Page 113 of King of Fire and Flames

I laughed. “And you can have that, too. As many times as you wish tonight. Only speak the words and I’ll be your slave. Do with me what you will. Forever, if you like.”

“Mm, I do like the sound of that.”

I pressed my forehead to hers and sighed. “Quickly, then. Let’s go. I can’t wait much longer.”

Chapter 35

Leaf

Before I could beg to take the elevator, we were flying again, swooping into Arrow’s domed apartment, then gliding up to the bathroom perched on a platform of raised marble inside the river room.

Arrow ran the bath, not taking his eyes off me as I peeled off my blood-soaked wedding gown and boots. He took a bucket from the corner of the room, guided me to stand over the drain and poured warm water over my head, sluicing most of the blood and dirt from my skin.

My mouth dried as he removed his leather pants, then ambled to the sink and splashed water over his face, the flames from the wall sconces highlighting the mesmerizing shift and glide of muscles.

Arrow’s body was a work of art.

Picking up the bucket, he sloshed water over himself, staring at me with a hungry glint in his eyes.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Please do,” I said climbing carefully into the copper tub and swallowing groans of pain. “Before you get any big ideas, touching and kissing in here are fine, but nothing else. We’re saving the best stuff for dry land.” Grimacing, I swished the red-tinged water. “And clean sheets.”

He bowed his head, strands of hair framing the brutal lines of his cheekbones. “I’m yours to command, of course, but let me check if I have this right. Hands and lips are fine, but a cock is out of the question?”

I laughed. “Hurry up and get in before I turn into a wrinkled prune.”

“If you do, I promise I’ll love every single crease on your skin.”

“Arrow, I don’t fancy the idea of looking like your grandmother one day.”

His glyphs glowed bright gold, his erection bobbing as he slid into the tub and entwined his legs with mine. “Having my storm magic around and inside you will slow the human-aging process. When you bear our children, some of their power will transfer to you. We will live a long and blissful life together, my Aldara, all we must do is enjoy it.”

“And work on bettering our kingdoms for our people.”

“Of course. Instead of hoarding peace and happiness for ourselves, we’ll ensure everyone in the realms experiences it, too.”

“There’s nothing sexier than a reformed villain. When are you planning on kissing me?” I asked.

Smirking, he scratched the stubble on his chin. “Hm… perhaps next Friday I could find time to do it properly.”

I splashed water on his chest, then took his face between my palms, kissing him ruthlessly.

“Slow down,” he whispered, his palm covering my pulsing Aldara mark. “I’m about to lose control. I want to love you properly. Take care of you.”

“Okay,” I said, struggling to catch my breath. Then between soft kisses we washed each other gently, fingers stroking, hushed voices soothing.

“I thought I’d lost you in that horrible arena,” I said, the tears I’d been suppressing flowing freely.

“No, never. Come here, Leaf.” He dragged me closer, wrapping me in his arms and the dark canopy of his wings. “Even death can’t keep us apart. I would fight my way back to you from the deepest hell realms. I promise.”

“Ugh, now I’m thinking of Ruhh, bound to her corpse forever.”

Arrow grimaced. “Don’t think about her.” His fingers trailed over my stomach, then ventured lower. “Does this help redirect your focus?”

I moaned in pleasure. “Yes. It absolutely does.” Heat flushed through my veins, my muscles trembling with need. “I can’t wait to have you inside me. Please, let’s get out of here.”

In a blur of limbs, feathers, and splashing water, he leaped from the bath, his glyphs moving over his skin as he pulled me onto the wet floor.

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