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"Kai, I am not so fragile as all that." With all the guilt she was carrying, she couldn't bear to hear his apology.

He closed his eyes tightly. "Say it again." His voice a raspy whisper.

Wren's breath caught at the sound of his voice. "I am not fragile," she whispered back.

He opened his eyes and shook his head. His blue eyes pierced through her.

She met his gaze as she whispered, "Kai."

His breath caught, and she realized her own breathing was strained. He leaned down towards her as she raised her face to his. A hair's breadth separated them.

When he spoke his breath was warm on her skin, he said, "Wren. Do you want this?"

She tried to catch her breath, but it felt like she couldn't breathe in a delicious way. She knew it was wrong, but she nodded her head in agreement anyway. His blue eyes sparked with need and his voice was heavy with restraint. "I need you to say it."

She didn't hesitate at the command. "I want this, Kai."

He let loose a breath and then his mouth was on hers, and there was nothing gentle about the kiss. His kiss was all the need and desire he had been holding back. He was digging one hand into her loose hair and the slight hurt sent lightning through her.

She pulled his head towards her, deepening the kiss. She didn't know where he ended and she began, she only knew that any space between them was too much. She pressed against him needing to eliminate any space between them earning her a low groan from Kai. Adrenaline and surprise surged through her as he suddenly picked her up, one arm holding her back and the other supporting the weight of her body. She wrapped her legs around him, never more grateful for pants.

He carried her to the wall, allowing her to feel every inch of his body pressed against hers. His mouth and teeth found her neck and she arched her back, pushing her chest closer to him. The white blouse she was wearing came apart in the middle, exposing her heaving chest. She saw him take the sight of her in and the raw need in him nearly undid her.

He was back to kissing her and moving down her neck as if he couldn't decide where to focus his attention. A moan escaped her and she threaded her fingers through his hair, needing more of him.

"Well, the rules of this game have certainly changed." She had never hated the sound of Richard's voice more.

"Well, I am not prepared to adapt to them. At least not with you." And Sophie's.

Kai breathed heavily, his forehead against hers. "Get out now or I will kill you both personally." His voice was husky with exertion.

"Very rude," said Sophie.

"Not at all like a future king should speak to his loyal subjects," agreed Richard.

Wren smiled against Kai’s mouth which still hovered painfully close to hers as she continued to breath heavily.

"Out!" shouted Kai, his voice authoritative.

"Fine, we will be downstairs trying to drink away this vision from our minds." Sophie pouted.

"Truly traumatic," agreed Richard as they turned and left.

Wren laughed, unable to control the overflowing of emotions in her and she felt Kai's smile at the sound.

"I really could kill them," breathed Kai, his voice steadier than it had been previously.

She laughed again, fairly giddy. "I am ashamed to say I would miss them—even your brother."

He huffed out a breath, and she regretfully unwrapped her legs from his waist as he gently lowered her. His eyes roamed over her, and she shivered under the heat of his gaze.

"I am going to need you to stop looking at me like that if we are to ever leave this tower," she said quietly, only partly joking.

"This is my favorite tower in all of Valmere. I am prepared to stay here," he said with mock seriousness, but his voice was still thick.

She moved towards him and pulled his head down to her once more, their lips meeting, more controlled this time.

"Gods, I won't survive you," he said against her lips.