The Umbra King (Vincula Realm, #1)

by Jamie Applegate Hunter

He flipped them over with incredible strength, and she straddled his chest. “Take a seat, Miss Raven,” he drawled as he licked his lips. She lifted herself, moved forward to hover above his face, and hesitated. “I’ll crush you.” “I want you to break me,” he said and grabbed her hips to pull her down.

when she stepped through the door, she screamed like a banshee. There stood Caius in his low-slung pajama bottoms, fifty-seven abs, and a pastry in his mouth.

His anger was barely leashed when he said, “Who did this to you?” He visually inspected the bruises on her limbs, touching each one with his golden gaze.

“The next time someone lays a finger on you, their death belongs to me.”

Aeternums were born with grey-scale sight, and when they met their destined Royal, they saw them in color. Once they touched, the Aeternum’s grey-scale sight lifted, confirming the bond.

“You have an assistant now?” Sam chuckled. “Since when do you need an assistant?” “Since I need to protect her,” he replied. “She was attacked once, and I won’t risk it happening again.” “If you’d stop being a prick to her, she might end up liking you,” Sam said as he pulled an entire banana out of his pocket. “How did you fit a banana in your pants?” “My pants already carry something much larger.” Sam grinned as he peeled the fruit and took a large bite.

“I saw you, Caius.” His lips parted. “Say it again.” Did he suddenly lose his hearing? “What?” “My name,” he clarified. “Say it again. It will be good practice for when you scream it later.”

“I’ll miss you enough for both of us,” she whispered in his ear, and he nodded into her shoulder. “I may not remember you,” he whispered back. “But when I see your face or hear your name, my soul will know you’re good.”

“I would set this entire realm ablaze to keep you safe, and if you think I’m bluffing, you haven’t been paying attention.”

“It was inevitable. Your soul calls to mine and mine to yours. We couldn’t fight this if we tried.”

“Most men don’t want their women dressed scandalously.” “Most men want to control women.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “If you want to walk through the realm naked, you will do so, and I will admire you the entire way.”