Page 86 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

It’ll be even better once I get you inside.He kissed my forehead and then detangled himself, snagging the torch inside the door. He raked it against the stone wall, lighting the end, and led me down the stairs.

When we reached the bottom, he flew to the center of the gigantic room and lit the candles of the huge silver chandelier, his wings moving gracefully.

I moved to the center of the four oversized, dark-gray, oval couches and enjoyed the view from below. He scurried to the large rectangular wooden table and placed the torch against the side before coming back toward me.

“How many people can access this shelter?” I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to get some of the knots out of it. “Will Finnian figure it out and come here to torment us?”

“If he could, he would.” He laughed deeply. “But only I can open the door. It’s meant to be a safe haven for the royals, and it can sense Unseelie royal magic. Now that Eldrin is gone, it will work only for me.”

We were truly alone. No one could interrupt us. Desire swam through me. “Oh, really now? For once, we don’t have to be quiet or be careful where wecuddle?” I didn’t want to assume we’d make love… at least, not until he got some rest. He’d had a long night.

“Cuddle?” he choked, stalking toward me. “Thatison the agenda, but I was hoping for something else before we got to that.”

When he stood in front of me, I placed my hands on his chest and stood on my tiptoes. “Hmmm. And what might that be?”

Heat flooded our bond, and he hoisted me up against him, so I wrapped my legs around his waist. Wind hit my back for a second before I was pressed gently into a solid wall.

He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head, causing my breath to catch. When he leaned forward and captured my bottom lip between his teeth, I felt like I could explode.

I whimpered, needing more, and he slipped his tongue inside my mouth, his wintery taste teasing my senses.

Leaning to the side, he kept my wrists restrained with one hand as his other slipped under the top of my gown and cupped one of my breasts. When he gently rolled my nipple between his fingers, I leaned my head back. He didn’t miss a beat, moving in tandem with me.

Thorn,I linked and arched my back.

Blighted abyss, sprite. I blasting love the way you respond to my touches.He released my wrists and placed my feet on the floor before bending down and raising the hem of my gown. He slowly peeled it away, leaving me completely naked in front of him.

His eyes traced every inch of my body, and he reached down and adjusted his visible bulge. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his hand gently trailing down my side and cupping my ass. “And perfect in every way for me.”

Knowing we were both desperate and didn’t have much time, I reached for his clothes, eager to see him the same way. His irises lightened to my favorite color as I removed his shirt and pants. Once he was naked in front of me, I took in every delicious inch that I needed to feel inside me.

Not waiting for him to take the lead, I wrapped my hand around his dick and stroked him. He shuddered, crowding me against the wall and slipping his hand between my legs. With his mouth on my breast, his tongue teased the tip as his fingers entered me.

I love you.He brushed his teeth gently against my nipple, and I shuddered.And I can’t wait to make you my wife.

I quickened the pace, his words pushing me even closer than his touches.Is that your way of asking me to marry you?My other hand threaded through his dark hair and pulled gently.

As long as you say yes,he replied, his thumb rubbing between my lips as his fingers surged deeper.

The friction inside me built, causing my head to spin.“Tavish,” I breathed, his name the only thing that made sense to me. Just as I was about to fall over the edge, he stilled.

My body hummed, waiting for him to continue, but nothing happened.

I opened my eyes to find him staring right at me.

“Why’d you stop?” I asked through ragged breaths.

“You didn’t answer me,” he said simply.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. “What are you talking about? You never asked me a question.”

“Fine.” His hand cupped my face as his other one brushed against my lips again. “Will you marry me, sprite?”

If he wanted to play, two could do that. “I don’t know. I might need convincing.” I tilted my head.

He grinned.Oh, really?Gripping my ass, he hoisted me against him again, his dick hitting right at my entrance. I tried to push down so he could enter me, but he moved, so all I got was the tip.

“I need an answer,” he breathed against my lips as he slid a tad bit more inside me.

---