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I started to ask what else the man knew, but angry voices exploded from a table near the door. The men and fae who had been playing cards were locked in a brutal fight. A knife flashed and then plunged into a fae’s neck. His entire body shattered into ash. It rained on the wooden floor like gray confetti.

Niamh gripped my arm. “That’s the Mortal Blade.”

Shouts erupted as the fae launched themselves on the human who had killed one of their own. The blade leapt from his hand and clattered across the floor, landing only inches from my feet. It was plain and silver, with a cracked gemstone set into the center of it. I snatched it up before anyone else noticed.

“Let me have your cloak,” I said to the man.

With a face as pale as bleached sand, he offered up his cloak with no hesitation, his eyes locked on the fight. The fae had stabbed the human to death, and now others had joined in. I swept the material around my shoulders and hid the dagger inside the folds.

“Thanks for the tip.” I turned to Niamh. “It’s time to gather our army for war.”

Thirty

Tessa

Kalen’s heart thumped against my ear, and I sighed into the warmth of his body. He lifted his finger to my cheek and brushed a strand of hair away from my eyes, where it had sprung free from my braid sometime in the night. From the corridor, the sounds of a new day drifted toward us. The murmur of voices. The clattering of carts pushed by maidservants. The steady tap of boots heading toward the staircase that led down to the Great Hall.

“Are you awake?” he asked softly.

“Mmm.” I snuggled a little closer, enjoying the warmth of his skin against mine. When my breasts brushed against his chest, my nipples tightened. “I’m awake, but I don’t think I’m ready to leave bed just yet. Not as long as you’re in it.”

A low laugh rumbled in his throat. “You’re a little vixen. I’m enjoying seeing this side of you.”

At last, I opened my eyes to catch his gaze intent on my face. “Good. Because I’m feeling extra vixen-y this morning.”

With a wicked smile, he pulled me close and ran a hand along my outer thigh. His lips stole across mine, drinking me in. I felt a moan rise up inside me as I hooked my leg around his hip. The hard length of him pressed against my already aching core.

His mouth moved to my neck, kissing me with an urgency that made me gasp for breath. Rocking back, he shifted his cock so that the swollen tip brushed tantalizingly across my sex. My eyes nearly rolled back into my head from the anticipation of it. He brushed against me once more, his tip against my clit.

I shuddered and dug my nails into his back. “I want you inside me.”

“Is that so?” he asked before taking my breast in his mouth, his tongue darting across my peaked nipple.

Moaning, I arched against him just as he inched his hips back. I trembled again, delicious, frustrating desire tightening every muscle in my body. His tongue continued to work my nipple while his thumb brushed against the other. I dragged my nails down his back.

He pulled away at the very moment I didn’t think I could take any more. A wicked glint lit his hawkish eyes as he swept his gaze across my trembling body. “Is something the matter?”

“You’re teasing me,” I breathed.

He reached between us and ran his thumb along my thigh before bringing my wetness to his tongue. With his eyes locked on mine, he tasted me. The sapphire suddenly glowed, brighter than the stars. “Don’t you worry, love. I am going to bury myself inside you.”

A thrill went through me. “Then what are you waiting for?”

After several agonizing moments, his lips finally pressed against mine, rough and hungry. My entire body went weak as his kiss deepened and his tongue explored my mouth. He groaned and dug his hands into my back, pulling me closer to his body. I could feel the planes of his chest shift against me, and the hardness of his cock against my aching core.

I needed him. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted a man in my life. I didn’t know what it was about Kalen Denare, but I felt as if my whole body was drawn to him like the mist was drawn to night.

His mouth moved from my lips to my ear, and he nibbled my lobe with his teeth. Shivers coursed along my skin, and my body trembled. He dipped his head to my neck and dragged his tongue across my skin, my wetness growing with each passing beat.

When he pulled back, his eyes held a heat that made my heart shake dangerously in my chest. Everything inside me felt lit by flames.

And then—at long last—he slid inside me. My walls tightened around him as his length filled every inch of me. He groaned and took my face in his hands, his mouth covering mine in such a rough and hungry way that stars dotted my vision.

“Kalen,” I moaned.

He thrust harder and faster, gripping my backside to keep me in place. As I arched against him, his groans grew louder, and the sound of his pleasure sent thrilling goosebumps storming across my skin.

“Come with me, love,” he growled as he slid his hand up my back and dug his fingers into my hair. “Come with me right now.”