Page 75 of Clash of Storms
"Stubbornandproud," he pointed out, with the faintest of smiles.
Damn him. Malin pushed to her feet and circled the fire. "What would you know? You've never had to fight for anything in your life. You'redreki. You have no reason to doubt yourself. You were born into this world as a prince. You wouldn't have a single idea what it's like to fight for the right to even exist."
His smile vanished.
And Malin tipped her chin up. Pride. Wretched pride. She'd hurt him somehow, though she couldn't see how.
"Come here," Sirius said in a smoky voice, offering her his hand.
Malin eyed it dubiously. "Why? What are you planning?"
"I thought I'd throw you off the cliff," he replied. "It's one way to relieve myself of this little problem."
Not an inch of his expression revealed any hint he was joking.
But she was growing used to the way this dangerous prince's mind worked.
She trusted him. What a strange sensation, somewhat akin to the breathlessness she'd felt when she flew.
"If I'm such a burden, you should have taken your chances to get rid of me today," she told him. The calluses of his hands warmed her. "You had me right where you wanted me."
"Oh no, sweet Malin. Having you on my back is nowherenearwhere I want you."
Gah. Every damned time he flirted with her, her brain turned to mush and her skin grew all tingly. Somehow she had to fortify her will. He belonged to the princess. He wasn't hers. He'd never be hers.
When had she begun to crave such a thing?
"It's the closest you're ever going to get to being between my thighs."
Sirius curled his middle finger up, stroking her palm as if he simply couldn't resist touching her. Malin jerked her hand back, but he captured her fingertips.
"Have you not realized you should never challenge adrekimale?"
He was using his bedchamber voice again. The one that shivered all the way through her.
"I've been challenging you ever since we met."
His answering smile made her breath catch. "Yes. You have. Take my hand."
"Why?"
"Because I want to see if I can reach thedrekiwithin you."
Malin froze.
"There is nodrekiwithin me. I've tried."
"Malin, I just watched you meld Fire. There's something there."
A burst of irritation washed over her. She shook her head. "No."
"Afraid to try? The girl who froze each and every night for years wouldn't be afraid to try. I'm offering to teach you."
It was one thing to fail by herself. Another to have someone else see it.
"I won't laugh if you fail, Malin. And if you do, then we shall merely try again. But if you never try, then you shall never know."
Damn him.
