Page 51 of Kiss the Filthiest King

And then I stare in horror. My hands are around her throat, but that's not what's terrifying. It's hardly the first time I've choked her, and so far, she's liked it. But there are shadows surrounding us, my power pushing away everyone who attempts to get close as red energy gathers between my palms.

I'm killing her.

My hands, my power, but also the devastating Undoing I never even tried to wield are all focused on destroying my mate, my queen, my Darina.

I grunt with the force it takes me to let go, and stare in shock at my own two hands, still filled with power.

Her eyes are brilliant white, no pupils, and she's also called to her own magic, pushing gold strands of power right to my chest.

She's killing me, too.

And I let her.

"Darina!" Loch now screams. "Let him go. Darina, come back to us. It's not you!"

That much is clear.

They waited until our first unguarded moment, when we were both asleep and too tired to push back. Then they struck, eager to destroy each other, and us along with them.

"Ryther, do something! Can you imagine what it'd do to her, to wake up and realize she's destroyed you? Stop her!" her brother demands.

And damn if he doesn't have a point.

"Darina," I whisper, not quite trusting myself.

My hands are trembling when I bring them to her cheek, and slowly lower my mouth to her forehead, while she still pulses raw power right at my core, trying to unmake me.

I catch the sudden sharp intake of breath.

"What the hell?" she yells. "What was that? What was I doing?"

"We, not you," I manage to say, closing my eyes.

I can't believe I underestimated the All and Undoing. Of course they weren't content to simply make us occasionally pissed at each other. They were far too eager to take the deal I offered. They knew they could assert their wills.

Loch sighs deeply. "Oh, you guys are going to be the death of me. Truly, it would have been a kindness to stab me two days ago. Icannot."

"What happened?" she whispers.

Loch has found the queen's liquor stash, and downs two glasses before thinking to serve us, too.

"I was about head to bed, when I heard some shouting in a language I don't understand over here. That shouldn't be possible; the Hollow is spelled with heartspeech." For Darina's benefit, he explains, "All should understand each other through their hearts, no matter what language they use here. I got nosy enough to come see what's up and found you in the process of attempting to obliterate each other, and likely, the rest of the world with you."

He's on his third glass now. "I've never felt such power."

"Oh, fuck."

She can say that again.

"What do we do now?"

"No sleepovers, for one. I also think iron shackles would be appropriate at this point."

I nod. "There should be a pair in the dungeons. I'll call for some."

"Two pairs," Loch amends. "And constant supervision. You both need to be on a short leash. Congratulation. You're now twelve years old and no longer allowed in the same bedroom without the door open."

I hate that he's right.

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