Clement’s clever fingers wasted no time. He found my breast, tweaking my nipple until it peaked. I arched into him, his erection already straining against my lower back. His other hand slid down my stomach, tracing circles upon my flushed skin, his movements hurried but so persuasive.
In front of us, the prince stiffened. The tips of his ears reddened as the muscles of his neck went taut. Could he hear?
Clement’s fingers teased open my waistband, gliding over the front of my lacy underwear. At the slightest pressure, an infuriatingly brief shudder of pleasure fired through me before he paused. He nibbled my ear, his breath warm and heady as he whispered, “Yes?”
The prince definitely knew. The forearm that encircled Lilyanna’s waist corded; his muscles enhanced by the flashes of shadows as the fireworks faded.
And I didn’t care.
I nodded, and Clement let out a muffled groan, his mouth caressing my neck. A pinwheel of gold screamed in the sky above us, shards of light piercing the shadows all around as he plunged his fingers inside me. My gasp was swallowed entirely by the noise.
Sweet melon scent infused the air around us, but I could barely sense it. My breath was shallow, head light with my every focus on his stroking fingers, the squeeze of my nipple in his other hand, the lapping of his tongue against my neck, the tightening coil of heat in my abdomen.
There was a lull as the last stars of gold rained down upon the crowd, but his hands kept moving, hips rocking against my back. Small ribbons of purple and silver leaped into the sky, unfurling into sleek dragons, the two colors writhing and winding around each other in a sensual dance. Lavender and lychee perfumed the air.
As the dragons rose, readying themselves for the final embrace, the coil inside of me snapped. Heat flooded my system, my body arching into his. He wrapped one hand around my mouth, muffling my cry while his fingers still worked, drawing out every last ounce of pleasure, until my body sagged against his.
He stilled against me, both of us watching the spots of color fade from the sky. A low hum pulsed from all around, the wooden stalls vibrating and the fairy lights tremoring. People murmured, casting eager glances up into the sky waiting for the finale.
The prince softly kissed Lilyanna’s cheek, and she leaned into him, but the movement was stilted, his head turned for too long. His attention was still on us, but why did he care?
Clement slipped his hand out and brought it to his lips. I turned to him, his dark eyes hungry, pupils blown. “Beautiful,” he whispered, slowly sucking his fingers, his mouth glossy and swollen.
My lips parted, a soft moan escaping and he kissed me deeply, his tongue claiming my mouth as his arm tightened around me again.
“My turn.” He eased away, kissing down my jaw, sucking and nibbling on the exact point on my neck that sent me wild. I raised my head, extending my neck to present myself to him. One arm held me tight, his hand splayed on my stomach while the other freed his erection, pumping with strong, smooth strokes.
I giggled. What was wrong with me? I didn’t giggle.
He smiled against my skin, his breath warm, tongue never ceasing as it swirled, tasting every inch.
What would happen to him when I got the prince? Would it ruin him? Could he come with me?
Fireworks screamed into the sky, exploding in blinding flashes of color, light, and scent. I gripped Clement’s arm, tightening his hold around my stomach. His strokes were wild now, his body straining against mine.
He suspected I was up to something. He knew more than anyone, more than he should. If he found out what I was planning, would he stop me?
The air thickened, the final medley of patterns claiming the night sky. He bit down on my neck, his body collapsing against mine with a groan that was primal and dominating and Goddessdamn it, so sexy.
He pressed a kiss to my cheek and rested his chin atop my hair as orange-scented flares twirled to the ground around us.
Lilyanna turned to smile at me, her face aglow, eyes bright. I grinned back with both Clement’s arms now wrapped casually around me. She turned back and snuggled into the prince.
She still believed he was good, that he was innocent, and I would try and save them both. She thought someone else was controlling the castle, but even if that was true, I had no choice.
My life wasn’t the only one on the line.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TREASON
Early the next morning, with the dawn light smothered by heavy clouds, I slipped out the servant's door and cut through the city toward the stables.
The streets were empty, the cobbles neatly swept with fresh rain lingering on the bare washing lines strung between the houses. My worn boots produced only a muffled tread as I hugged the shadows, acutely aware that my progress could be tracked from the castle windows directly to the main gates down the arrow-straight road.
The coin purse in my cloak pocket jangled with every step. As always, Siobhan had been generous, and there would be no shortage of funds. I just had to cement the getaway and hoard enough supplies so Lilyanna and I could travel west in the fast-approaching winter. She’d agreed to go, but she didn’t need to know the plans. I would tell her at the last minute, announce to the prince where we were going, and flee before the castle could crumble down around us, trapping us forever.
Maybe Clement would come with me, and I could keep him a secret from Siobhan, at least for a while. He could prove quite useful when Siobhan inevitably forced me out on a new bounty. He knew just enough to understand what I did, and so far, he wasn’t disgusted or horrified. He’d probably become quite accustomed to murder with all the local disappearances.
