Page 186 of The Stolen Throne
They weren’t kidding about newly bound mates.
“I would love to try to use my power to bring you pleasure like you did for me.” Then I put a hand dramatically to my forehead. “But alas, sand and skin don’t mix well together.”
I’m pretty sure he’s had enough sand to last ten lifetimes already. “Better not,” he agrees. “We’ll find some other way.”
Grinning, I lean in, offering my lips for a kiss. “We better go tell the others. They’re probably wondering where we disappeared to.”
“Do we have to?”
I laugh at the face he makes. As much as I’d prefer to stay in our dark sanctuary together forever, this is a secret that shouldn’t keep.
“I want to be there with Tabra when the king’s power goes out.”
With reluctance, we both get up and help each other dress, which is awkward and yet intimate. Like we’re even more each other’s now that we can touch each other this way.
I fumble with the ties of my miniscule dress and the elaborate train, muttering to myself about complicated clothing when really what’s bothering me is the way my body is already keyed up again. It’s both exhilarating and uncomfortable. And we don’t have time.
Reven slides his arms around me from behind and pulls me into his chest, nuzzling my neck. “I thought I was the grumbler.” And his voice makes me quiver. “But really it’s you.”
“I don’t grumble.” I also sink into him, something that could become a lovely new habit. “I point out the obvious.”
“Adorably self-unaware, but okay.”
Temptation crooks a finger at me, urging me to forget everything we must do and stay here with him forever, but I can’t. We can’t. I give a little growl in my throat that sounds like a kitten, and I can feel how Reven tries to hold in a chuckle. He doesn’t succeed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re even starting to sound like me. Except you’re the cute, cuddly version.”
“Heavens forbid.” I mock scowl. “I am not cute and cuddly.”
He laughs. I love that I make him laugh.
I reach up and trace his mouth, and he turns his head to kiss the inside of my wrist. “Come on, princess. They’re probably still at the pub.”
I sigh. “Sandrats.”
“My feelings exactly.”
The roar of the crowds outside is our only warning before a sudden, familiar sizzling sensation makes the fine hairs on my arms stand up.
The king’s power.
A heartbeat later, a blinding flare of incandescent light passes through the room in unison with a jolt of a buzz that moves right through my body.
“We need to get to—” The words cut off in my throat as pain bursts through me like my insides are being ripped out. It comes out as a grunt that dissolves into a hiss as I double over, grasping my side.
Agony. Like burning and stretching and falling apart and being put back together all at the same time.
An answering groan comes from Reven. Is he feeling my pain? Or his own?
“Meren?” He’s right there with me, his face close to mine, and I force my eyes open to stare back at him through a fog of agony. “What’s happening?” he asks.
“My side,” I choke out, then fall to the ground. “My shadows.”
He’s on his knees, rolling me to my back and pulling my hands away from my stomach so he can look. My heart plummets at the way his face is now a mask of fear. “Mother goddess.”
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