Andrian released a heavy sigh of relief, head falling back against the chair. Mariah stopped, and Andrian glanced down at her between his legs with a raised eyebrow and a wicked smirk.
“Don’t you dare fucking put me through all that and not finish the job, princess.”
For a moment, he thought shewoulddare.
But he knew his queen was darker and dirtier than that.
That gods-damned mouth wrapped around him again, taking him down her throat as if it were crafted just for him, and he lost himself in her.
Piercing pleasure sank into the base of his spine just as the music reached its next crescendo. Voices and instruments converged, a brilliant, triumphant melody. She worked him faster, so hot and wet and sweet. His hand slipped from the arm of the chair and sank into the thickness of her hair.
His eyes met hers, asking a silent question. She gave him the most subtle of nods, and his control shredded through him.
The music reached its peak as pleasure wracked through him, his release slamming into him with mind-splitting ferocity. Stars glittered at the edges of his vision, shadows dancing down his arms, caressing her cheeks, her throat, her body.
Reality filtered back in as the chorus played its final note, the performers striking their final poses. His chest heaved, lungs dragging in air, limbs trembling. He slipped from her mouth, and with whatever mental power he had left, he swiped thefolded napkin from the table and handed it to her. The warmth of her body vanished from between his thighs. He quickly pushed himself back into his trousers, buttoning himself up just as the music faded into silence and the room broke into thunderous applause.
When the lights in the cavern blazed back to life, Mariah was once again seated next him, as polished and perfect as ever, even as she dapped the napkin to the edge of her mouth.
Something raw and primal swept through Andrian. She set the napkin down and he was on her, his mouth capturing hers in a devastating, hungry kiss.
Her cheeks and neck were flushed that beautiful shade of pink when he released her. The room still shook with applause, but this moment existed just for them.
“You are infuriating and filthy and so gods-damned fuckingperfect,” he growled, gripping the back of her head.
She smiled, but it was no longer wicked or edged with mischief. It was genuine and soft and almost shy. “Not too much?”
Andrian barked a laugh, releasing her as he settled back in his chair, hands coming together to join the ongoing applause.
“Never too much,nio. Never for me.”
She clapped her hands as well, but her gaze remained fixed on him. “And what will your lesson be?”
Gods, was she nervous?
Since he was far from a good man, that thought made him unreasonably excited. She may be able to ruin him in public, but she knew he was fully capable of returning the favor.
Knew he fullyintendedto return the favor.
Gods, he couldn’t fucking wait.
He simply gave her a smile as the performers took their final bows. The servers filed out from the halls, laying plates of steaming and fragrant food on their table.
“I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see.”
The intrigued look she gave him—one hinted with just the slightest bit of fear—might’ve cured a bit more of his darkness.
Chapter 53
Ciana’s head was made of stone.
The curtains in her room were closed, the lights woven into the canopy ceiling dimmed. She took another tentative sip of water, groaning at the way her brain pulsed against her skull.
How much wine had she even had last night? Gods, she hadn’t remembered it being that much…but then again, she didn’t remember much about her dinner with the king at all. There was the incredible food and the glasses refilled to the brim. She’d talked to the king about something important, but she couldn’t recall what. Everything was a hazy blur, the memories too bright and too loud to be of any use.
Especially not when her head felt ready to crack open like an egg.
Atap tap tappounded through her room. She groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
