A furious draft of wind flashed past them and snatched her away from Aerén, making her head spin. Eve stumbled and braced a hand on the wall to steady herself. A loud thud echoed in the hallway, followed by a body hitting something hard. A clay pot crashed to the floor. Soil scattered, dislodging a small, leafy plant.
Reynner stood in front of Aerén. Fists clenched, chest heaving, his body vibrating with barely leashed violence.
Aerén pushed away from the wall and straightened his shirt. His eyes glowed white with anger. Power rolled off him, and a sizzle ran through Eve.
She gasped, her body twitching. She didn’t need this added stimulant along with everything else she was going through.
“I will do what you won’t. I can always invoke our laws,” Aerén snapped in warning. “I will not let her suffer needlessly.”
Eve had no idea what that meant, didn’t care. But Reynner stiffened. The ice in his gaze turned molten. “We are not in Empyrea. Touch her again, and I will kill you. Prince or not.”
Aerén stilled. Then his expression morphed to a slow, dark smirk, like he just discovered something implausible.
Not caring what that was, she darted between them and glared at Reynner. “Don’t you dare! Why do you care who I’m with?” she cried, rubbing her arms to ease the tingles. “I never asked for any of this.” She flung her hand in the direction of the scroll. “I didn’t.”
She turned to Aerén, couldn’t see him with tears crowding her eyes. “I-I want to get out of here, please.”
A swim in the icy lake, and maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to breathe again.
A callused hand seized her wrist and hauled her out onto the balcony. Eve stumbled behind Reynner. Fabric ripped, resonating in the morning air as he tore off his tee and flung it aside. The ruined garment landed on the floor, and his wings reappeared in all their bronzed glory. His wild forest scent surrounded her.
She backed away. She didn’t want this. It hurt too much.
His eyes a blazing blue, Reynner came at her like some avenging angel. He scooped her into his arms and soared off the balcony.
Eve’s horrified scream never made it past her lips. He captured her mouth in a fierce kiss, branding her with his touch, surrounding her with his warmth.
Her heart stuttered. How could he be so cruel to torment her like this?
She tore her mouth free from his and pushed at his chest. “How could you?”
“Stop, Eve. We’re mid-air.” He grabbed both of her hands with one of his. His other tightened around her waist, his erection pressing against her hips.
“How could you tell them what the scroll did to me?” she cried, betrayal crashing through her.
At her accusation, he growled, “I can smell your arousal from miles away—it seeps into my skin, coats my tongue, and haunts my senses. And they damn well could, too. You think I want them catching your scent. Getting worked into a frenzy by you?”
Eve froze. They’d smelled her?Thatwas why they’d gone robot-still in the lounge? They were holding their breath?
Oh, God, it was worse than she imagined. Humiliating.
The moment Reynner landed them on the flat, sun-warmed boulders, Eve spun away and walked blindly into the trees. Unable to face him.
He came after her, blocking her path, eyes vivid with anger. His spread wings slapping against the branches in fury like he wanted the pain. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Leave me alone.” She tried to walk around him.
A snarl. “So you can be with Aerén?”
She didn’t care. Had nothing to lose. “At least he wants me!”
Eve didn’t see him move. Her back hit a tree trunk, his mouth taking hers in a bruising kiss. She fought him, pain crushing her heart. She didn’t want his pity. Furious, Eve bit him.
His head snapped back, blood beading on his lower lip.
“I’d rather a one-night-stand with Aerén than a pity fuck from you—”
“He’ll never have you!”
