Page 65 of A Fate in Flames

My pulse spiked.His rough, uneven breath filled the space between us.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

I remained still, gaze fixed on the floor.He took another step closer.

“I said, look.At.Me.”

His fingers caught my chin, the calloused heat of his touch branding me.He jerked my face upward, forcing my eyes to meet his.My lips parted, but no words came.His gaze flicked down, catching the movement.Lingering there longer than necessary.

“Who allowed you to be here?”

I scrambled for an answer.Any answer.

“I… I couldn’t sleep,” I murmured.“I just wanted some fresh air.”

His nostrils flared, his mouth twisting in silent fury.“Do not lie to me,mortal.” His thumb brushed against my jawline, a touch that should’ve been threatening but sent a different kind of shiver through me.

He took another step until only a sliver of air separated us.Fire danced along his skin, flaring at his fingertips.Waiting to be unleashed.

“I’m not lying.”For once.

His grip tightened, a dangerous smirk curving his lips.“Then why are you trembling?”

I stepped back.He followed.

“Whydid you come here?”

“I already told you, Dalkhan.”

The moment his name left my lips, he snapped.Fury erupted from him like a storm.

He shoved me back, my spine colliding with something solid.His throne.

“You dare speak my name!”The flames on his arms flared higher, crawling up his shoulders.Casting shadows across his face and highlighting the sharp angles.He was both beautiful and terrifying.

Shit.Shit.Shit.

I winced, my back pressing painfully against the seat of his throne.He loomed over me.

“I…” Something treacherous stirred low in my belly, my skin flushing with more than fear.

What was wrong with me?

He inhaled deeply.Deliberately.Lips parted, as if tasting the scent.His eyes darkened, pupils expanding as they roamed over my face and down my neck, lingering where my pulse hammered visibly against my skin.

He dragged his thumb over my bottom lip.The rough pad caught on the sensitive flesh, tugging gently.My eyes fluttered.A pulse of need flared within me.

He did it again, his eyes fixed on the motion.

My mouth parted under his touch.

A deep, satisfied groan rumbled in his chest as he pressed in closer, his body a furnace against mine.His breath fanned across my cheek, while my own had stopped as his thumb pressed into my mouth.Acting on pure instinct, I flicked my tongue against it, tasting the salt on his skin.

A sharp growl tore from him, his free hand slamming against the throne behind me.Restraining himself.His head fell back, exposing the strong column of his throat.Eyes shutting for the briefest moment—savouring the sensation.When he opened them again, they burned darker.Hungrier.

He wrenched away.The loss of heat sent a chill through me.

“Over there.”He pointed to the open space before his throne.