Page 43 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I tug him closer, making him stumble.

His chuckle is deep and a little raspy, and I feel it all over my body. The book drops to the floor, making me cringe thinking about it falling apart, but he recaptures my attention as he cups my face in both hands, deepening the kiss so that his tongue glides softly against mine, a dance of tongues and lips and smiles. I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer because I need him. I want to feel completely lost in him.

“Raea,” he says, bringing his hands up to mine and pulling them back. “I think you’ll want to read this.”

I nod, biting down on my lip. I listen to what he’s saying, but my eyes are on his lips.

He hesitates, then says, “Okay, fuck that, read later.” His lips crash back onto mine as he spins me, pinning me to the shelf behind me. I arch into him, needing friction when his hands wrap around my thighs, lifting me.

“My parents want me to Bond in six weeks,” I say, gasping for air. I need to breathe, but I need his lips on me more.

He smiles as his lips move across my jaw. His hand tilts my chin, allowing him access to my neck. “Mmm…yes. And then you’ll be mine.”

I drop my head back as his mouth moves over sensitive spots, dragging his teeth along the way, sending shivers down my spine. “I am yours.”

“Semantics, love.”

I’m wearing a low-cut gown with no corset. It’s just fabric separating my breasts from his mouth. He notices and groans appreciatively, sending a fresh wave of heat south that has me squeezing my thighs together. His lips trail kisses along the hem of my dress, using one hand to tug it lower. The swell of my breast is exposed to him when we hear voices.

He stiffens and groans before standing straight. He sets me down and adjusts my gown as the door opens. He bends down to get the book while I hide my flushed face.

“Hey,” Ciara says with a lifted brow as she glances between us both, stepping in with Kellan behind her. “We’ve been looking for you. Your father said you might be up here.”

She crosses the room as Ryker stands, winking at me with a devilish smirk that brings out his dimple. Gods, he will be the death of me.

I push away all the feelings of lust and turn toward her. “Sorry. I just got here, actually. Ryker found something,” I say, adjusting my gown and hair.

Ciara looks between us again and hides the smile forming on her lips. “Okay. What did you find?”

Kellan steps closer, reaching for me. It feels weird, and I see the sudden tick in Ryker’s jaw as he tries to ignore Kellan.

I give Kellan a stiff hug before we all take a seat at the table. Ryker next to me and Kellan across from me, Ciara next to him. I clear my throat and focus on the pages Ryker is flipping through. He lands on a page with a drawing of golden eyes.

I pull the book closer. “What does it say? You’re better at Elvisiah.”

Ryker nods.

I have some burning questions for Astor, the god of wisdom and knowledge, right about now.

“It says that once the Aethermark Bond is acknowledged, there is a short window before the Bond needs to be completed. If ignored, both start experiencing physical pain.” He gives me a knowing look that makes my blood sing.

“In this instance, since the book is about the prophecy, one can assume this next part is for you. The empress, which is you—” His eyes twinkle with amusement. “—will be consumed by creation’s first magic as her soul cries out for her mate.”

I slip my hand over Ryker’s knee, needing to touch him, feel him, remind myself he’s really here.

“We aren't just suffering from distance, Raea. We're starving. The Aethermark is a living thing, and without the ritual, it will eventually start feeding on us to stay alive the longer we are apart. We don't have six weeks.”

The way he is looking at me makes me shift in my seat.

“Will she die?” Kellan asks, concern lacing his voice.

“No,” Ryker responds. “She will just spend more and more time in pain until the Bond is complete. It says she must go through the whole trial, ensuring the runes are completed.” His voice tapers off as he glances at me again. “Raea, the mating Bond trials we were told about…they can’t be completed until the lifeforce is restored.” He frowns. “We have to find a way to get to Auralan.”

“But how?”

He rises and moves toward my father’s study to retrieve something.

“What are you looking for?” Ciara asks, getting up to help him.