Page 107 of Only Flames Remain

I swallowed hard as I met his darkened gaze. The threads of my magic were fading, but still visible as they danced around his iris with iridescent tendrils.

He nodded once, releasing me. The moment his hand dropped to his side I surged for the door. This time, I didn’t leave it ajar in my wake.

I was a tempest, and I needed grounding before I unleashed emotions and magic I hadn’t the slightest control over. I needed to temper this fury before I did something I regretted.

I slammed the door shut and charged down the corridor.

And this time…I didn’t look back.

CHAPTER 31

Sorin

The old gods certainly took their time when they made Aveline. I felt her power surge through me like a tide, though I had not the slightest idea how she had accomplished it. I had never felt another’s magic like that before. Like I was falling into the deep. I was drowning in her. Her presence consumed me. When her mouth came crashing down on mine, I knew with certainty that we were fated.

That she was meant to be mine.

The taste of her was divine. I craved her mouth the moment it left mine. How many times had I imagined it? Her body pressed against mine. Her arms wrapped around me as she pulled me closer.

I needed to speak with Ren.

My mind was churning with a million thoughts at once. I pulled a shirt on, not deigning to stop and button it up. I strode down the corridor and tore down the curved staircase barefoot, shards of glass from the broken window still embedded in my feet.

I didn’t care. Aveline was my mate. She was my fated. She was made for me by the fates and the old gods themselves. I needed to protect her at all costs. King Mavros and Queen Odessa needed to know. I wouldn’t take Princess Morwenna as my wife only to keep my mate as a plaything, as I knew Mavros would suggest. Aveline was more important than that. More important than any alliance to Gothryn.

This superseded everything else.

And nobody would threaten what was mine.

With Aveline by my side, I would be stronger than ever. I could sense her magic swirling inside of me still—and I had no explanation for it.

Did she feel my magic as I felt hers?

Mating bonds weren’t commonplace. I didn’t know a single Vireth or Veytari myself who had one. My own father was never bonded. I had a million questions and no idea where to turn for the answers.

So naturally, I turned to Rensford.

I banged on his chamber door, now realizing that it was still dawn and he was likely just rising for the day. He nudged the door open only enough to peer out.

“I need to speak with you,” I said, hand against the door, ready to press it open.

“I was wondering where you disappeared to last night. But…now isn’t really the best time—” His words were cut off as I burst inside, only to skid to a halt past the threshold, eyes wide in surprise.

Rensford’s bed was anything but empty.

“I’m sorry I—” I turned to him, unable to suppress the grin that spread across my face.

Two females and one male lay across the duvet in various stages of undress, the coverlet crumpled beneath them. Rensford pulled his robe closed around him and cleared his throat.

“I’ll need a moment.”

The three courtesans rose and exited the room, the male stopping to whisper something into Rensford’s ear before disappearing through the doorway.

“Ren, I didn’t realize…” My words trailed off as the door shut behind them.

He shook his head. “It’s of no matter to me. We were finishing up, anyway.”

A crude retort bubbled to my lips, but I bit it back. I almost threw myself down on the bed but thought better of it, instead finding a place in the chair by the cold fireplace.