Rule of the Aurora King (Artefacts of Ouranos, #2)

by Nisha J. Tuli

It’s addictive. The way she hates me. The way she burns with that fire that glows so white hot, I ache whenever she looks at me.

Of course, she was beautiful. She didn’t need this male to validate that. He made it sound like he was doing her a favor by noticing.

There is magic in her. Of that, I’m sure. And mine is trying to get at it.

“I…wanted to see that you’d all settled in okay,” I say like the fool I am. Very smooth, Nadir.

“You’ll be fine. The ice hounds will keep the things that go bump in the night away.” “What if the thing that goes bump in the night is sitting on the horse with me?”

Why is she the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen? And it’s not just a physical attraction. Though yes, I want to touch her so badly my hands ache, but I’ve never met anyone who was so fucking sure of herself.

She smells like every fantasy I’ve ever had. Like the roots growing in the earth and the hearts of blooming roses. Like lightning and smoke and pure untamed flames.

“Of course. I must’ve been mistaken,” he says. “You nearly ripped my hand off, but that must have been for some totally unrelated reason.”

“I don’t know what that bastard did to you, but I’m going to help you get your crown, Heart Queen, and I’m going to make him pay. For all of it.”

She’d never really understood children. They made her vaguely uncomfortable, like animals who might bite, or worse, cry when they got spooked.

There’s a disconcerting sense that I’ve found something I’ve lost. Like I’ve come home.

I raise an eyebrow at that, but don’t comment as I obey his request. “Good girl,” he says and then gives me a surprised look, as though he hadn’t meant to say that.

I try not to acknowledge the warmth of his hand and the sick little thrill I get when he squeezes it. That thing we did with our magic earlier has thrown me off, making me react in unwelcome ways. I hate this asshole.

My actual name and I’ve never loved the sound of it more than I do at this moment.

“Nadir,” I whisper back, wanting to feel his name on my tongue, too. To feel those clipped parts I’ve wondered about ever since I heard it. Why did his parents choose to mark him with a word that means rock bottom?

He’s holding so still, it’s like he’s made of glass, and I’m so hot I want to explode into a million shards.

“I feel it every time you’re in the room. You make me so fucking hard I can’t think straight. I’ve jerked off in the shower every day, thinking about you. Thinking about how much you hate me.”

There is not one believable shred in the tone of my voice, and he smiles. It’s not a warm smile. It’s slow and seductive and hooks between my legs with a stubbornness I’m trying to resist. No, it’s definitely not warm, because it practically lights me on fire.

“Oh, to have the confidence of a male born to privilege.”

She says it in a way that makes it sound like a wish she knows will never be granted.

I want her like I want air and the magic that flows in my veins.

“I’ll take you however you’ll have me, Inmate.” “Stop calling me that,” I counter. “Absolutely not.” “I hate you,” I say, meaning it, too. “I know,” he replies.

“Look around you. You’re amongst the Fae and no one would care. If you asked me, I’d spread you out in the middle of the room and feast on you for everyone to see. The only reason I’m glad you won’t is because I want you all to myself.”

“You are so fucking sexy in this dress. I just about passed out when you walked into the room.” “Who are you?” I ask, looking up at him, completely overwhelmed. “I am your worst nightmare, Inmate.

When he’s taken them off, he stuffs them into his jacket pocket and graces me with a villainous smile I know I’ll see every time I close my eyes from now until the day I die.

“I very much do, but you wanted to take it slowly and I’m trying to earn your trust.” I cock my head. “By giving me orgasms?”

“I just had my tongue inside you, Inmate. Didn’t you know that Fae are very territorial?”

“Are you my plaything, too, then?” I press a hand to his chest and slide it down, savoring the feel of his body under his shirt. “I’m whatever you want me to be.”

“I think I’ll have him killed.” Nadir takes a casual sip of his drink, and I choke on mine. “Why?” “I don’t like the way he was looking at you. He was watching your ass as you walked away.” I blow out a breath, puffing a lock of hair out of my eyes. “Is this what you’re going to be like now?” “This is how I always was. I’m just not hiding it anymore.”

“You’re going to ruin me, too, Inmate,” he says softly, making me realize I just said at least part of that out loud. “Lucky for you, we’ll go down in the blaze together.”

“My father was furious. Blamed my mother for entrapping him and tricking him into having sex with her.” Nadir snorts. “As if his cock just accidentally fell into her.”

He holds still and seems to be simultaneously trying not to breathe while fighting for air like he’s drowning.

As much as I hate him, I also can’t stop wanting to touch him. It’s become a fundamental need as important as water and air.

“I’m going to die if I can’t touch you. Literally fucking die in this chair.”

She’s almost as stunning in clothes as she is out of them. Black leather pants and a form-fitted top offer a tantalizing hint of what’s underneath. This is almost better. Now that I know what’s there, she’s like a present waiting to be unwrapped. By me. And only me.

She glares at me, fierce defiance in her expression. This is when she’s her most radiant. When I’d gladly fall to my knees and destroy entire continents if she asked. Even if she didn’t.

“Friends are only a weakness. Surely you know that by now.” “Spoken like someone who’s never had a genuine one in his life.”

The royal family wears black. Nadir’s companions wear black. But I am not his conquest. I am not his to claim. I’m not part of their royal line. I have my own family. And I am my own fucking castle.

“Were you always this smooth with the women?” He looked over his shoulder and winked. “It never mattered before, and now it never will again.”

Again, I had to use my body to get what I want, and I’m fucking sick of it.

She’s mine. I don’t know why I believe it with such conviction, but deep in my bones, I know she belongs to me. And I’ll die before anyone else touches her.

“I don’t know how to be safe,” I whisper. “I’ve never been safe.”

Your sister is right, you are brave and strong and have come through fire, and I have a feeling you’ll still have to face a much bigger inferno before this is done. I want to help you. I am in awe of your courage and resilience.”

No matter what kind of mother she was, she wouldn’t be the sort that prevented them from having fun. All she’d ever been told was “no, that isn’t fitting behavior for a princess.” As if princesses couldn’t be children, too.

I won’t let him hurt you again.” “You can’t promise that.” “I can and I do,” he growls. “You’re mine, Lor. You might not believe it yet, but you are, and I’m not going to let that monster touch you ever again.”

“I thought you said this was done,” he replies, his intense gaze searing into me. “Fuck what I said.” “Oh, thank gods.” Then he kisses me again.

“We were in a hurry,” she snaps, and I grin. “I love it when you’re angry with me.”

I can’t read what’s in her expression, but she has to understand what I’m beginning to suspect. Lor didn’t just drop into my life by chance. None of this is a coincidence. It’s destiny. We were made for each other. What we have goes deeper than lust. Deeper than love.

I vow to give her the space she needs. I’ve waited this long for her to come into my life, and I’ll wait for her forever if that’s what it takes.

Lor is mine. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. I just need to be patient. Still, I rub at my chest, wondering how I’m not bleeding out on the floor thanks to the gaping wound in my heart.