Page 71 of Bride of the Black Dragon
If I had the key, I’d tear it off with my bare hands.
I wish again that I hadn’t put it back. But Prince Dorian would have found it when he searched me and I might not have gotten to see Xaren at all.
“Come on,” I whisper, guiding him to the cot. “Let me help you.”
“What are you doing, little dove?” His voice is dazed. It’s like he’s drugged…or dying.
I push the awful thought aside and reach for the laces at the front of my gown, yanking them open with trembling fingers. The bodice loosens and the silk falls away, pooling at my feet. I’m left in nothing but my stockings. The Queen didn’t allow me to wear underthings—of course she didn’t. I’m here to fuck, after all—just as she said. Why should I be allowed any modesty?
I kneel to strip Xaren’s trousers away and push him gently back onto the thin mattress of the cot.
“What…what are you doing to me?” he asks again.
“I’m warming you up,” I say fiercely. “Now help me—put your arms around me and get close!”
He does, slowly, as I crawl on top of him, my bare body pressing down against his. He’s so big beneath me, but it’s like lying on marble—cold and unyielding. His body temperature is much lower than anything a living human should have but I snuggle closer, even though pressing against him makes me shiver.
My efforts seem to be having some effect. His arms wrap around me fully and he hugs me close.
“Gods,” he whispers into my hair. “Your soft little body…it’s so warm.”
I bury my face in his neck, inhaling deeply.
At first there’s nothing. No scent.
But then…a hint.
The faintest breath of spice…of leather and smoke.
He’s coming back. I can feel it. I can smell it.
I press closer, rubbing against him. His skin is warming beneath mine—flesh is replacing stone.
“Hold me tighter,” I murmur, lifting my head to look into his eyes.
And there it is—that glow. That impossible, beautiful molten gold. His Drake’s eye is alive again. Dim but present.
I’m bringing him back!
He hugs me tighter and I can feel the firmness in his arms. His strength is returning.
“Oh, little dove,” he whispers, his deep voice breaking. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.”
“I missed you too,” I whisper back, brushing my lips over his jaw.
And that’s when I notice it—there’s heat building inside me.
Not just the warmth of hope or love. No, this is different.
This is fire.
What I feel is a pulsing, spreading heat that coils in my belly and slips between my thighs. My breath quickens and my skin is flushed. Every inch of me begins to tingle and throb with a kind of unbearable pressure.
What’s happening to me?
I don’t know it yet…but the tea is beginning to work.
And before my time with Xaren is up, it might just kill me.
