Page 105 of Of Kings and Thieves

He grasped my hips and pulled me flush against him, and I sighed at the sensation of his hardness pressed to my belly. “Insatiable as always,” I teased.

“For you, my love, I will always hunger,” Col growled as he peppered my skin with kisses.

I tipped my head toward the ceiling to give him better access to my neck.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are in this light?” he asked against my skin, his voice low and sensual.

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I quipped, my cheeks flushing with pleasure at his words.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, his voice heavy with lust as he looked up at me from beneath hooded eyes.

“You. Fuck me again.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

A few hours later, the golden cords were still tied around the table legs, abandoned as Col and I found other ways to pleasure each other. The cords made my cheeks flush with heat, a vivid reminder of how Col had bound me there, utterly at his mercy. My body tingled with echoes of pleasure and passion as I watched him stride into the tower, muscles flexing beneath a fresh tunic, a predatory gleam in his hazel eyes.

Fuck, but he was irresistible.

Col slid into the seat beside me at the table, the heat of his body seeping into mine as his fingers traced featherlight patterns over the inside of my wrist. My heart skipped a beat, thundering against my ribs. His touch ignited a slow burn in my veins, awakening a hunger I feared might never be sated. Col chuckled, the sound a low rumble in his chest that I felt more than heard.

Careful, love, or I might have to take you right here on the table. Again.

A flush crept over my skin at the thought, my thighs clenching with need. Col’s eyes darkened, nostrils flaring as he scented my arousal. The cords around my wrists might be gone, but I was utterly ensnared by this man. Not that I minded in the least.

With a sigh, I leaned in to brush my lips over the strong column of his throat. I nipped at his pulse point, relishing his sharp intake of breath.

The others began to file in then, shattering the heated moment. Scarlet shot us a knowing smirk while Magnus pretended not to notice the state Col and I were in, though we’d had time to wash and make ourselves presentable. Melion merely rolled his eyes, muttering something about “insatiable lovebirds” under his breath. I hid my smile against Col’s shoulder, not bothering to deny the truth in Melion’s words.

We gathered around the table to eat and discuss the recovered alicorn horn powder, a weapon of terrifying power now in our possession.

Killian explained his theory about why the powder had burned when Bloodsong had ignited it. “It’s tied to you becoming the Iron Raven, I’m sure of it, but I can’t explain how.”

“Can we set the rest of it on fire?” I asked.

The mage shook his head. “Earlier, while others were occupied elsewhere—” he glanced at Col and me “—I tried to burn the remainder. But I couldn’t get it to ignite, no matter what spell I used. The vial protects the powder, which is why some of it was spared. But even when I removed some from the vial, it simply wouldn’t burn.”

The vial did protect it through magic, as I had guessed. This danger was too immense to ignore. I only hoped we could find a way to destroy it before it fell into the wrong hands.

But others had a different thought as to what should be done with the weapon, and voices rose in argument around the table, with suggestions ranging from using it as a deterrent against The Harrow to destroying it entirely.

I stared at the innocuous vial. Such power should not exist, let alone be wielded by any mortal. “We can’t keep this,” I said, grasping Col’s hand beneath the table.

Through our bond, I felt the flicker of his agreement. “Samara’s right,” he said, stilling the arguing voices. “This weapon is too dangerous, the temptation for misuse too strong. We must find a way to destroy it.”

Scarlett’s frown deepened. “If The Harrow were to get his hands on this again—”

“All the more reason it can’t remain in this world,” Col interrupted. “We can’t guard it day and night, and The Harrow has proven he can infiltrate even our strongest defenses. Its mere existence poses a threat as long as there are those who would use it.” Col gave my hand a gentle squeeze, sending waves of warmth and reassurance through our bond. “We will find a way to destroy it. I won’t allow such a threat to remain.”

Magnus snorted. “Some of us would like to see The Harrow pay for what he’s done, and what better way than to use his own weapon against him?”

“Vengeance won’t undo the damage already caused,” Kolvar said. “Destroying the weapon is the safest path. Do not let your anger blind you to reason.”

Scarlett bristled at the elf’s words. “You’d like us to simply forgive and forget, I suppose? As if it’s that easy.”

“No one is asking you to forget,” Kolvar replied calmly. “But destroying the weapon will prevent further bloodshed. That is a far greater victory than any act of vengeance.”

Silvius paused with a bread roll halfway to his mouth, eyeing us over the table. “Not to interrupt a lively debate, but has anyone considered whether we even can destroy the damned thing? Magic that powerful isn’t so easily undone, as Killian proved today.”

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