Page 209 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

Then—

Rian jerks back. “Wait.”

NO!

“No,” I moan, wrapping my arm around his neck to bring him back to me. “Not again.”

Rian presses a firm palm against my chest, holding me at bay. “We shouldn’t.”

I want to scream.

“Yes, we should.” I’m too riddled with lust to be embarrassed by my boldness.

I grab his wrist and try to yank it out of the way, but he’s too strong. He jerks his head once.

“Not like this.” His handsome features twist even as his rapidly darkening eyes swirl with desire. “Not with Lover’s Temptation in your system.”

My lips part.

Is he worried I’m unable to consent?

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

My power burned away the last remnants of the elixir’s lusty haze ages ago.

I release his wrist and slide my hand up to cup the side of his face.

I smile gently. “That’s not⁠—”

A loud siren blares, cutting off my words.

I wince and jerk back, slamming my hands over my ears.

Rian’s attention snaps toward the window across the corridor. Out toward the sea.

Where dozens of fires now burn along the top of Virendrell’s tall sea wall.

“Fuck,” he hisses as shadows ripple over his shoulders, and his fangs descend. “They’re here.”

39

I track the line of red that rolls down Rian’s chin where his fangs drew blood.

“Who’s here?” I glance at the flames glowing brightly in the dark night. “Jaxon?”

But why would he set fire to Virendrell’s wall?

“The Sea Fae,” Rian snarls.

His fangs recede back into his gums.

He sets me back on my feet, grabs my hand, and then pulls me along as he stomps down the corridor.

I trip on the front of my gown, clawing at the fabric, gripping it in my fist as I stumble behind him. “I don’t understand. Isn’t that a good thing? Weren’t you all trying to find them anyway?”

His steps falter, but he is quick to pick them back up. “Who told you that?”

Um…