His grip loosens, breath shaky against my lips.
Disappointment coils low in my stomach, fast and bitter.
But then—his eyes flick to mine, dark and warring with something I can’t name. His jaw tenses, lips hovering a breath from mine—and I hear it.
Low. Rough. Final.
“Fuck it.”
Then he crashes into me. His mouth claims mine—hot and consuming. No hesitation now. Just fire. Raw. Hungry. Built from weeks of restraint snapping all at once.
And gods, it’sdifferent.
His lips move over mine with purpose—fierce, controlled. A match struck. A flame catching.
The world tilts.
One hand slides into my hair, fisting gently, tilting my head back so he can deepen the kiss. Take more. Give more. His grip shifts—firmer now. Certain. Possessive.
He’s decided there’s no going back.
And I don’t want him to.
MAGICS AND FIRE
NINETEEN
There is still so much about Dragons that remains unknown. They are reticent with their histories, guarded with their truths. What we do know is their power is immense, and their eggs are intrinsically tied to the Elements, forming a bond that links our fates. Without their hatchlings, we risk not only the loss of our Elemental magics, but the release of the Shadow Forces—and the unspeakable power behindthem.
—VALEN’S JOURNAL
AMARA
The air between us thrums—tight, breathless, crackling with tension that’s been simmering far too long. His fingers dig into my waist, pulling me flush against him. And suddenly—I don’t know where I end and he begins.
Something stirs deep in my belly. A slow, twisting heat.
I forget everything. The cliffs. Lyra. Valen. The war. Everything except the feeling of his lips, his hands, his body against mine.
“I was informed that the Fire Warlord wastrainingyou, notclaimingyou.”Calryx’s voice hums into my mind—dry, unimpressed, and absolutely untimely.
My breath stutters. My eyes fly wide. I gasp and yank back, stumbling out of Thane’s arms.
Thane looks down at me, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling in those steady, annoyingly controlled breaths of his. Then his mouth quirks—just barely.
Smug. Smooth. Amused.
Shit.
“Should I leave so you and your Fire Warlord can finish what you started? Because I was under the impression today was about me.”
I choke. Literally choke on air.
I whirl toward Calryx, face burning.
“Excuse me?!” I say out loud, voice strangled.
Thane’s brow lifts. “What?”
