Page 73 of Empire of Flame and Thorns

With another dark laugh, he strolls over to the bed and throws back the cover, revealing the smooth dark sheets beneath.

The sight of it sends another jolt through me, and a question that I hadn’t even considered flashes through my mind.

My intention was to ask that question, but instead, what makes it out of my mouth is, “You’re going to bed.”

Draven pauses with his hand on the cover, which he has now moved aside, and casts a glance at me over his shoulder. “How very observant of you.”

I’m already flustered, and his flippant response just makes it worse. So instead of asking the question in a way that doesn’t sound so pathetic, I end up just blurting out, “Where am I going to sleep?”

Apart from the bed, there is nothing in this room that can remotely be used as a bed. No couch. Not even a soft rug. Just a desk and some closets and dressers.

A devilish glint appears in his eyes as he meets my gaze.

“On the floor, of course,” he says.

I gape at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“Where else would you sleep?”

“In the bed.”

A sly smile curls his lips, and he raises his eyebrows at me. “You want to share my bed?”

Heat sears my cheeks. I try to let out an annoyed huff, but unfortunately it comes out sounding more embarrassed than irritated.

“You know what I mean.” I flick my wrist in the direction of the bed. “There is more than enough room for both of us. You on one side and me on the other. Nosharing,” I shoot him a pointed look, “required.”

For a few seconds, he just watches me in silence. There is an expression on his handsome features that I can’t read. It mightbe amusement. Or annoyance. Or approval. Or something else entirely.

At last, he just turns back to the bed and climbs onto it without another word. The wood creaks slightly underneath the weight of his muscular body as he adjusts his position.

Standing there on the floor, I watch him while trying to figure out what this means.

Draven is lying on his stomach, with his arms up and his hands tucked underneath his pillow. He has positioned himself slightly more towards the middle of the bed rather than staying firmly on one side.

Squinting at the bed, I try to measure the space that remains on the mattress. It looks like I could fit quite comfortably there. My gaze darts over to Draven’s muscular back. Does this mean that he has agreed to let me sleep in the bed?

Since he hasn’t said anything, I decide to assume so. After giving my head a short shake to clear it, I stride over to the other side of the bed and reach for the edge of the cover.

Right before my fingers can brush against the soft bed, a small cloud of black smoke pulses through the air.

Draven’s massive wings explode into view.

I start in surprise, jerking back a little.

When I have gathered my wits again, I’m met with the most infuriating sight yet. Draven’s huge black wings are spread out to his sides, blocking the entire rest of the bed.

I curl my fingers into a fist and force out an angry breath.

“Asshole,” I growl.

“What was that?” he demands without even lifting his head.

“You heard me.”

“Yes, I did.” At last, he raises his head and locks eyes with me from over his broad shoulder and his massive wing. “Watch your mouth, little rebel. Or I might find another use for it.”

A pulse shoots through me. All the way down to my core. I suck in a breath as fire licks my veins.

---