Instead, I wait, paralyzed by the heat of her touch. Desperate for one more second of her body pressed against mine—to breathe her in and get drunk off her scent.
So I allow it. I allow her to hold me there, eyes sharp as the dagger pressed to my neck.
“You know killing kings usually results in decapitation.”
She shrugs, indifferent. “Kingregent. And not for much longer.”
“Until Sorscha and Eaton’s coronation.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“How do you intend to torment me without your head?”
“I’ll think of something.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Don’t do that. Donotflirt with me,” she snaps.
“I would never.”
“Give me one reason I shouldn’t drive this straight through your neck.”
“I can’t. You’re going to do whatever you want to anyway, so I think I’ll save my breath. But before you do—” I take her balled fist and place it at my nape, holding it there. “Just remember what this feels like. Remember who taught you how to hold a dagger, how to throw one. How to ruin someone with just a flick of your wrist.”
The air around us is electric. Charged with adrenaline and desire and lines just begging to be crossed.
“I could ruin you with far less than that,” she threatens.
“You already have.”
I catch a rare flash of surprise in her stare. It’s gone before I can blink.
“There,” I whisper, unable to keep from looking at her lips. “Ready to die.”
Her eyes flicker, some of the bloodlust receding. With a growl, she lowers the blade.
“You deceived me.” Each clipped word is packed with icy venom.
“A necessary evil.”
“Zadyndied!”
“I’m assuming he lived since you haven’t acted on the urge to kill me yet.”
“That is not the point. You’re lucky I was able to bring him back. And don’t think it didn’t cost me.” She shoves away from me, and I instantly mourn the loss of her nearness. “He never should have died in the first place. But thanks to you, he did. And whatever idiotic feelings I had for you died with him.”
“Did they?” I reach for her wrist and angle her dagger back to my neck. “Then you should have no problem doing what you stormed in here to do.”
The flames swell behind me. Orange and blue light flares across her face, and that look in her eye…
Sheisfire. She is heat. She is strength and blood and tears. Fury and grief. And sometimes it’s like looking in a mirror.
“Just stop.” She breaks away again, dropping the knife and holding up her hands. “Don’t touch me.”
My stomach churns.
“What you did—locking me up…I never in a million years expected you to do something like that. To banish me to the sidelines as people died out there.Becauseof me. Asyouwent to battle. As Zadyn put himself at risk with that insane plan.”
