Page 70 of Embers of Ruin

“You said I was yours,” I challenge.

“Because you are.”

“You can’t simply claim people, Thorin. That’s not how life works.”

“That is how I work, Lyra.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course it is. You’re overly arrogant, do you know that?”

His expression softens. “I think you misunderstand me.”

That stops me. What is there to misunderstand?

Thorin steps closer, but there’s nothing commanding about the movement this time. His hand rises slowly, giving me every opportunity to move away, before his fingers catch a loose strand of hair near my cheek.

“I do not think you belong to me because I am your king.”

He tucks the strand behind my ear and my breath catches.

“I think you belong with me because every time you leave a room, I find myself waiting for you to return.”

For once, I have absolutely nothing to say.

His thumb brushes once across my cheek. “And considering how exhausting I find you, that has become particularly inconvenient.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. I don’t want to laugh at things he says. I don’t want to feel warmth stir where his hands touch—but I do. I bite my lip searching for something, anything, to say.

There it is again—that smile. It’s small this time, but real. The bastard likes seeing me flustered. Goddess divine. What is he doing to me?

His smile fades as his eyes drop to my mouth, and the air between us shifts. I know I should step away, but I don’t. His shadows curl around us then, blocking the corridor from view.

His hand comes up behind my neck, fingers splaying as they slide into my hair. He massages my scalp slowly and my neck arches on its own, a moan slipping past my lips before I can stop it. His eyes darken as he steps closer to me. We’re so close I can feel his breath on mine as he runs his fingers through my hair. His gaze never breaks from mine, burning into me with an intensity that sends a shiver through my body.

His shadows caress me now, sliding up and down my body, and a tremor moves through me as I lean into them. They’re like air until I move—then they have form, as if they could hold me in place. He presses his nose to the nape of my neck, firm but gentle, inhaling my scent. The feel of his strong hands pinching my hardening nipples sends heat racing to my core as warmth pools in my lace undergarment. His hands move to the slit in my nightgown as he trails his fingers up my thigh, grabbing my waist with one hand as he keeps the other placed firmly around my neck. Lower. I want his hands to go lower so badly that the ache from my core is nearly killing me.

“You are always lying to yourself, Lyra. You say you are not mine, but I can feel how badly you want me.”

Gods, I hate him. Or I don’t. I honestly don’t know anymore—my mind, body, and magic are all in open disagreement tonight.

“There, please,” I beg, panting from the intensity of his touch. My body is practically vibrating with anticipation. His hand skims my center and I let out a sharp exhale. My eyes roll back as he cups my face, his mouth hovering over mine.

“Look. At. Me.”

I do and every sensible thought slips quietly from my mind. I want him so badly, and he seems to read the desire on my face because he dips his hand into my lace undergarment, cupping my sex. I almost cry out but his shadows cover my mouth as they continue their gentle caress against my skin. Thorin stares into my eyes, asking a question that I answer with a nod.

His finger glides through my slick-coated folds and I clench around him as he finds that spot, gasping at the sensation. He hooks his finger and I see stars—real stars, bursting behind my irises. His fingers work slowly, expertly, until the pressure mounting in my belly becomes almost unbearable.

He slips his hand out of my lace and holds his glistening finger between our faces. The scent of my arousal fills the air. He sniffs and lets out a low, primal growl, a sound that almost drives me to complete madness.

“As I said, you are a liar,” he whispers, and I track every movement as he places the slick finger into his mouth, groaning with satisfaction. His eyes flash pure silver, and a helpless moan escapes me as the space between us hums with magic.

Goddess divine, I won’t survive the night.

My eyes close as he brings the finger to my mouth. I don’t know what the fuck my body is doing but I open my mouth, letting him in as I suck my arousal off of his finger. A satisfied rumble sounds low in his throat as his hands drop to my waist, holding me in place.

“Lyra.” My name leaves his lips like a warning, but the look in his eyes tells me he’s warning himself more than me.

I clench my thighs tight, feeling his length hardening as he presses into me, sending shockwaves throughout my entire body. I let my head roll to the side, baring my neck as he kisses it, tender bites trailing in his wake.