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“There are three things I love in this world. Reading, a challenge, and proving others wrong.”
“Firstly, you may call me Kane. King Ravenwood is a little formal from someone I’ve made blush as many times as you.”
I felt Kane’s gaze on me and peered over at him. His shadowed eyes traveled over my bare toes, up my exposed calves and thighs, roamed my silk-covered stomach and breasts, and landed on my face. He looked pained. “You all right over there?” He shook his head. “Wicked little bird.” I tried to conceal my smile.
He cleared his throat. “All right, before you kill me. One. Two. Three.”
was furious with the man. So, so furious. But I also wanted to lick his neck. It was complicated.
“I love to listen to you explain medicinal practices,” he purred. “And I’d love to listen to you fall off a cliff.”
“There is only true courage in facing what frightens you. What you call fear is indeed power, and you can wield it for good.”
“Bleeding Stones, Kane. This is ridiculous.” “You really do have a mouth like a sailor.” He laughed, leaning against the door. “Don’t think about my mouth.” His eyes turned from playful to deadly in a heartbeat. “How I wish I could stop, bird.”
“It’s only fair. I’ve stared at you. Most of the time, I can’t seem to look at anything else.”
“You’re very good at that.” “Good at what?” “Relentless positivity.” Humor twitched at my lips. “That doesn’t sound like a good thing.” “There is nothing more valuable in a world as dark as ours.”
“Not as the king I knew you hated. But as a man you had come to like.” He shook his head and sighed. “And a man I had come to like.”
“Fuck.” He sighed, running a hand down his tense face. “I want to eradicate him for getting to touch you, let alone kiss you. It’s making me physically sick.” He rested his face in his hand. “Since when am I such a jealous schoolboy?”
“But if I recall, I’m ‘not exactly your type’?” His face twisted, dark brows pulling in. “I’m not sure what ever compelled me to say that.” “I think I had insulted you.” “Ah, one of the many attractive things you do so well.”
It was a room I had never been in, shrouded in navy curtains and filled with leather furniture. A handful of black candles with curled wicks burned in the dim light. Something smelled familiar, like home, but I couldn’t place it. Lilies in stone vases peppered the space. Where had those come from? The delicate white flowers played against the soft candlelight. Beautiful.
Kane blushed. He is so cute.
“Don’t leave.” I was pathetic. It was all right. I had made peace with it in death. “You aren’t dead, Arwen.” Of course I was. He was reading my mind, and I was pants-less. “I’m not reading your mind; you’re talking to me.
“I’m stronger than you think.” “No, bird. You’re stronger than any of us. It is only you who doesn’t think so.”
Kane clenched his jaw, a flicker of shame in his eyes. “It was me. I’m Lazarus’s son, Arwen.” But I couldn’t hear him over the roaring in my ears. “Arwen?” Kane said, studying me. Kane was Fae?
weak, how afraid. How ridiculous it was to have fallen for a lethal, breathtaking Fae king. “Will I see you again?” I said. I felt like I might cry. Kane looked like he could hear my heart splitting open. “I hope so, bird.”
was wrong that day, to say you thought you were worth less than your brother. You made a heroic choice the night you came here. It took tremendous courage. I have been king a long time, and rarely, if ever, do I see that even from my greatest warriors.” My eyes found his through a cloud of tears. “You showed extraordinary bravery when you had no hope it would save you. Whether you know it or not, Arwen, there is a wild strength inside of you. You don’t need Ryder, or Dagan, or me, or anyone else to take care of you. Remember that. You are enough.”
Griffin stood. “It is no laughing matter. He cannot have a single weakness when he goes up against Lazarus, and yet, you are his. Nothing could be more perilous for Evendell.”
I tried to hide my smile. I loved imagining Kane jealous. It was twisted, but his barely contained fury sent a thrill through me. Silly king—as if there could be anyone else. “Have you ever thought about it?” He raised a brow. “Of you with another man? I’d rather gouge my eyes out.” I laughed out loud. “No, of what it would be like. Between us . . .” “Ah, of course.” His voice had dropped to a low growl. It was the most profoundly erotic sound I’d ever heard.
“Ever since that day we rode back from the woods together, I have thought of little else. Each night I rub myself raw thinking of your long legs, perfect breasts, and gorgeous laugh.” He lifted one single strand of my hair and rubbed it between his fingers. “I imagine you on top of me and come apart faster than I care to admit.”
“I know you said I’m not yours. But . . . I want to be.” I swallowed hard. “I want to be yours, Kane.”
thought”—his voice cracked, and my heart stumbled over a beat—“I’d lost you. I couldn’t eat. Sleep. Move.” A sad smile tugged at his lips. “Shave.” He considered me with something akin to awe. “I did not want to live in a world without you in it.”
“There.” I gestured to Kane. “That’s got to be Mari.” He quirked a brow at me. “The redhead’s a witch?” Ugh. Now was not the time for this conversation. “Yes, and Briar Creighton’s amulet isn’t in your study anymore. Also, we almost killed your pet strix.” The shock on Kane’s face would have brought me great delight at any other time. “You what?” He shook his head. “Acorn? He’d never hurt anyone.”
“If you harm so much as one single hair on her head,” Kane snarled from the sand, “I will reduce you to fucking ash. I spared your life once. I will not do it again.”
All sleek black lines and glistening scales—it seemed ridiculous I hadn’t known all along. Kane in his dragon form was the same: a mind-bendingly beautiful, terrifying creature of wicked power.
“And yet, even knowing all of that. That day we raced”—a sorrowful smile crossed his face—“I was so enchanted by you. I had never met anyone like you. The night you were attacked”—I faced him, unable to look away any longer—“I knew I couldn’t go through with it. Not even for the good of all of Evendell. I brought you and your family here to live the rest of your lives in safety.”
“Do you hear me?” Unable to hold himself back a minute longer, Kane finally reached a frantic hand toward me. “I was willing to sacrifice the entire world to keep you alive!”
I could do this, for Evendell. For my family. For Mari. For all the innocent Fae and mortals alike. I could find this blade. Fight this battle alongside the man who had thoroughly shattered my heart. I could be strong. It was a world I had to save, even if I wouldn’t live to see it.
Kane
The only time I care about a mans opinion
Safe. And the feeling brewing in my chest at such a sight— Oh, Gods. I was fucked.
