Kingdom of Fallen Ash (The Order #1)

by Katerina St. Clair

“I have never seen someone look so tormented in the fleeting moments between when you look at him and turn away. It’s a look that has haunted my mind for days. It's the only reason I haven’t reported any of this,”

“A look of someone who knows too much and has lost more than you know,”

“What hope? Mark, I’m nobody. I can’t save anyone,”

“Says the girl, breaking every single one of her people's rules, all for a boy from a group she was raised to hate.”

“You were made in this sector, Andrew, yet you act like that brand no longer marks your calloused hands.”

“Have you touched me before, Fallan?” I question,

“I have your body mapped out completely, but I've never allowed myself to explore it. You're more intoxicating than a bottle of scotch. I can’t escape how you make me feel and I want to drown in you,”

“Forest, you have to stop,” He mutters,

“If I allow myself what I want, he will know I had you. One moment of weakness is all it would take,”

“One moment, and I wouldn’t stop. I’d fulfill every fanta...

“Don’t push me away,” ...

“Besides, there are other things you can do that don't leave ...

“Tell me to stop,”...

“I can't,” I ...

“Or how bloodthirsty his Little Dove really is,”

“Does my heart still beat?” Fallan questions down the bond, his voice low and solemn. I nod, not needing to say anything else. “Then you will never be alone.”

“I liked it better on you,” Xavier admits, motioning behind me. “It was never his to have.”

Hmm??

“Why do you want me, Xavier?” I question,

“Because you're a fire, love,” He says, my heart racing, “a fire that I plan on kindling,” he finishes, my body reacting for me.

“You will lead them all from the darkness.”

“Or we all die fighting to keep the darkness away from you,”

“I can't keep listening to your thoughts…come to me, Little Dove.” Fallan’s voice urges.

“I would have ripped out their throats before they could have even thought of harming you,” He mutters, his thumb moving to trail along my lower lip.

“No one will ever hurt you again as long as I’m around.”

“Your smile has haunted me for longer than you know. Drawing it adds to the pain of knowing none of those smiles were meant for me. But when I look at these pictures, sometimes I pretend it’s me you’re smiling at.”

“You can't bring them all down, Little Dove.

Nothing is worth watching you die because I was not strong enough to stay away,”

“One kiss, and I can never...

One kiss, and I am yours until the day my...

“Don’t push me away,...

“I have to, or else we can’t even have this…and worse, I end up losing you,”

“I will keep you safe,” He whispers,

“Looks like your blonde friend told Fallan again that he can’t have something he wants,” Valerie says,

“I dream of your existence, Forest,” His voice is filled with longing. “You were my morning, noon, and night, and it all was ripped away in an instant. Now I just want to fucking tear your clothes off in front of him and show him that you will never be his.”

“You don’t hate me?”

“Hate you?” He questions, his head shaking. “Forest, I’m in love...

“You have no idea how tortured I’ve been by the thought of your touch. How tormented I’ve been knowing that I couldn’t have you like I want when I want.”

“You don’t get to touch me until I’ve gotten time to explore you,” he whispers,

“Look at me.” He commands, my eyes snapping up to his.

“Perfect,” He whispers, bringing his fingers up to meet my warm center, the pleasure from his touch enough to make me implode.

I bite back a moan as he reaches the aching bundle of nerves there.

“Let me hear it all,” He begs, as his fingers run gentle ci...

Dragging his lips down to my mark, he kisses the skin, lingering on its roughness.

“There's beauty in this,” He whispers. “You're the one who taught me that,” He finishes,

“You’re all I have left,” He whispers,

“Then don’t let go,” I whisper,

“I’m the same man you took to the Unfortunate sector with you last night. Can’t you see that? I know some part of you feels safe with me-”

“Found. Found safety, you fucking government mutt.” I seethe,

“Mutt?” He scoffs. “I’m the fucking ringleader love,” He says, his mouth curling...

“This putrid sector’s Commander? Yes,” He says, my stomach sinking at his words.

I knew homie was being shady!!