Page 75 of To Wake a Kingdom

“Why is she so fixated on you?” Ronan took my hand between his.

I shook my head.“I wish I knew.”

We fell into silence. Another storm had driven everyone indoors, and the room was loud and full of boisterous chatter. It almost felt normal. Like life actually could go on and this state of perpetual emptiness had an ending somewhere.

Something chipped away at the numb shell I was encased in.

“Is it safe in Estria?” The question had been at the back of my mind for days. I was now the queen of a rival kingdom. A small one comprised of no one but me, but it was a kingdom, nonetheless. There were people still loyal to Ravalyn out there.

Ronan shifted, clearly not comfortable with the question. “I don’t know where else you’ll be safer right now.”

I nodded. It wasn’t entirely an answer, but it would have to do. “You could be inviting something very dangerous into your home because of me.”

He took my hand, pressing it to his heart. “It’s yours now too. Everything that is mine is yours. If I have to call on every man who has pledged their life to me and my army to protect you, I will do it.”

I didn’t want anyone else dying for me, but it was no use arguing with him. For now, Estria made the most sense.

We finished our meal in silence, Ronan never letting go of my hand.

My small room was cozy and dark. Dominated by a large bed pushed up against the far wall, it was covered in a cheerful blue and white quilt, stitched with hundreds of tiny squares. A fire crackled against the opposite wall, chasing away the chilled edges of travel.

I changed into my robe and warmed my hands by the fire.

Someone knocked, and Ronan popped the door open a crack.

“Are you okay? Can I get you anything?” He had taken a separate room. I hadn’t asked why, but I assumed it was to give me whatever space I needed.

But looking at him, I didn’t want space. Not from him. He loved me and I loved him, and nothing had felt more right or true in my life. I took his hand and pulled him inside the room, shutting the door.

His expression was part sadness, part concern, but all of it was brimming with hope and love.

Arms circling his neck, I rose on tiptoes and kissed him.“Stay with me, Ronan.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, if you want to.”

“I want nothing more. I only want to be with you. Tell me what you need. I’m here for you.” His hands circled my waist, and I kissed him again.

My skin let out a sigh as his hands ran down my back. I hadn’t lost Ronan.

Our kiss started out tender and sweet, but his hands fisted into the fabric of my robe, and it shifted into ribbons of fire, searing and untamed, whipping around us like a winter squall. I pushed him against the wall, devouring his mouth and his throat and the smooth golden skin bared by the open collar of his shirt.

As I reached for the laces of his pants, he grabbed my hands. “Thorne.”

“I need you,” I breathed. He held onto my wrists, desire and longing sparking in his eyes.He was practically vibrating, but he was being so careful. It only made me want him more, and I didn’t want him to be careful.“Make me feel something other than this endless despair, Ronan. Please.”

Slowly, I untied my robe and slipped it off my shoulders, letting it pool on the floor. The heat of his gaze traced every one of my movements, a hand absently rubbing his chin as though he was imagining every thing he planned to do to me. He was pure hunger and raw energy, and I knew then I’d never tire of him looking at me that way.

“You make me insane,” he said so low that it was nearly a growl.

He closed the space between us, his lips crashing into mine, his tongue entering my mouth like a man desperate for his last sips of water. I returned his kiss, but it wasn’t just a kiss—it was a promise and a wish and the sum total of my love for him.

I slid my hands under his shirt, moaning at the feel of his fevered, muscled skin. After pulling it over his head, my mouth pressed to the center of his chest and I dragged my tongue down, tracing the carved lines of his stomach. My nails scratched the cut of the angled muscle that dipped under his waistband as I fell to my knees. His head tipped against the wall while I unlaced his pants and pulled out his erect cock.

As I stroked him with my hand, he moaned. “Fuck. That feels amazing.” When I placed the tip of him into my mouth and sucked, I felt the exhale of his entire body shuddering in response. Slowly, I dragged my tongue up the back and then drew as much of him into my mouth as I could, his hips thrusting and his cock hitting the back of my throat.

He moaned as he drew out and slid back in, one hand gathering my hair at the back of my head. He gripped it tight, his dark eyes burning and his hips pumping.

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