Page 145 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

Mal ignored her entirely, her gaze locked solely on Ash. The moment her eyes found him, everything else vanished.

She strode to the enormous bed, climbing onto it without hesitation, crawling forward like a huntress moving in for the kill. And then—before Ash could even open his mouth, before he could even think—she was on him, her hands cupping his face, her skin pressed against his own.

And just like that, the world ceased to exist.

There was only Mal.

HisMal.

‘His entire torso is bruised and he has two broken ribs,’ Alina scolded, her voice strained with irritation. ‘You cannot sit on him like that.’

Mal’s gaze flicked to her, a slow and deliberate glance, like a wolf assessing an insect. Her lips curved—not in amusement, but in something dangerous, something edged with darkamusement. ‘He ismyhusband. I shall sit on him however pleases me.’

Ash placed his hands over hers, attempting to soothe the tension coiling in the room. He had no interest in watching the two women snap at each other like territorial creatures.

‘Alina, I’m sorry. Thank you for e-everything,’ he said.

Mal grunted a quick, ‘Yes,thank you.’

‘So now I’m dismissed?’ Alina’s lips parted in disbelief. ‘Like aservant?’

‘Yes,’ Mal growled, her purple eyes gleaming like polished amethysts.

‘No, Alina. But I’d like a f-few hours with my w-wife.’

Alina’s spine went rigid, her jaw clenched. The words did not soothe her. Her golden slippers pivoted sharply against the stone floor, her fury tangible in the way she stalked towards the exit. She did not look back. The doors slammed behind her with a resounding crack.

Ash exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. His sister had never reacted this way before. Why was she so angry? She had always known Mal would be there, by his side. Surely, she understood that he had been unconscious for days, that heneededthis moment.

‘She doesn’t know how to share you.’

Ash pulled a face. ‘I do not like the di-directionthatis taking.’

Mal rolled her eyes. ‘Your sister’s entire purpose in life has been to take care of you. Now I’ve taken that away from her. It must not be easy, to spend your life having a purpose that is suddenly ripped out of your hands. You are suddenly left standing in this unknown void, worried that perhaps you may never find purposeagain.’

‘But she…’

Mal smiled sweetly and leaned in, her breath warm against his lips. ‘I have asked you before, Ash Acheron, if you have ever asked your sister what shewants. Perhaps now she will finally find it.’

Ash’s heart squeezed at the thought. Was it true? Had his sister’s entire purpose in life been to take care of him? Had he ripped her of it by marrying? He knew he had, but a part of him thought that perhaps she would findsomethingthat would give her meaning.

‘I w-will help her f-find it,’ he said. ‘If she cannot find it her-herself.’

Mal brushed her thin lips against his own. ‘No, Ash. That is not for you to do. She must find her own purpose in life. It is a lonely road, but one we must all embrace by ourselves. For if not, how will we truly know it is ours?’

Ash let his hands trail up her thighs. He needed to feel her—to remind himself that she was real.

He sat up despite the protests of his ribs, ignoring the pain, ignoring everything but the woman straddling his lap. Mal did not stop him, did not tell him to rest. Instead, she ran her fingers through his golden hair, combing it gently, as if she too needed to touch him to believe he was still there.

He could sit like this for eternity.

The entire world could end, and he would not care, as long as she remained here—like this.

‘You a-are beautiful, Mal Bla-Blackburn,’ he whispered, his voice rough with desire. Mal’s lips curved, but she did not speak. She did not have to. Ash could see it in her eyes, in the way she tilted her head ever so slightly, in the way her fingers skimmed over his skin like fire and ice combined.

He was drowning in her.

She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his, slow andteasing, until his patience snapped. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, losing himself in the taste of her, in the way she melted against him.

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