Page 117 of Burning Heir

“Stay the night,” he whispered. “Your room is not warded like mine.”

I nodded, touching his cheek, feeling that cool darkness quench my burn. Lightning streaked the sky, flames trailing through the clouds. We were chaos together, and I wondered what would happen if we got even closer.

His eyes drifted to my lips, our breaths ragged. His hand settled on the small of my back.

I pressed my cheek to his chest, letting the silence wrap around us as our quells danced.

Chaos. Beautiful chaos.

“What is this?” I asked desperately. “What is this between us?”

“Our bond, and the past ones within it,” he said softly. “This bond isn’t ours. It’s built on friendships and trust from before. The more time we spend together, the stronger it gets. And I… I don’t have the strength to stay away from you.”

“Then don’t,” I breathed. “We are friends.”

He chuckled, low and warm. “Friends. Well, a good friend wouldn’t keep you up before a trial.”

He stepped back into the shadows, and my hand fell to my side.

“Fine. Then be my mentor tonight. I’m simply seeking guidance before the trial.”

“As your mentor, I’m telling you to sleep. As someone bonded to your heartbeat, I’m begging you to rest.” There was a faint curve to his lips.

“Is that a demand, Serpent?” I asked, tilting my head.

Amusement crossed his features. “Sure, Severyn. My first demand as a Serpent is asking you to sleep in my bed. I must be a cruel leader.”

“The cruelest.” I pulled my riding leathers over my head, dropping them below my feet with a thud. “And that isn’t true. You demanded that I drop out of Skyfall.”

“Ah, and did you listen?”

My daggers dropped one by one as I unlatched the buckles. I swore it took everything in Archer not to drag his eyes from my body for the third time.

“No.” I shook my head. “But you were an ass about it.”

The shadow he stood in emptied. Soft rustles sounded from the bed, and Archer perched on the silk duvet behind me.

“I meant what I said, Severyn. We shouldn’t take this any further. I shouldn’t be—staring at you. I shouldn’t be contemplating shielding myself from you. I made a promise to protect you.”

“You’re allowed to demand things of me—allow me one.”

A ravenous desire burned in his gaze. “What is it,Severyn?”

“Tell me next time when you decide to leave for days.”

“Maybe I enjoy pissing you off, heating you,” he growled.

His fingers knotted in the loose buttons atop the sheets. He went to open my fist, circling my shadow relic. I arched into his soft touch.

“I can’t handle not knowing where you are on the Continent,” I said, my gaze lingering on his lips, which seemed to edge closer with every heartbeat.

He weighed my words with a dark, hungry look. “Once we bond, you can speak to me through it wherever I am.” His voice dipped, shadows curling around his shuttered breaths. His hands found mine, firm and deliberate. “Rider bonds allow no barriers. Once we bond, no shield you build will keep me out. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” My voice wavered, but my resolve held.

He pressed his palm to mine, and I gasped as smoke coiled around us. Heat blossomed, not just on my skin but deep in my chest.

“Oh—” His hand gripped the back of my knee as I reached for his jaw, my fingers skimming his stubble. The pull between us was unbearable, magnetic. I needed him—his lips, his touch.

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