Page 125 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
His name was a plea on her lips. Didn’t she remember what that did to him? The effect she had on him when?—
Fuck.
Graeson groaned and closedhis eyes as she bit her bottom lip. This woman would be the end of him.
Then again, he wouldn’t want it any other way.
When he opened his eyes and a slight gasp slipped from her lips, he knew she could see the beast within him, the dragon that lived inside him, begging to come out. He brushed his knuckles along the side of her calves as he made his way up her legs. Goosebumps peppered her skin in the wake of his touch.
"We shouldn’t," he warned, pressing a light kiss to her thigh, his gaze never leaving hers.
Her lashes fluttered across the tops of her cheeks. "You’re right, but…"
"But?" he prompted, his exploration stopping and his hands halting right above the backs of her knees.
She smirked down at him. "But I?—"
A crash sounded from the door. They both jerked around and snatched their hands away from each other.
"Shit, I—I’m sorry," Moris blurted as he crouched and picked up the pieces of a shattered bowl. "I didn’t know you two were…were doing whatever it is you were doing." His wings smacked into the wall as he reached for a ceramic shard.
"You’re fine. We were just—" Kalisandre hesitated, a blush heating her cheeks in the most delectable way.
Graeson cleared his throat. "I was helping her with the wrapping."
"Of course, of course. That’s exactly what it looked like, not something else," Moris said, gathering the remaining shards and standing. "Maybe you should just," he cleared his throat, "do that in a more private place than the living room? We wouldn’t want the old man to see." Moris scurried out of the room. The sharptinkof shards bouncing on the ground echoed down the hall, followed by a whispered curse.
Graeson shook his head and leaned onto his heels. He returned his attention to Kalisandre.
She had buried her face in her hands, and through her fingers, she mumbled, "By the gods."
Graeson tried to hide his amusement. He was not easily embarrassed. He had thought Kalisandre wasn’t either, but the current situation was proving otherwise.
"Want me to re-wrap this?"
"Please," she said with a nod. She peered through her fingers. "And quickly. Menz will kill us if more dishes break."
Chapter 50
MYRA
Myra had forgottenhow dark and cold the Frenzian castle was because of the lack of windows. Scattered candles lit the quiet halls, casting an eerie glow across the floors. As her gaze swept over the stone walls, she missed the beautiful stained glass of Tetria. Silently, they crept down the hall.
When the heavy rhythm of footfalls sounded around the corner, Laurince pulled them into a nearby alcove. The tight fit was snug for the three of them, but they slipped inside it. Myra tried not to think about who she was touching—or possiblywhatshe was touching. With no room to move, there was no point in worrying about it. Laurince’s breath was warm on her neck, his exhales blowing gently across the tip of her head and sending stray strands of blonde hair flitting in the air. A piece stuck to her mouth. She tried to blow it away, but the sound felt like a thunderous crack in the silence as they waited for whoever it was to pass.
The footsteps paused, and Myra wasn’t sure if any of them were breathing anymore.
Sweat dribbled down her back, soaking the top of her shirt. Steeling her nerves and forgetting the annoying strand of hair,Myra reached out and grabbed the unfamiliar loose thread twisting in the air. Suspicion laced the string of emotions. With a deep breath, she squashed it as if it was a bug.
The steps continued down the hall, passing the hallway they were hiding in. When the steps faded in the distance, they all sagged in relief, exhaling simultaneously.
"Nice work, Haze," Laurince whispered in her ear as they filed out of the alcove.
With her power dancing at her fingertips, Myra beamed at the praise.
Laurince grabbed Myra’s hand and pulled her forward, leading them in the opposite direction of the stranger.
As Myra followed him, the corners of her mouth turned down when a strange feeling washed over her. Laurince and Rian’s emotions spun around her, and she tried to push past them. Goosebumps scaled her skin as she dug deeper. She choked on a gasp and reached out to warn the others, but she was a moment too late.
