I feel his exasperation through our shared link.‘He did not heed my warning.’
‘That doesn’t mean you behead him!’I berate.
Maxon hums down the link, and I roll my eyes.
“Are you even listening to me?” Kian’s voice breaks me from the spell.
“Of course she is. She just rolled her eyes at you.” Tristan’s tone conveys how bored he is with the conversation.
“We really should be going,” Zaria points out.
Kian holds out his arm to me and I beam, looping my arm in his.
“Be careful. You are literally playing with fire,” Trisan mumbles and begins leading the way.
Zaria falls into step next to me as we head toward Queen Lavina’s part of the castle.
“How are you feeling?” Kian asks, drawing my attention.
“I feel great, actually. I’m not as shocked about the changes as one would be because I remember my time from before.”
“You do?” Zaria asks.
Tristan casts me a questioning look over his shoulder.
“My eyes are just like my mothers.” I grinsoftly.
Making our way around the corner, we come to the open doors to the main sitting area. Just inside, Madeline and Maxon stand close together, their voices hushed as they engage in conversation. My grip involuntarily tightens on Kian’s arm, and I do my best to keep my face neutral as a surge of jealousy burns in the pit of my stomach. Connecting with the bond, I immediately sense Maxon's heightened alertness as well as his overall state of calm.
Somehow, knowing he’s calm helps me relax, but it doesn't stop the sharp words building on my tongue. My fingers twitch with anticipation as I reach for the dagger hidden within my bodice. Kian pats my hand, snapping me out of my haze.
"You have nothing to worry about," he reassures me with a smile. “She is a snake, and he knows it, plus you are his true mate.”
I look up into his lavender eyes and feel a sense of kinship. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, princess.” He grins, giving me a wink.
As soon as we enter the room, a distinct tension fills the air, causing my skin to prickle. In an instant, Kian is forcefully torn away from my side and sent crashing into the closest wall. The room echoes with the sound of the impact, and several gasps. Maxon’s movements are a blur of agility, his hand gripping Kian’s shirt tightly, their bodies pressed together before Maxon forcefully slams him against the wall and holds him there.
In a moment of panic, I let out a yelp and rush forward. I bump into Madeline in my haste, causing her to stumble off balance.
“Maxon! Stop this. What are you doing?” I snap angrily, grabbing his arm.
“He should know better than to flirt with you,” Maxon growls.
“Maxon, he is my friend, and someone you trust to protect me.”
Maxon’s eyes flare brightly. “Maybe that’s something I need to reconsider.”
“No, it’s not!”
“Told him he was playing with fire,” Tristan mumbles under his breath, but I hear it clear as day.
I glare over my shoulder at him, and using strength I didn’t realize I possessed, I pry Maxon away from Kian. The moment our eyes connect, a bolt of lightning shoots through my veins, and he is on me in a second, his mouth fusing with mine. The touch of his lips makes everything else fade into oblivion.
I barely hear the door click shut as Maxon swiftly lifts me, slamming my back against the wall. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist, drawing us closer. His lips, heated and passionate, trace a trail down my neck. Without hesitation, he pulls down the top of my dress, snapping the delicate straps, revealing my breasts. Reaching up, his warm hands cup my breasts, his hips pin me in place before he takes my nipple into his mouth and sucks hard, pleasure pulling at my core like a string. Then, switching to the other, he does it again. I move my hips against his, craving that intense and pleasurable friction, but this damn dress is hindering my movements.
“I knew I couldn’t wait to have you,” Maxon growls, his eyes blazing in desire. “Should have fucked you in the shower.”
