His features soften as sadness washes over them. “That’s where you and I differ. Nothing will deter you from doing what you know is right for your kingdom. And I will do anything foryou. No matter the cost.” He brushes the backs of his knuckles along the side of my face. “She thinks you’re the weaker in our bond, but it’s me. It’s always been me. You would move mountains for the betterment of Lucent, and I would spend a lifetime aimlessly collecting the stars for you.”
I clench my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut, but nothing can hold back my tears. “You are so fucking stupid, Kyron.” I step forward and shove him. He takes the blow with a step back. Again, I slam my palms into his chest and let my thoughts tumble from my mouth. “You went behind my back and sold your soul to a kingdom you despised. That’s not what I wanted! Yes, I wanted to rescue my father, but you were not a price I was willing to pay.”
Kyron’s spine meets the wall, pinning him between me and it.
“I wanted you,” I yell, snatching the crown from his head and chucking it to the floor. “More than anything, I wanted you, Kyron LeFur. And you took that from me. You stabbed me in the heart and left me to bleed out alone. I hate you for that.”
He grabs both my wrists in one hand and walks forward, forcing me to step back. “Do you for one second think it didn’t tear me to pieces to let you go?” We slide into a small alcove on the other side of the hall. My shoulders collide with the wall, and Kyron holds my hands above my head. He pulls the crown from my head, drops it to the floor, and leans in so we are nose to nose. “I did what I thought was right. I’d do it again to see you sitting next to your father! I understand it’s fucked up, and you can hate me, but I did what I believed would bring happiness to the two people I love most in the five kingdoms.”
“Don’t say?—”
“Don’t tell me I don’t love you. Don’t you fucking do it, Raelle!” His chest heaves against mine as we stare at each other.
A familiar heat sizzles between us, and we simmer in it, letting it bring our anger to a boil. Pinned to the wall by his body, I shift against him and the fabric of my dress slides away from my leg, leaving it exposed through the slit running up the side. He wedges his thigh between mine, the leather of his pants pressed to the thin lace covering my throbbing center. I dig my fingernails into my palm, fighting the urge to rub against him.
“You really fucked this up, Your Grace,” I hiss and my lips brush against his.
“I’m well aware, princess.” He presses his hips against me, and a moan slips from my lips at the feel of his hard cock.
I can’t stop myself. I capture his bottom lip between mine and bear down on his thigh, rocking against it. He releases my hands and grips my waist as the other slides along my outside of my naked leg. My fingers plunge into the hair at his nape, and his tongue slides against mine.
Why is it that out of everything I’ve done in the past months, this feels the easiest? There’s no need to prove myself or refrain from thinking about the hurt I’ve endured. My rage can course through me, as can my mounting desire. Kyron is the cause of my calm, my fury, and my passion.
I place my hand over his on my thigh and guide it up, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “Touch me,” I say into our kiss.
His fingertips press into the delicate fabric of my undergarment, sending a sensual chill down my spine. He sucks in a breath through his teeth, rubbing circles over my clit. I’ve ached for his attention since the moment I saw him.
“I want to give you what you need, Raelle.”
“I need more,” I breathe, yanking the hem of his tunic from his pants.
He drags his tongue up the column of my neck and slides the lace to the side, his flesh finally touching mine. Two fingers slide along my slit before dipping inside me and curling upward. He grips my lower back, rocking me over his fingers.
“Oh fuck,” I moan, digging my nails into his sides.
My hand slips from his shirt and finds the tie at the front of his trousers. The length of him pulsates under the taut leather, begging to be buried between my legs. I yank on the string until it gives way and wrap him in my hand, hard and smooth.
His gaze of obsidian and amber meets mine, as he covers my hand with his and guides me up and down his shaft.
“Fuck, that’s good,” he hisses, his fingers growing bolder between my legs. His thumb sets a steady pace, drawing circles around my clit. Another finger slips into me, complementing the rock of my hips so I can take them deeper. The things he is capable of with just his hand are otherworldly. And still, my body burns with an emptiness that only he can fill. I grab the back of his pants and pull him closer, nudging his fingers that dance over my slickcenter with his cock.
“I need you to fuck me, Kyron. Make me forget.”
“No, princess. I’m going to make you remember how good we are together.”
He moves his hand away from where our bodies meet and grabs the back of my thighs, lifting me from the ground. My dress rips as I wrap my legs around his hips and sink down on his cock.
His breath is warm against my ears as he says, “That’s it. Take me deep. Show me how your body was made for what only I can give you.”
“Statera help me,” I breathe as he strokes in and out of me.
“Don’t you dare call on the Statera while I’m fucking you. You call my name. Only my name. Say it, Raelle. Who is buried deep inside you?”
“Kyron,” I breathe.
“Good girl.”
There is something about hearing him praise me while he rocks into my body that drives me wild. I tangle my fingers in his hair and press my mouth to his in a feverish kiss.
