Page 116 of The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating

The bird preened under his attention, then flew back to me, settling on my shoulder. I reached up to stroke its shimmering feathers with a fingertip. “I didn’t use life force this time.”

He trailed his gaze along the shredded skirt exposing my legs, the scorched sleeves leaving my arms bare. A darker hunger sparked in his eyes. “Yes,” he said, voice turning rough, “you used only your essence… and it’s incredible.”

Suddenly self-conscious, I let the bird dissolve. “It’s easier now, without the suppression runes. I’m not even tired.”

“They were draining you more than you realized,” he said. ‘The runes were probably built that way.”

Fresh anger flared in my chest. “My father really did think of everything.”

“Not everything.” Kazimir held out his hand to me. “He didn’t account for me.”

I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine, the quiet strength in his grip. I suddenly realized I had no idea how much time had passed. The windows high above showed only darkness. “What time is it?”

“Nearly midnight.” He gave my arm a light tug. “Come on. You should rest, even if you don’t think you need it.”

“Is that concern I hear, Lord Blackrose?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Practical advice,” he corrected, but there was a warmth in his eyes. “I have plans for you that require a certain level of... stamina.”

Heat bloomed in my cheeks, spreading down my neck. “Oh?”

“Mmm.” He tugged me closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “Very specific plans.”

My stomach chose that moment to growl.

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “When did you last eat?”

I shrugged. “Breakfast, I think.” The memory felt distant, as if it belonged to another day entirely.

“Unacceptable.” He tugged me toward the spiral staircase. “You need food.”

“Fine,” I said. “But I want a bath first. I smell like smoke and sweat.”

He leaned in, inhaling the air near my neck. The proximity made my pulse jump. “I like the way you smell after training. It reminds me of battlefields.”

“That’s... disturbing.”

“Is it?” He smiled against my skin. “Flames, sweat, victory. It’s intoxicating. I’ve barely been able to stand not telling you.”

A throb of longing pulsed through my body. My fingers curled against his chest, feeling the quick drumming of his heart.

“Bath,” I insisted. “Then food.”

“As my lady commands.”

48

CONTEMPLATE DESTINY (WHILE YOUR VILLAIN SLEEPS)

ARABELLA

Our chambers had been scrubbed and polished by the time we returned, almost unrecognizably tidy, with an odd layer of coziness layered over the usual gloom. Gone were the scattered feathers, and even the finger bones that once decorated Kazimir’s desk had vanished. Many of the ancient, ominous-looking books had disappeared as well—removed “for safety,” Kaz had explained. In their place stood a small vase of non carnivorous flowers and a few new plush cushions around the seating area.

It wasn’t too bad, overall. Maybe I’d spend more time here.

After our baths, we ate sitting cross-legged on the massive bed. I watched him over the rim of my wine glass. Even still-damp, Kazimir Blackrose radiated danger. It was in the coiled strength of his body, and the casual grace with which he wielded his knife and fork as if they could become weapons at any moment.

I noticed the faint red glow pulsing beneath the skin of his wrist, visible only for a moment before his arm moved. The runes were more active tonight, which usually meant he’d beenchanneling excessive magic. The cause wasn’t too difficult to determine, considering all the effort it’d taken him to stop me from bringing the tower down around us.

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