Empire of Flame and Thorns (Flame and Thorns, #1)

by Marion Blackwood

I make a disappointed noise. “Oh, you’re into guys? That’s such a shame.” One of the soldiers chokes on his breath. The captain’s cheeks flush bright red, and he splutters out, “No, that’s not what I⁠—” “Because you have such a handsome face,” I continue, interrupting him. “Well, I…” He seems to be unsure of how to react because he simply trails off and stares at me as if I’ve grown a second head.

This made me giggle 🤭

We fae seem to be the only ones who have normal eyes with two colors. Not one in each eye. Instead, both colors are mixed like swirls of paint in both eyes, offering lots of combinations.

Because this is Draven Ryat. The Shadow of Death. Leader of the Black Dragon Clan. Commander of the Dread Legion and second only to the Empress and Emperor of the Iceheart Dynasty themselves.

Draven leans down until his lips almost brush against mine. “Watch your mouth.” My heart flips and then pounds against my ribs. But it’s not out of fear. Tension crackles around us like lightning in the air. “And do as I say.” He slides his hand down to rest around my throat instead.

I already know this is gonna be spiiiiiiicyyyy

Discreetly, I raise my leg a little and brace my foot against the wall behind me. “Are you following me?” His eyes gleam again. “Do you need to be followed?”

“You’re not afraid of me,” he says at last. It’s more of a statement than a question, but I reply anyway. “No.” “Why not?” “Because fear is a weapon. It gives other people power over you without them even having to do anything.” A wicked little smile ghosts across my lips.

“Practice for what?” I reply. A smirk curves his lips. “Obeying my commands without question.”

“You always act so soft-spoken around everyone else. Who knew that you had such a sharp tongue underneath all that fake submissiveness?”

“On the floor, of course,” he says. I gape at him. “You can’t be serious.” “Where else would you sleep?” “In the bed.” A sly smile curls his lips, and he raises his eyebrows at me. “You want to share my bed?”

This man 🤭

When I have gathered my wits again, I’m met with the most infuriating sight yet. Draven’s huge black wings are spread out to his sides, blocking the entire rest of the bed.

😂😂😂😂

“I told you to stay on the floor,” he begins, his voice now dripping with threats. “And you climbed into my bed anyway. Try that again, and I swear to God, I will handcuff you to it instead.”

Ahhhhhhhh WHAT DO YOU MEAN HANDCUFF?? 😂🤭

Flexing his hand, he levels a very impressive scowl on me. “I meant handcuff you to the leg of the bed. So that you will be forced to stay on the floor.” A very untimely grin dances over my lips. “Sure you did.” He narrows his eyes at me. “Keep talking, and I’ll get those handcuffs right now.”

“So if I were to slide my hand up your thigh and brush my knuckles against your cunt right now, I wouldn’t find it soaking wet?”

I take a step back instead. He narrows his eyes at me. “Do not make me come over there and get you.”

This man has me kicking my feet 🥵

Oh fuck, he tastes like wind and rain and lightning. Like fire and sin. And my undoing.

He kisses me like he’s fighting a war. Like he’s trying to make me surrender my whole soul to him. And Goddess above, when he grips my hair and dominates my mouth like this, I’m almost tempted to do it.

“That’s what you get for leaving me unsatisfied last night.” Then I wink and, at long last, escape right out the still unlocked door.

I lie there in his arms, feeling his comforting warmth envelop me, and stare at the black wing around us until I’m sure that he has drifted off to sleep. Then, I finally breathe the words that I was too proud to say earlier. “Thank you,” I whisper softly into the silent night. “And thank you for saving me from the wolfbear.” His chest rises and falls against my back as he continues sleeping. But then, right when I’m about to close my eyes as well, he replies. And his voice is the gentlest I’ve ever heard. “You’re welcome, little rebel.”

This whole scene is just so great 🥹

“Let’s just say that there are only two reasons to touch a dragon shifter’s wings. To inflict pain. Or pleasure.” My pulse thrums underneath his hand as he flexes his fingers around my throat. He angles his head slightly, and now his breath caresses the shell of my ear as he speaks. “So unless you plan to torture me or fuck me, can I suggest that you stop tracing your fingers over my wings like that.”

“Or I’m going to push you up against that rock wall and fuck you like you’re mine.”

WOAAAH

“I’m not fucking kidding, Selena.” He keeps advancing while I keep retreating. “You have ten seconds to drop your gaze, or I swear to God, I’m going to fuck you until your legs give out and the only moans coming out of your mouth are my name. And then I’m going to keep fucking you until you will never be able to even think about touching another man because all you can think about is my hands on your body and all you can feel is my cock inside you.”

This man is CRAZY!

The most incredible moans spill from his lips like dark honey.

“So you are mine to play with, mine to torment, mine to edge until you’re begging me to fuck you.”

Jesus Christ 😂🤭

“Eyes on me,” Draven orders.

“I wasn’t trying to sabotage you, little rebel. I was trying to save you. From this.”

What the fucccckkkkkk

“Welcome to your new existence. As our life slaves.”