All three of the princes look ready to collapse, but there’s resolve in their faces.
Lucien plants a kiss on Harper’s cheek. “You just stay here with Sevrin and relax. We’ll be back soon.”
Alaric slaps my shoulder on the way out. “Don’t let her seduce you until we get back.”
Gareth just gives me a serious look. “Keep her safe, okay?”
I nod. “Always.”
The door closes, and it’s just us. The silence is sudden, almost hungry.
Harper leans her head on my shoulder. “They’re not coming back soon, are they?”
“Nope,” I say. “That Thorne has his own agenda, and I’m sure it’s not something we’ll like.”
She tilts her head to look at me, eyes bright. “You think they’ll get him to understand that this is all for the best?”
I snort. “No, I don’t think it’ll suddenly be sunshine and rainbows with that bitter old man. But he doesn't need to understand it, just accept it, because my people are already making preparations to come to our new Dravari lands. I imagine they’ll be along shortly, and they’re expecting a warmer welcome from the dragon riders at Gore Rock than they’ve received in the past. My sister threw out the idea of just sending warriors here the first time to test the treaty, and I thought it was a good idea.”
She smiles, then shifts, so she’s straddling my lap. “I think I’m done worrying. Want to find a way torelax?”
It takes a second for my brain to catch up, but then I’m kissing her, mouth hungry and rough. Her lips taste sweet and feel so damn soft that I’m instantly ready for her.How long has it been since we last fucked?Too long, that’s all I know. She pulls my hair, hard, adjusting me to kiss her more deeply, and I nearly lose it.
She breaks the kiss, breathing hard. “I really missed you.”
“I missed you too,” I say, voice raw.
She brushes her thumb across my cheek. “I can’t wait to be home with you.”
I believe her, because I’m dying to be back in her bed. To be back somewhere that doesn’t make me feel on edge.
She tugs at my jacket, yanking it off my shoulders. “I missed this,” she says, hands tracing the scars on my arms. “Missed you.”
I pull her in again, slower this time. Her body is heat and salt and softness, and I want to memorize every inch of it. I want to take an imprint of this woman and carry it around with me always. She’s my heart. My soul. And I want nothing more than her.
She removes my shirt and pushes me back on the bed, crawling up until she’s above me, hair falling in my face. “You’re mine,” she says, like it’s a threat and a promise.
“Yes, My Heart, whatever you wish,” I say, and mean it.
She laughs again, and the sound is so full of life it hurts.
The door bangs open, and before I can even blink the room is flooded with dragon riders, swords drawn. The lead is back, face twisted into some mix between hatred and regret. I stand, putting myself between them and Harper, blade suddenly in my hand.
Rosanthra, something is wrong. We might need you,I tell my dragon.
I will tell the others, but we are still weakened from the flight. We will eat as much as we can, replenish, and be ready if needed.
That had to be enough for now.
“What’s the meaning of this?” I ask, keeping the fear from my voice.
The head dragon rider steps forward, sword leveled at my throat. “You don’t belong here, Hollowborn and Hollowborn lover. It’s time we set things right.”
“Set things right? This is treason!” Harper shouts.
“Treason?” he repeats, his eyes dark as night. “No, Elder Thorne has made his orders clear. Both of you are to die, and we’re to leave no trace of you behind.”
“This isn’t what the king wants!” She pulls out her dagger, clenching it in her hand as she comes to stand beside me.
