Page 119 of These Fractured Bonds

He returned the kiss, hooking his arm around her waist and pulling her closer until she straddled him. She held herself up, aware that only thin fabric kept them from nakedness, but she soon lost herself in his touch. He was as demanding as the last time they had kissed; his teeth dragged along her bottom lip until she opened her mouth to him, and his tongue ran up hers. She moaned.

Every touch set her ablaze, and she soon found herself seated on him, rubbing herself against him. He groaned, gripping her hips harder, but he pulled away, knocking his forehead into hers and mumbling. Disappointment filled her; she wanted more.

She pecked his lips. “What’d you say?”

“Madness,” he replied.

“What is?”

“You—you drive me to madness.”

She stole another kiss from him, drawing forth another groan from him.

“Is that a problem?”

“It is when I don’t have a suitable place to fuck you.”

Heat rushed to the area between her thighs, and she pressed herself down harder onto his length, earning herself a twitch.

He slid his hands downwards and, grasping her ass, he stood. She clasped her legs around his waist and gave him access to her neck. He peppered kisses across it.

“Let’s head back,” he said, his voice husky.

“I’m sure we could make it work here,” she replied, not ready to stop.

He laughed, the sound echoing around them, and she couldn’t help joining in.

“Alright, you fiend, let’s go. I’ll meet you on the other side,” he said, setting her down on the floor, but kept his hands on her like he didn’t want to stop.

He walked her to her door, letting his hand fall from her back slowly and leaving a ghost of his touch on her body. She turned back, but he had already walked away, and she admired his bare back, her eyes wandering down to his waist, where a cloth—to her disappointment—obscured his butt. She grinned; the heaviness that had followed her since remembering had disappeared.

Even the temptation of power had been silenced, and for the first time since waking in Izmari, she finally had a chance at finding real contentment; she only had to hold on a little longer.

Chapter 46

AugrysandErickwerewaiting on the couch in Yareli’s room. They had clearly expected them to be together, but not holding-hands-together. Augrys cleared his throat, glancing away from them, and embarrassment flashed through her. Erick raised an eyebrow; she shrugged, fighting the urge to defend herself. There was nothing to explain, nothing to defend.

“What happened?” Leo asked.

She startled, finally noticing the sharp tension in the room. It clung to Augrys and Erick, making them appear stiff.

Leo let go of her hand, and she followed him to the sofa.

Augrys answered. “There’s been a coup against the queen.”

Silence fell on them like a blanket—heavy and suffocating. The words reverberated through her, clanging through her bones like an unwanted tremor.

“Who?” Leo said, his voice tight like he had barely restrained the bellow that wished to rip free from his lungs.

“The Earth and Air courts.”

A pause.

“And the Water Court.”

Yareli exclaimed, “What? Aren’t you the commander of all the Water troops?”

He closed his eyes, grinding his teeth, and said, “My father has reclaimed the role. I am to report back to the court as soon as possible to accept my new position.”