Spinning, drunk on the mingling of our essences, the tranquillity of the land deepened, wrapping us in its calm.
‘What’s it like, being a king?’ I asked, wondering whether it was at all what he bargained for.
River didn’t answer immediately. His flame flickered as if considering the question for him. ‘In the spirit of my ever-gracious approach,’ he said at last, voice edged with amusement, ‘I’ll allow you to specify: do you mean merely a king, or the Fogoyan king?’
‘The Fogoyan King.’
‘It’s challenging. I love and hate it,’ he said before his face turned into a vicious scowl when he stepped back and pushed me behind him. The sudden absence of his fire left a dull ache. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Just meeting our new princess, no?’ The man looked carved from shadow itself, dangerous and deliberate. Hair dark as obsidian, he matched my king in height as he approached us. ‘Pleased to meet you, Ava.’
He stilled. Oh no. He smelt it.
‘Is this some twisted fantasy? Letting other men smell her like this?’ His glare cut through the air, sharp and predatory.
River stepped forward, every muscle coiled, guarding me as if his presence alone could ward the man off. ‘It’s invite-only. Get lost.’
The man laughed, leaning closer so I could feel the heat of his intent. ‘See you soon, princess.’
A chill ran down my spine. Why did that sound like a threat?
Even after he’d gone, the air still held his scent, smoke and iron, and the warning with it.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Avari
As the king walked me back up the stairs to my chambers, I couldn’t help but notice the shift in his mood. The light, playful River was gone; in his place persisted a gravity that unsettled me.
‘Emily said she’d leave it by your bed,’ he murmured, his voice low.
The spray. I had almost forgotten about it, my mind still burdened by the shadowy figure who had so clearly soured my king’s temper.
‘Use it, please.’
‘No one looked at me on the way back. Maybe it’s already faded?’ I argued, hoping it was true.
Stepping closer, he boxed me into the alcove by my door. His breath skimmed the hollow of my throat.
‘You smell of sunshine, and life, and everything in between,’ he whispered, and my breath caught under the weight of his gaze. ‘Unless someone’s sharing your bed tonight, you should useit.’
For a fleeting moment, I wished it were not the pheromones, but myself, that drew him so irresistibly.
‘Not planning that.' I forced my vocal cords to work.
'Good.' River’s voice darkened, low and edged with something feral. ‘I don’t think I would let you.’
‘And what is that suppose—’
He moved like a beast unleashed, mouth crashing onto mine in rough, searing strokes of passion I could not deny. I didn’t want to. I had dreamt of these lips for weeks, and the reality was sweeter and wilder than any fantasy my mind had conjured.
The unrelenting king deepened the kiss, his fingers tangling in the hair at the back of my head as he held me firmly against him. I found myself wanting to inch even closer.
My knees weakened under the onslaught; bliss threatened to overwhelm me—until, just as suddenly, he tore himself away.
Lingering close, his breath still on my lips, he whispered words I almost didn’t catch.
A low chuckle escaped him. ‘I need to go. You’re driving me mad, witch. Get inside, and lock the door.’
