He inhaled my scent. I could feel his lust, electric, demanding, and my toes curled.
One step. That’s all it took. Then his arms were around me, pulling me so tight my bones groaned. I wrapped my arms around his neck, nearly choking him, feeling every ridge of muscle, every breath, every frantic heartbeat.
His lips found mine, and we picked up exactly where the second bride trial had torn us apart. Breathing became an afterthought. When my man needed me this much, who needed fucking oxygen?
The kiss wasn’t gentle, but then Killian never pretended to be a gentleman like the fae prince. I didn’t need him to be. He was what he was: a demigod, a dragon, the new king of the Kingdomof Chaos. They say it’s tough to be loved by extremely powerful men, but I could keep any of them in line.
His mouth claimed mine with a hunger born from the fear of nearly losing me. I tasted starlight and honey on his tongue, my hands fisting in his hair that was longer now and wild from the shift. I pulled him closer, harder.
I’d grown so strong, and he knew it. Loved it. He didn’t want a delicate flower. Standing in his arms, I was his equal.
The throne room, the bodies, the kneeling courtiers, the loyal warriors—all of it vanished when my mate poured his relief, his fury, his need, and his joy into me. I fed on his emotions and energy giddily while giving some back. I was no longer just an eater of worlds and magic.
His teeth caught my lower lip, and I moaned, not exactly ladylike, especially in court. But I didn’t give a fuck. I had nothing to lose, not when they already called me Wicked Barbie. Ugly Barbie.
My spine arched toward him, closing even the particle of space between us. Every nerve ending lit up. My skin felt tight, hot, electric. Dark flame rippled along my arms, answering the storm of sensation he stirred.
So eager,he purred.So greedy for me.
What are you going to do about it?I purred back.
Not greedy. Mate takes what is hers!The dragon’s defense was immediate and fierce.
Killian’s lips left mine. Then he spun me, pressing my back against a pillar, shielding us from most of the court, though he didn’t exactly mind an audience. We were done sneaking around. This was the chaos king cherishing his only queen.
The cool marble against my spine made his heat all the more intense. His hands framed my face, thumbs stroking my cheekbones with surprising tenderness even as his fangs grazed my bottom lip.
I gave as good as I got, a soft sound escaping me that was anything but protest. This wasn’t submission; it was mutual domination. I bit; he groaned. He swept his tongue over the roof of my mouth, so deliciously sensual I pulled his hair hard enough to sting. We were both predators, taking turns conquering.
When we finally broke apart, I could barely remember my own name, but his was on the tip of my tongue. “Your name is Killian,” I grinned, “in case you forgot.”
The world rushed back.
The throne room was dead silent. I could hear courtiers’ jaws snapping shut. They’d watched our kiss open-mouthed. And since we were still in public, I let my eyes do the talking, giving him a look that said,Find a closet.
His arms tightened around me, his eyes laughing even as they burned with a heat and promise that made me shiver.
“Soon, little scorpion,” he purred against my ear, his voice rough and silky all at once, setting my core on fire. “I have bigger plans for you.”
I sucked in a breath, already picturing the naughty things he was going to do to me. My breasts grew heavy. I’d show him exactly how much I’d missed him, too. And once again, I waited for Sy to toss in a lewd remark, only to feel her absence like a deep, hollow ache.
“Your Majesty.” Lord Cassius strode toward us. No one else had the nerve to interrupt Killian, but apparently, kingdom business couldn’t wait forever. He couldn’t just kiss me and call it happily ever after. Our love might be a fairytale; our reality wasn’t.
Killian’s growl vibrated through both our chests, even as he acknowledged the price of being king.
“Would you introduce our queen to the court?” the Silent Blade asked, not even flinching.
“This is Queen Barbie,” he declared, his voice rich and powerful, carrying to every corner of the hall. “My mate. Your queen. Respect her, and you’ll be rewarded. Harm a single curl on her head, and you’ll regret having parents or children. I will eradicate your entire bloodline.”
I’d expected something sweeter, not a threat wrapped in a crown. But this was Killian, fresh from battle and seizing power. The former king and queen were nowhere to be seen. They must have fled, and he’d allowed it.
The silence in the court was so absolute, I could hear my own heartbeat and Killian’s. To mellow the blow of his harsh words, I turned to grin at everyone, mimicking the kind of grin Killian flashed once in a while, that kind of smile that could start or end wars.
Only Rock grinned back. He’d always had a soft spot for me.
“Ha, that’s very sweet,” I murmured, rubbing my tingling lips, still warm from his kiss.
Before the silence could stretch forever, Rock stepped forward and took a knee. “Long live Queen Barbie, goddess, queen, and true mate to our demigod dragon king!”
