Page 69 of Clash of Storms
I never said they were fairy tales.
I told him they were books.
How did he know they were fairy tales?
The thump of her heart wouldn't stop quickening. There was only one way for Sirius to know which books her admirer had sent her.
"Did you not?" he asked, as smooth as cool silk. Turning away from her, he picked up a log to dump into the fire. "I'm certain you did."
"Sirius." She had to know. "How did you know they were fairy tales?"
"A lucky guess."
"Sirius."
He turned to face her, stillness creeping over his expression, as if he locked down every part of himself that might be vulnerable. "Because I gave them to you."
It changed everything.
Malin's breath caught, as she tried to work her way through the sudden chaos whirling through her mind. She had the horrible sensation she'd never breathe properly again. TheBlackfrostwas her admirer?
"But... why?"
His words came out clipped and bitten out. "What do you want me to say? I saw you one day, sitting in front of a group of drekling children. You were reading a book to them, a story about the mighty Beirammon, who was slain by Alvar when he dared to kidnap a shepherdess. Your entire face lit up, and your voice rose and fell with each blow of Alvar's sword, each roar Beirammon gave. None of the children dared breathe. I couldn't look away. It was the first time I'd ever heard so much passion in your voice. They all screamed when thedrekilunged at Alvar at the end and you laughed. You did all these voices, growling out Beirammon's words with such glee." He looked away, the flare of his nostrils delineating some internal dilemma. "The books... It was never planned. I was in Oslo to meet with King Harald one day. I don't know why it caught my eye, but there was a bookstore there and in the window was a copy ofMyth and Magic. I knew you would like it."
"You bought it forme?" She barely dared put the concept into words.
"My mother used to read to me. A long time ago, before my father broke their mating contract. Hearing you read to the children reminded me of her." He scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck. "I liked to listen to your stories too."
"But why... why did you not say something?"
What had he said about her admirer?
"Perhaps he can't? Perhaps he doesn't dare?"
She'd spent so many years avoiding him, or playing their petty games. She'd considered him an evil, vicious thug of his father's, when all along he'd been the one leaving books at her door.
She didn't know him at all.
Sirius's smile cut like a knife. "Because you want a kind, gentle lover. Not adrekiprince."
"You didn't know that."
"It's written all over you." He bowed his head. "You've never looked at me the way you do now."
"I never knew you," she whispered. All those books. All those years. The pressure in her chest intensified as she looked at him.
"And now?"
"I cannot help wonder.... Why me?" she stammered.
"Did you think I kissed you yesterday because you fled from me?" Sirius took a slow step toward her, his eyes locked on her face. "I've wanted to kiss you for years, sweet Malin. I want to do more than that. I want to ruin you, the way you've ruined me."
Malin took a slight step back. It was as though the revelation removed all of his reins. This was the barbarian, heat gleaming in his eyes. This was the dark, wicked prince, who wanted nothing more than to throw her down upon his bedroll and... what had he called it? Ruin her.
Her heartbeat started pounding slickly between her thighs.
There was a rather large part of her that wanted to say,that sounds perfect.
