Page 154 of Black Sea

“You’re right, Father,” I said solemnly. “I won’t be by your side.” I fixed him in my steely, almost menacing gaze. “I will be leading the army.”

I left him there in dismay, walking back inside without a backward glance.

I moved quickly through the corridors until I reached my wing, then went to the first floor to change into the tunic and trousers I always wore under the armor. Then I would gather the soldiers and prepare to ride toward the Kingdom of Men.

With or without my father’s approval. With or without him and Araton.

But when I opened my chambers door, I did not step into the sitting room that came before the bedroom.

I stood in a vast, three-aisled hall that was completely black from floor to ceiling, with no windows and faintly illuminated by candles fixed on enormous onyx chandeliers.

I gasped in fear, glancing around confusedly. What on earth had just happened? Where was I?

Then my full attention was drawn toward the figure standing before the scary raised throne at the back of the hall.

85

Mornon

I noticed her presence immediately. It was like a buzzing that grew and grew and grew until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. It was a call I couldn’t resist.

But.

But.

It was not possible that I sensed her here.

Slowly, I turned around.

Nauriel’s bright appearance sharply contrasted with the dark surroundings, nearly hurting my eyes. Her shocked stare darted over my black blouse, tucked into leather pants, with a deep, pointed neckline revealing my hairy chest. For a moment, desire flickered across her face, but it was quickly replaced by fear as she met my gaze.

“How did you get here?” I asked, and though my voice was barely more than a hiss, it echoed through the room like a threatening thunderclap.

“I . . .” The elf took a step back. She glanced over her shoulder, her face twisting in confusion at the intimidating entrance doors. “I don’t know.”

That’s when my attention was drawn to the Crystal, hanging from her neck. A crystal that should have shone like a star, but instead looked like a simple, dull, insignificant jewel.

Because it wasn’t really here.

Nauriel was in my fucking mind.

In the blink of an eye, I was in front of her and grabbed her by the throat, slamming her so hard against the door that she burst into a hoarse cry. “How the fuck did you get in?”

She stared at me in confusion. “Wha . . .” she attempted to say as she tried to pull my hand away. “What?”

I tightened my grip, effortlessly lifting her off the floor until she was level with me. So that I could bring my lips closer to hers and make my breath the one she inhaled, not the oxygen she desperately struggled to breathe in. “ I am the one who has access to your mind,” I growled. “ I am the one who controls it. You cannot be in mine.”

“Get . . .” Nauriel punched the crease of my elbow, then pressed her knees and feet against my torso, pelvis, and legs to push me away. “Get off me!”

She slapped her hand on my face and scratched from my forehead to my cheek before I grabbed her wrist and tore her nails from my skin. As my magic healed the wounds, I watched the vermilion coat on the tip of her nails out of the corner of my eye, and I couldn’t hold back the sound that vibrated in my chest from the sudden craving to clean them one by one with my tongue.

I hated how easily my desire for this damn elf flared up without me being able to reject it. How easily lust took over me, stripping away my control over my actions, my emotions.

How easily it made me vulnerable.

Fuming with myself and the Spirits and Nauriel over the turmoil raging in my soul, I pulled my mate away from the door and slammed her against it again with such force that the wood creaked.

“Was it that Calien bitch?” I hissed. “Did she make you crawl in?”