Page 29 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“There won’t be a blasting next time.” I flew over Lira’s head, about to stab the wildling in the throat.

My mate grabbed my boot and yanked me back down to the floor. Pain flashed through the bond, reminding me of her injury, and I bit back a snarl, not liking her protecting him.

Before I could move toward him once more, she cupped my face with her hands.

“Tavish, stop. I hung on to his shoulders, and he just held my waist, trying not to touch me. Nothing nefarious happened, and the contact was as minimal as possible.” The normal warmth in her eyes vanished, making the color turn navy. “It wouldn’t have even happened if you hadn’t left me behind, which is one reason I had that pointed conversation with you earlier. If you’re going to be mad at someone, you should stare at your reflection.”

The jolt of our connection grounded me, but the need for violence still lingered in the back of my mind. “No other man should touch you,” I rasped. “You’remine.”

“That won’t be a problem if you stick with our agreement.” She arched a brow. “And of course I’m yours. The whole time,both Struan and I were ready for the situation to be over.” She shuddered like the memory was a nightmare.

Somehow, that made me feel better.

“I didn’t enjoy it at all.” Struan placed a hand over his chest. “I swear, and I hope to never touch her again.”

His words thawed my anger, but the urge to stab him on principle clung to me, making me feel more like the man I’d been before Lira and I completed our bond. I exhaled, trying to center myself, and sheathed the sword.

Struan’s shoulders sagged, and he leaned his head against the wall.

“This is your one pass.” I spoke the words through clenched teeth.

Excuse you.Lira dropped her hands to her sides and arched a brow.

Of course, she’d be here to bind my wings if I stepped out of line. I should’ve known that I wouldn’t get anything past her. “Because there won’t be a need to do something like that again.” For the past twelve years of my life, I’d refused to allow anyone to speak to me the way Lira did, but with her, everything was different. She was my other half. And blighted abyss, she held me accountable for everything. I wouldn’t change that for the realm, though sometimes it was tiring.

Lira smiled, and I could sense how proud she was of me.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Struan rolled his shoulders, and his wings relaxed.

Now that the tension was resolved, Lira began swaying. I wanted to lecture her, but it wouldn’t accomplish anything. I hated how she always risked her own well-being for others, but in this instance, I understood completely. She wanted to retrieve Eiric, and I refused to allow Pyralis to capture Lira, so we needed a strong team behind us.

Still, I couldn’t let Struan get away with touching my mate. As I took her hand, preparing to carry her to our room, I shifted in front of Struan and punched him in the chin. I didn’t use all my strength, but I needed to leave a mark so no one else believed they could go unpunished for touching Lira.

His head jerked back, and black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He rubbed his jaw and winced but didn’t say a thing.

Lira cut her eyes at me and frowned.I thought we agreed.

We did.I kissed her cheek, hating the look she’d given me.I didn’t stab or kill him.

Are you going to punch me then?She pursed her lips.

Fate, no. You were worried about me, so even though I’m not thrilled about what you did, I understand why you did it.I bent down and picked her up gently, treating her like the precious gift that she was.

I looked at Struan. “It’s over now. You don’t need to hide from me anymore.”

“Good to know, My King.” Struan smirked. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. This actually brings comfort to me.”

Lira turned her body toward me, the side of her face touching my chest and heightening the buzz of our connection. She grumbled,I’ll never understand men.

The corners of my mouth tilted upward.We’re actually quite simple, sprite. And sometimes, a punch is what’s needed to put the issue behind us.

I headed out of the bedchamber and took flight in the hallway, heading back to our room. Our bond cooled slightly, informing me even before her breathing leveled that she’d fallen asleep.

Today, my wings had strengthened more than I expected, and I was able to make it back to our room in seconds. I wasn’t surprised when I entered the room and found Nightbane lying atthe bottom of the bed. That seemed to be the spot the cù-sìth had claimed in the castle, and I wouldn’t shoo him out because of his loyalty to Lira. He would die to protect her. I’d never dreamed a beast could care about a fae even half as much as he did her.

I placed her gently on the bed, making sure that her injured wings didn’t get crushed underneath her. She needed her rest to recover and heal her own body. I didn’t want to contemplate what would happen if Pyralis came back and tried to take her again. She was too weak to fight him. That was one reason that I’d provided her with the sword that lay against her hip as she slept.

My lungs expanded uncomfortably, my heart feeling as if it were too big for my chest. I’d never understood the stories of how much fated mates cared for each other. Some claimed that love was the greatest and most painful experience of all, and that hadn’t made sense until she’d walked back into my existence.

---