Page 22 of King’s Kismet

Once it was gone, I waited a beat to see what would happen.

Better the reaction affected me versus the last of a species.

When nothing burned or exploded or killed me, I took the deepest of breaths, relaxing my body as the magic collected around me.

Pete’s hand disappeared from my shoulder, his footsteps retreating farther and farther away.

Power pulsed around me, vibrating against my skin, itchy and energetic. It needed release, needed to run rampant, to bounce around the valley in chaotic motion.

So I let it go.

A scream tore from my lips, scratching along my throat as my back bowed. I opened my eyes, blinking through the tears to see the red sky above, fluffy gray clouds floating through the sun’s rays.

And then I was in Pete’s arms, staring at the giant’s features as my eyes dried.

“Are they hurt?” I rasped, tasting the hint of blood that coated my tongue. “Did I—”

“They are unconscious, but not hurt, Lo. See for yourself what freedom looks like to my people.”

I rolled my head, feeling exhausted as I searched for the pedmars.

Only there were none.

The valley floor was covered with giants.

Naked giants, but they were whole once more… As they should have been all along.

“Someone should call Lilith,” I mumbled, trying to smile. “We’re going to need a fuck load of clothes.”

Pete’s booming chuckle echoed in my ears as the peaceful darkness swallowed me up, harboring the joy of my good deed.

I needed to leave before they awoke, but I was too drained to pry open my eyes, my body too weak to disappear.

My last words were something only meant for Pete, for the pedmar who’d seen all my flaws and still loved me unconditionally… And something I’d never repeat.

“I think I found my limit.”

Novak’s Ambition

My guys had planned an amazing group date, though Palmer and Novak stayed home to work. They missed a ton of fun, but I wasn’t complaining.

I’d take my time with them in whatever combination I could get.

Vaughn opened the front door, letting Briggs and me inside as York and Stone parked the SUV. Our conversation died off as a slapping sound reached our ears.

I half wondered if my mage and vampire were up to no good… That was a fantasy I would gladly walk in on.

My wolf didn’t share my feelings, but I was betting my fae wouldn’t mind.

The sound slowed, and I giggled when Novak sent me a mental image of what he was doing.

“What the fuck?” Briggs growled as we rounded the corner into the living room.

My vampire grimaced, though it wasn’t from embarrassment. “I want to blow a hole through the wall.”

“What? What is it?” Stone asked, hurrying through the front door. “Gods, Novak. What are you doing?”

“The vampire in this book came inside his lover, and it was so powerful it blew them apart,” he explained, letting go of his dick to make hand gestures. “He hits a stud in the wall. She slams into the sheetrock…”