The weight of Týr’s warm palm on her back had her breathing easier.
Heck, she was mated to a Guardian. She had a deadly Sin as her father. But she, apparently, was a wuss, with only thoughts of fleeing from all these uncomfortable stares.
Straightening her spine, she focused on Wrath addressing the legion of demons who’d sworn their fealty to him in a strange language. A spooky hum throbbed through the vast hall as he spoke. Near her, Týr tensed.
Wrath said something to the legions, his expression hard. Then, he glanced at her, taking both of her hands in his. His gaze softened as he kissed her knuckles.Happy birthday, Kira, his words settled in her mind.
Her birthday. Was it the nineteenth already?
At the sudden stamping of boots on the hard floor, Kira jerked back, her heart crashing against her ribs. A shout came from someone in the front, and the legions raised their daggers. The air thickened as power surged, spreading like a wave of tingles skating over her skin. The demons and demonesses chorused something in the same strange language that Wrath had used, then bows and curtsies followed.
“What’s happening? What is that?” she whispered, rubbing her arms.
“They’re swearing their fealty to you,” Wrath told her. “It’ll remain inside you now. Whoever crosses your path will sense it and know who you are. If any try to harm you, they’ll face a death that is never-ending.”
The torrent of energy pulsating through the hall swept through Kira, and a humming arousal stirred to life. Oh, crap, she inhaled another rapid gulp of air and rubbed her palms down her hips. What was happening to her?
Týr grasped her hand, his grip warm, reassuring. Then, stunning her speechless, he bowed his head to her and raised her hand to kiss the inside of her wrist. Nothing showed on his face, but his eyes said it all. In those pale-toffee depths warm with tenderness and love, his own oath to protect her glowed bright and steady.
Tears crowded her eyes. Her feelings for this hard immortal who concealed so much pain and anger beneath his snarky facade overwhelmed her.
Wrath spoke again, and stares from the demons moved between her and Týr.
“Wrath just announced that you are mated to a Guardian of the mortal realm,” Riley explained.
Týr let go of her hand, his fingers sliding to her lower back and beneath her top to stroke her flesh as if he needed the connection. Her breath caught, her desire hiking.
Wrath called out something, and all the demons stamped their feet again in accord as the ceremony ended. Chairs scraped, and the demons reseated themselves.
“Right then. I’ll see you later.” Riley headed back to his seat.
Later?Kira stared at her brother’s retreating back in confusion. See who later? Obviously not her…Týr?
Her man grasped her hand, stepped off the dais, and helped her down before walking off. She had to run to keep up with his long-legged stride. Her question forgotten, too aware now of the demons watching them—of the covetous stares the females and several males cast Týr. And that irritated her. They had no clue what he’d endured eyeing him like some damn prize.
“Should we be leaving?” she panted.
“Yes.” He entered a darkened cubicle away from the noise of the dining hall and let her go. The place was no bigger than a closet. A granite ledge at the opposite wall formed a seat of sorts with a padded cushion and a small window that looked out over a tiny courtyard. Týr just stood there.
Oh, no. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, taking in his hard profile, had thinned mouth. “I know it must have been hard for you…”
Suddenly, he hauled her to him, his mouth coming down on hers. Rough. Wild. He kissed her as if he were desperate for air, as if he couldn’t breathe. She stroked his back, soothing and calming him. Kira realized he probably needed to get his head out of the dark place he’d likely found himself in again by being surrounded by so many demons.
His kiss grew more demanding as his tongue stroked hers possessively. He wrapped one arm around her waist and held her against him, every hard muscle in his body pressing into her softer one. Need skyrocketed and she kissed him with equal fervor. His hands lowered to her bottom, and he rocked his rapidly hardening sex between the V of her thighs.
“I want to tear off these damn clothes in my way,” he growled, his eyes wild, his tone like gravel. His fingers slipped under her top, and he tugged on her nipple, a pull she felt all the way to her core. He nipped her chin. “You drive me crazy—”
She pushed her hands under his shirt, wanting to touch skin, desperately needing him inside her. Panted, “You do me, too.”
Rough laughter. “I’ll do you anytime,elska. Maybe we’ll light up this place with flames of our passion, turn it to ash.”
Her heart eased, his sarcasm remained as untethered as him.
He trailed kisses along her jaw as he bunched up her skirt and slipped his hand under her panties, sliding a finger between her folds. “So deliciously wet—”
His thumb brushed her clit, and a shock of pleasure darted through her core. He pulled off her underwear, pushed them into his back pocket, then unfastened his leathers. His movements were jerky, lacking his usual finesse.
She brushed his hand aside and unzipped him. His cock sprang free. Kira wrapped her fingers around him and stroked his rigid length. He was warm, solid heat. She pushed him down onto the padded seat, then climbed over and straddled him. He bunched up her skirt, and she came down on him, the head of his sex pressing into her opening before plunging right in.
