When he obliged, his lids sliding closed and his lips parting for a kiss, she pushed up onto an elbow.
And clocked him across the jaw.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Tristan rubbed his aching chin, unable to corral his astonished laughter.
Cassandra was…
Holy fucking Creator.
She wasFae.
He’d always thought she was beautiful—the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.
Obviously, he’d never known the meaning of the word.
She was still Cass, still his Daredevil, but her facial features were slightly sharper, her pale skin glowing as if lit from within.
And thosewings.
Even mud-caked and water-logged, they were stunning. Gorgeous, soft white feathers with a hint of rainbow iridescence.
As he gaped, she stood upright, cocking her arm back for another blow.
He laughed again, snatching her wrist and pulling her into him. She squirmed in his grip. He had no idea why she was trying to fight him, but he didn’t care. And soon, his laughter dissolved into relieved tears.
She was here.Alive. In his arms.
She could beat him bloody and he’d beg for more contact.
“Let mego,” she snarled against his chest.
“Cassandra,” he exhaled, releasing her and stepping back. He raised his palms, trying not to melt into a puddle at her feet. She wore her fury like a crown. Wore it like a queen.
Like anEmpress.
She lifted her fists, a proper fighter’s stance—someone, likely Ronin, must have been training her—and his gaze snared on her biceps. She’d gotten stronger. Much stronger. She was all lean, lithe muscle, her body angled to deliver another punishing blow to his jaw. The first still smarted.
She was even holding her wings perfectly. Lifted slightly off her back, ready to strike out when needed. Tiny jolts of jealousy tingled through him that someone else had taught her to use them.
He smirked. “If I put my palms down, are you going to punch me again?”
“Probably,” she growled, her brows pinched and her breathing heavy.
He shrugged, delighted. “And here I thought you’d be so thrilled to see me you’d fall into my arms and weep with joy.”
“You’ll be the one weeping as soon as I get my hands back on you.”
“Pleaseput your hands back on me.”
She emitted a furious scream, then rushed for him, fists flying. He lowered his arms, didn’t fight back as she landed a wicked jab to his stomach. He crumpled in half, his breath whooshing out.
She puffed out questions between each blow.
“Why did you come here?”Punch.
“You should be out there winning your throne!”Jab.
