Page 137 of In The Shadows

Chapter 34

Theo

The yellowing pages of the old book are brittle under my rough fingertips, and I do my best not to damage them while I read. The scent of old parchment and leather wafts in the air, warming my soul. I delicately turn the page for another read through of the end bringer story that captured my attention over a week ago.

I’ve read it at least five times since then. Something feels off about the story, but I can’t seem to figure out what it is. It’s like it was told to me in a past life, but my mind is struggling to put back all the pieces. The book abruptly stops as if someone forcefully ripped the pages from the binding. But the lack of torn edges or markings prove that hasn’t happened.

I shift in my new deep-crimson chair in the corner of my cell, getting more comfortable for another read. A gift from the queen so I can have a small reading nook complete with a table. I must have given her a wonderful orgasm behind the waterfall to receive furniture as a thank you.

Trailing my fingers across my lips, I remember her sweet taste and intoxicating noises. It’s only been days since our outing, but it feels like a lifetime. We have zero privacy with Nyx always putting himself between us at every opportunity, earning a disgruntled noise from the queen each time. She has also seemed preoccupied, and I wonder if it’s because of the message they received that night.

The scent of roses drifts into my cell, and I smile, knowing without even looking that the queen’s standing at my door. A flutter forms deep in my chest at her presence.

“Are you still reading the end bringer story?” she asks.

She’s leaning against the bars inside my cell wearing her usual attire of all black, showing off her exquisite body. I want to memorize every inch of her, learning each curve and the sound she makes as I touch it.

Her bright smile makes my heart skip as she studies me. “Maybe I need your help to read after all.” A small snicker comes from her as she looks down at the floor. When she brings those radiant green eyes back to mine, it takes everything in me not to drop to my knees for her.

She pushes off the bars and slowly steps toward me.

“I was stopping by to make sure your new chair is big enough.” Her gaze trails over me as she steps closer, barely out of reach.

“It’s a little uncomfortable,” I say, lifting my ass off the cushion as if it’s the root of the problem. This causes the queen to lean in closer to inspect the chair.

I snatch her wrist in a firm grip, learning from my mistake in the library. Pulling her hard to me, I sit her down on my lap.

“Ah, now that’s more comfortable.”

She lets out a breathy laugh as I wrap my arms around her while still holding the book in one hand. I lean my head into the side of hers.

“Thanks for the chair. It’s perfect.”

She leans her head back into mine. I set the book down on my leg and reach up, placing my hand on her cheek. With the slightest amount of pressure, I turn her face toward me, and she leans back into my chest. I capture her lips with mine, and she melts into me. Her fingers slide into my hair as our tongues dance. We restrain ourselves from deepening the kiss.

The warm caress of her shadows trailing up my arms brings memories of being between the queen’s thighs. I pull away and stare into those captivating eyes, wishing to know all the secrets they hold. She relaxes into me as her shadows fade away.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I draw her tight to me.

“I missed you,” I whisper into her ear so no one else can hear.

She shifts slightly in my lap.

“I missed you, too,” she answers softly. I savor the feeling of her soft body against mine, and I rub her arm, trying to satisfy my need to touch her more. “How did you convince your jailers to give you freedom tonight?”

She reaches across me to pick up the book from my lap. Her enchanting scent causes my heart to skip a beat.

“Because we’re not alone, Captain.”

---