Page 93 of Of Kings and Thieves

A muffled groan answered through the thick wood, the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. He was alive.

Killian leaned heavily against the wall, conjuring a ball of flame in his hand. The fire intensified until the wood began to smoke and char under its heat, and the door burst open in a shower of cinders.

And there, on the floor of an opulent bedchamber, was Col.

I flung myself at him, heedless of his injuries. Dropping to the floor, I hugged him and buried my face in his neck.

Col’s arms wrapped around me, crushing me to him with a desperation that matched my own. I lost myself in his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent and reveling in the solid beat of his heart against my cheek.

He pressed kisses along my hair, rough and tender all at once. Samara. Are you hurt?

Even in his suffering, his concern was for me. I drew back just enough to see him, relieved when my questing fingers found only a lump at the back of his head. When I investigated, I saw a vicious bruise forming, but the injury seemed minor.

I’m fine. You’re the one who’s injured, you reckless ass, I scolded him, though my thoughts held nothing but love.

He grinned, though it swiftly turned to a wince. A small price to pay for your freedom. Though I’d suffer far worse for you, my little siren, and count it a privilege.

Tears stung my eyes, but I looked around the room and at the door I’d just tried to tear down. And yet, who is rescuing who?

Col smiled and pulled me in to him. You can rescue me any day.

I surged up, capturing his lips with mine and pouring all the love and desire I held for this man into the kiss.

Col groaned, hands dropping to my waist and hauling me against him. Our bond thrummed between us, amplifying the passion we’d had to keep so closely leashed. I twined my arms around his neck, losing myself in his searing kisses and the heat of his body pressed to mine.

For once, no one dared utter a quip about our display. This was a reunion too long in coming. I was done hiding what Col meant to me. After so many weeks of fear and restraint, I felt free to love him openly and without reserve.

My fingers slid into his hair, scattering more of those illusory raven feathers that fluttered unnoticed to the ground. I poured my heart and soul into our embrace, seeking to erase the agony of our separation through touch and taste and teasing caresses. Col matched me kiss for kiss, urgency for urgency, unleashing the full force of his passion.

Someone cleared their throat pointedly, a subtle reminder we were not, in fact, alone. We broke apart, breathless, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and lingering desire.

The group chuckled at our expense, breaking the tension. And despite my racing heart and kiss-swollen lips, I found myself laughing with them, still wrapped in Col’s arms. Feeling whole, at last.

We stood, with Col tenderly touching the back of his head before looking at everyone with a hardened expression. “We must find those bitches Moredanea and The Harrow. Before the cowards flee and all this suffering is in vain.”

A growl of agreement rose from the group.

“And free Iron Deep from their tyrannical rule once and for all,” Melion added, baring his teeth.

“They won’t escape justice,” Col vowed.

Of course, first we had to find the scheming bastards before they slipped through our grasp...

Col’s gaze met mine, hazel eyes burning into me. “Stay close to me, my little siren. I’ll not lose you again.”

I nodded, squeezing his hand.

Melion’s claws were out, his eyes glowing yellow. “And where do we find our prey?”

Silence met his question, no one certain of The Harrow and his pet’s location. The castle was vast, and they could be barricaded anywhere within its walls.

“Dead?” I asked hopefully. “They could always be dead.”

Killian swayed on his feet, complexion ashen beneath his mask, which he removed so he could breathe better. Col clasped his shoulder, steering him to the bed in the corner of the room. “Rest. You’ve spent yourself protecting us, and we’ll need your strength for the coming fight.”

Killian nodded wearily, sinking down with his back against the pillows. The group moved to the center of the room to strategize, voices low.

“The great hall would be a likely place to start looking,” Kolvar said.

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