Page 260 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Reylan undid her bonds after he let go of her neck. His pupils were blown wide and feral. He released her ankles, and Faythe couldn’t wait another moment.

She pushed him onto his back, straddling him and taking him inside her again. Faythe rocked her hips slowly, gathering herself back together from the climax and claiming he’d given her. She wanted to be fully present for this.

“I claim you, Reylan Arrowood. I have always been yours, and you will always be mine. No matter what forces try to come between us. It’s you and me.”

“Always,” he promised.

Faythe leaned in, closing her mouth around his neck near his collar. Her teeth pierced his flesh, an odd sensation, but the moment his blood trickled onto her tongue she was lost in him. She moaned at the divine taste—the single most delectable thing she would ever sample in her life.

Reylan thrust up into her, nearing his climax, and Faythe’s hand wrapped around his throat, needing it inside her the way his blood flowed down her throat.

With one final thrust he stilled, spilling himself, and she pulled out of his neck. Her thoughts spun. This kind of delirious high wobbled her balance, but Reylan caught her, lowering her beside him.

Her whole body tingled warmly, and within…a bright new thread pulsed.

Reylan idly traced her golden tattoos, which she’d only just noticed were glowing. “You are absolutely remarkable,” he said absentmindedly.

Faythe rolled onto her stomach, clasping her hands over his chest. “You’re quite remarkable yourself, general.”

A low groan vibrated in his throat. “I quite like it when you call me that.”

Faythe smiled coyly. “I know.”

Reylan pulled her up, hooking her leg over his hips. Her lust stirred again.

“Greedy,” she said, feeling him needy between her legs.

“You might want to cancel your plans for tomorrow.”

“We can’t,” she moaned as he kissed her neck. Though she really,reallywanted to.

“You might be pretty sore by the time I’m done with you tonight,” he said with gravel in his voice. Reylan’s tongue flicked over his fresh bite wound, and Faythe cried out at the sensitive sparks shooting precisely between her legs.

“Do your worst, general.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Faythe

Faythe was walking through the familiar halls of High Farrow’s castle, finding it strange to reflect on memories of a human who’d walked these steps adorned in the royal blue guard’s uniform. She felt so far detached from that life as the fae queen of Rhyenelle who was only a visitor in dire times now.

She’d been told Reylan had sent for her to join him in the throne room. An odd request. Until she rounded the corner past the doors and her walk slowed. Taking in the first face she saw, her steps quickened to a run, until she collided with Nik in the middle, swept off her feet in his arms.

“Thank Gods you’re alive,” Faythe whispered, so choked with emotion that came flooding out of her now.

“Oh Faythe…I’m so sorry?—”

She squeezed him tighter. “Not now,” she begged quietly.

If they talked about Marlowe now, she would break into more pieces than she had the strength to collect afterward.

Faythe embraced Tauria and Nerida, and even Tarly. With so much loss and damage to their morale, she was overwhelmed with this gift to have them all back.

Reylan stood near the dais with Kyleer, Izaiah, and Zaiana.

Nik curved an arm around Tauria. “I know you’ve all welcomed yourselves to our kingdom by now, but our home is yours. We have much to exchange and little time to rest, I’m afraid.”

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