“Yes, he’s dead, and good riddance,” he admitted. “But it’s still not safe for you to be seen out there. The Earthwives will kill you if they find out you’re alive. And Stellon can’t be trusted to protect you.”
“Andyoucan?” I shouted in utter disbelief that he was still defending his decision to lie and trap me here with him.
“For your information, Stellon still loves me,” I said. “I heard him telling Mareth that he’s still hoping his troops will find me alive somewhere in spite of being betrothed to Lady Helina of Nordica. He’s been looking non-stop since that day in the arena.”
How could I ever have put my faith in Pharis— and even let myself fall for him again—when good and faithful Stellon had been searching for me all these months?
“Let metellyou about that day in the arena,” Pharis growled.
He grabbed my shoulders and drew me close while I fought futilely to restore the distance between us.
Barely suppressed energy charged beneath his flushed skin, heating my skin as well.
Lacing every word with menace, Pharis stared down into my eyes.
“Your precious Stellon didnothingto save you. He was willing to watch you die at the end of the hangman’s noose.”
He took a ragged breath, releasing me and raking a hand through his hair.
“I was willing to burn down the entire kingdom for you. I let my own father die in dragonfire. And yes, I stole his Compeller glamour. Foryou.”
“Stellon chose safety and security,” he said. “I. Chose. You.”
I was paralyzed, unable to look away as he went on.
“And I would do it all again, no matter how many others had to die, so that you could live. I willalwayschoose you.”
He blew out a breath, seeming drained. “Hate me if you want to. I won’t apologize for that.”
For a long moment, we just stared at each other as the heat in his blue topaz eyes branded an indelible mark on my soul.
And then I broke the standoff, surging upward to wrap my hands around the back of his neck and pull myself up to reach his mouth.
At first Pharis didn’t respond, standing stock still as if paralyzed, his lips unmoving. Then it was like a dam inside him burst.
He clasped my face between his hands and kissed me with the kind of passion I dreamed of, the way he only did when I’dmanaged to sneak past his defenses and temporarily dismantle his self-control.
I prayed he’d lose it fully this time and finally admit what we both knew—he was my destiny, and I was his.
The kiss went on, growing deeper, more ravenous. My hands caressed his powerful form, clinging to him desperately, grappling in a wordless plea.
Claim me. Take me. Make me yours forever.
From Pharis’ mind, I heard a fervent response.
Youaremine.
Yes.Yes yes yes, it was finally happening.
Then as suddenly as he’d grabbed me, Pharis let me go, jerking himself away and turning to dig his fingertips into the tapestry wall covering.
It took me a second to recover my wits. I went to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my cheek to his back. He was breathing like he’d just run for miles.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. Something obviously was.
His shirt was damp with perspiration, and he smelled amazing, even more enticing than he usually did.
Pharis spun around, forming a manacle around my wrists with his strong fingers.
