Page 178 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Shayan’s lips tug into a smirk. Before I can complain further, he grabs my face and pulls me into a kiss.
It comes so unexpectedly I don’t know how to react and just cling to him like I’m a helpless virgin. Well, technically, I am a virgin, but I’m not helpless. Not at all. I’m a strong, capable, warrior!
When Shayan pulls me into his chambers, I forget about being strong, and capable. My wolf, Orion, almost makes a backflip out of excitement, turning from a strong warrior to a tail-wagging pup.
Whatever he wants, say yes!Orion blurts out.
No way!
Yes way,Orion growls.I want the man now, and I want to mark him.
Mark him? Hearing Orion say these magical words makes me realize how far away from a successful relationship I am. Goddess! Shayan has no idea what it means to be with me. I want to mark him… but why would he even let me?
Shayan notices me freezing up and takes a step back. “Too fast?” he asks me worriedly.
“What, no!” I blurt out. “It’s not too fast at all. It’s just-” I groan.
“Do you want something to eat?” Shayan asks. “Food is your love language, after all.”
“No, no, I’m not hungry.”
“Maybe tea?”
“No.”
“Do you want to-”
“I want to mark you,” I blurt out. Wow, Subtlety, you have a new name: Tynan. “I mean,” I hurry to explain. “It doesn’t need to be now. I just… that’s what I want in the long run. With you. Forever.” I pause, feeling terrified all of a sudden that he won’t want me. “I want to be with you.”
“Of course,” Shayan says. When I stare at him, he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Do you think I don’t know what it means to be mates with a werewolf?”
My mouth drops open, while my wolf makes unintelligible sounds. “Of course you know,” I sigh. I’m so stupid. Why wouldn’t he know? Ita told me that Shayan visited plenty of times before Princess Azadeh arrived, to make sure the deal was sealed and everything prepared for her. And, he is an intelligent man. He used to be a freaking spy. Of course he came prepared. “I just didn’t know if you were… well… into it.”
“I am,” Shayan says, leaning against the dresser in his room. “Anything else you want to discuss?”
No, go and get him,Orion growls.
He doesn’t need to tell me twice. I stride towards him swiftly, trapping him in my arms. Shayan seems to be amused but doesn’t tease me. He reaches out his hands to touch my face. His bionic arm feels cold, but not uncomfortably so. My gaze wanders towards it, fascinated by the intricate design. It’s nothing like anything we have here in the kingdom. It’s a very delicate looking yet sturdy design, and is attached to Shayan’s nerves, giving him almost full mobility.
Shayan notices my interest and moves his arm a bit. “If it turns you off, I can take it off.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I like everything about you.” My words make Shayan smile, helping me get bolder. “Can I look at it? Can I touch it?”
“Of course.”
“How come it looks so beautiful? I don’t know much about this, but the materials feel…metallic.”
“King Naseem, Azadeh’s father, had it made for me,” Shayan explains. “We used to be very close… friends.”
Something about the way he said the last part makes my stomach clench. He was with a king before and now he is with me? Talk about downgrading.
“I said, I used to be,” Shayan guesses my thoughts correctly and pulls me out of them. “To an extent, your possessiveness is adorable, but I don’t think it really has a place here.”
He is even hot when he reprimands us,Orion claims.
“Sorry,” I say. “It’s just…”
“I know,” Shayan says. “It’s been a long time. As for the arm, the fae made it.”
