Page 81 of When Roses Burn

When Briar’s head turned toward me, our lips were only inches apart as her breath mingled with mine and our gazes locked. I inhaled her breath, drawing it into my lungs as my gaze fell to her beautiful mouth.

Fuck, I wanted to taste her, bite her lip, draw her into me, and lose myself to her. She stopped breathing, and so did I.

Her sea green eyes held mine as a current of electricity sizzled between us. She was the lightning rod, and I was the bolt drawn toward her with every beat of my heart.

Neither of us moved as my hands stilled on her. She was my light and my darkness, my life and my death, my salvation and my damnation. She was everything and nothing. And she was mine.

Briar inhaled a shaky breath as her eyes fell to my lips before darting away. “I… I think I’m done,” she whispered.

Her words broke the enchantment her touch and scent placed me under. Pulling back, I lifted my hands from her and stood. My teeth ground together as I cursed myself while stalking across the room to the cabinet of towels.

What are you doing? Are you trying to end up in the harem and at the mercy of others again? Are you so desperate for your mate you’d allow her to destroy you again?

No, I’d never let that happen again. I had to get her out of here and back to her tower.

I didn’t bother with a towel but instead removed one of the soft, white robes tucked within. The material would dry her while keeping her warm.

When she stood from the water, I returned to her with the robe. My eyes fastened on the beads of water running between the valley of her breasts before sliding down her belly and to the patch of curly hair between her thighs.

The beast stirred as it screamed to taste those beads and follow their enticing trail. My claws lengthened before I retracted them and forced the beast down.

When I stopped before her, I held up the robe, blocking her magnificent body as I tried not to recall her silky feel. Unfortunately, my cock had a mind of its own as it strained against my pants.

Briar turned and slid her arms into the robe. She pulled it closed and tied it shut before stepping from the tub. When her foot hit the first step, her knee buckled, and she toppled into me.

I wrapped my arms around her as she jerked back, trying to free herself, but I refused to let her go. She was right, she shouldn’t be near me, but I swept her into my arms.

The robe should make her less alluring; it didn’t. Instead, I itched to untie the belt, peel it open, and feast on her ripe breasts, dusky nipples, and enticing curves once more. When my erection prodded her lower back, she shifted as she lifted herself away from the evidence of my arousal.

I ignored her disgruntled look as I carried her from the room and up to the tower. The door remained unlocked, and I pushed it open to reveal the vast expanse of windows. Lightning flashed over the mountains, followed by the distant rumble of thunder.

I carried Briar to the bed and set her down before striding over to the windows. I pulled the drapes closed. While it was night, she’d probably sleep for hours, and I would keep the day from waking her.

When I turned to her, she’d already crawled under the covers. Barely any of her head poked out from beneath the blankets.

I walked over to stand beside her, but I wasn’t astonished to discover she’d already fallen asleep. I went to brush a strand of hair from her face, but pulled my hand back before I touched her.

I backed away from her and out of the room before I crawled into bed and pulled her into my arms. I wanted things I could never have again, and because of that, Briar was far more dangerous now than ever before.

I closed the door behind me and reached for the key but didn’t pull it down. If I couldn’t get the answers I sought from her during her Needing, I didn’t know how else to get them.

Or maybe you already have them. I was astounded by that realization, considering I’d believed Briar was lying to me.

And if she’s not?

With tired steps, I retreated from the tower and returned to my room. I had to talk with Dromon, Pierce, and Lyra, but that could wait until tomorrow. First, I had to try to figure this out on my own.

For the third time in my life, Briar had thrown everything I knew into a complete tailspin, and I wasn’t sure how to get out of it.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Knox

The gray sky was lightening as I stood before the windows overlooking the cliffs in the dining room. Behind me, the decadent breakfast Merribell had created filled the table. My stomach grumbled at the scent of it, but I didn’t take my seat.

Footsteps sounded in the hall before Dromon and Pierce entered the room. Their chairs scraped the floor when they pulled them out and took their seats. A minute later, Lyra followed them.

“How did it go?” Lyra asked.