’s funny, when I say don’t push, you shove,” he chuckled low. “You trust me that much?”
“I do.”
For a long moment he didn’t move. Then, slowly, he turned, his glowing eyes settling on me. A low growl rumbled inside of him as he reached for me, planting a possessive hand on my hip.
“You didn’t seem worried before, what changed?” I asked, remaining calm and steady.
“The more I take, the more I seem to crave you.” His voice lowered, his free hand brushing back my hair. “When you defend me, I want to be worthy of it. When you call my name, it feels like coming home. You’re busy looking at the world, trying your best to fix it but… Sweetie,youare my world, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
A trembling breath escaped me, and my hands shot to the collar of his shirt gripping firmly. I heaved myself up and planted my lips against his.
Malakai’s hand found its way to the back of my neck, not letting me break away for air as he deepened the kiss. It wasn’t claiming in the same way as it had been before, it felt like he was savoring the moment, every stroke, taste and rising pulse.
His fingers dug into my side, forcing me to shift until he had me pinned against a tree. He pressed against me and I gasped into his mouth. A sharp scraping sound came frombeside my head, and he pulled his head back, panting low. My eyes slid to the side, as I saw his fingers clawing into the tree.
“Stop torturing yourself,” I said, stroking his cheek. He leaned into it, as if my touch was the only thing grounding him, keeping his inner beast in check.
“You really shouldn’t look at me like that,” he murmured, voice rough silk. “It’s an invitation you don’t even know you’re giving.”
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” I said.
That earned a smirk, sharp and amused. “Do you, kitten? Because the last time I tasted you, you could barely even say my name without shaking.”
