Page 69 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

Digging my fingers into his hair only increased his pace. My body trembled with exhilaration.

A back-arching, toe-curling orgasm ripped through me like a bolt of lightning. I let out a primal cry of ecstasy.

“Good girl,” he said, giving me a sly smile as heaved himself up, revealing his erect cock.

I pulled him on top of me, allowing him to lower his throbbing erection into my slick cunt. He thrust in and out, stoking the flame of my desire.

“Don’t stop,” I said, burying my fangs into his shoulder.

He let out a cry of pleasure, hastening the pace of his thrusts.

Another orgasm grew in my core, demanding to be released, but Caiden wouldn’t let me, pinning my hands over my head.

“Oh, Trinity,” he exclaimed, his body going limp on top of me. “I’m sorry. I…”

I lay stunned at the man on top of me.

“It’s okay,” I said, kissing him on the forehead.

Blush colored his cheeks. “It’s just… I haven’t been with anyone since my wife. So, I’m a little out of practice. Let me finish you.”

I winced at the word “wife.”

“That’s okay.” I sat up, awkwardly pulling the blankets around me, regretting letting it go this far. We shouldn’t have let our feelings get the better of us.

“Aelia, I…” He fiddled with his thumbs. “I don’t know what to say.”

Running a soft hand down his square jaw, I gave him a loving glance. “You don’t have to say anything at all. The blame is on me.”

Caiden nervously mussed his hair. “I don’t know what came over me.”

I nuzzled my nose into the crook of his neck. “Lay down with me. We can try again in the morning.”

Something tugged at me from my sleep, but when I opened my eyes, only darkness surrounded me. The dying embers of the fire throwing their last bits of light. I tried to return to my slumber, but the tugging continued.Tug, tug, tug.

I pulled myself from Caiden’s warm embrace, wrapped myself in his coat, and went to investigate the source of my discomfort. It pulled me toward Caiden’s desk.

‘Aelia,’ a ghoulish voice whispered in my ear. ‘Aelia, my queen. I am here, waiting for you.’

“Who are you?” I whispered into the darkness.

‘I hover in between worlds, not fully alive, but not fully dead either. Only one who has been beyond the veil is worthy of commanding the dead.’

“What are you talking about?”

A drawer of Caiden’s desk popped open, revealing a leather box.

‘Open it,’the ancient voice commanded.

Shaking hands unclasped the golden latches, exposing the scepter made of a long bone with symbols I did not recognize engraved on its hilt.

‘Take it,’the voice commanded. ‘You are the only one who can command the dead.’The ruby eyes of the bird glowed.

“I don’t want it.” I tried to steady my voice.

‘You are my chosen one, Aelia Springborn. Prick your finger and bind us together until death do us part.’

Everything inside me told me to run, but part of me yearned for power. My whole life, I had been powerless. Unable to save my father, my sister, and myself. As commander of the Army of the Dead, I would be unstoppable.

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