Page 59 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury (House of Embers #1)

“Dance with me.”

I looked at Kieran’s outstretched hand and then back to the crowd, where various nobles, both from the five major Noble Houses and the minor ones, were practically frothing at the mouth to pull us for a dance.

At least now that our performances were over, our dragons got to fly away and do whatever they wanted.

“What makes you think I want to dance with you ?”

He grinned. “Because if you don’t dance with me, you have to dance with someone else. Face it, I’m the lesser of two evils.”

“Fine.” Damn my weak wills. I wanted to be near him, and we both knew that.

When Kieran easily slipped his hands around my waist, my heart skipped a beat.

I rested my hands around his neck, trying to resist the urge to fiddle with his dark, messy hair.

It looked so soft. Too soft. Energy danced under my skin from being so close to him.

I wanted to move closer, to feel his chest, to run my fingers through his hair, to see if his cheekbones could cut glass.

Dammit. Get a hold of yourself .

Did Kieran feel this way too? I knew he felt the attraction, but was he falling like I was?

“You and Umara did good,” he whispered into the shell of my ear. “I had to fight a smile when she bathed you in claiming fire. That move did wonders for your safety. The nobles won’t risk separating you now.”

“That won’t make Andova back off. They still think I’m a weak link.”

His smile slipped. “Which is why today is important. They will all be testing you, both the public and the nobles. Show them you’re a powerful rider who doesn’t need a family name to back her.

” His hand moved to my lower back, sending another spark between the apex of my thighs.

“I know you don’t need one, and I can’t wait for you to prove them all wrong. ”

I exhaled. “So no pressure. How long do I have to stay before I can leave?”

He chuckled. “Three hours minimum.”

I fought a groan. “How do you stand it? I hated the dance and the little display you all did. We’re just puppets to them.”

Kieran twirled me before pulling me flush against him. “I like to imagine choking them with my shadows.”

I jolted when I felt a shadow creep around my neck, the wispy black tendrils coiling around my neck before fading away. I swallowed, all the nerves in my body sparking to life. Heat flooded my cheeks as I looked into his knowing gray eyes. “G-glad I’m not the only one bothered by it. ”

He grinned. “You shouldn’t think yourself so special. We all hate this, even Luther.”

“Luther loves this, and you can’t tell me Aurelia didn’t get a hard on when the entire crowd ate out of the palm of her hand. She fucking loved that.”

Kieran dipped me, and I felt no fear when my body briefly went unbalanced, because his strong arms backed me.

My heart thumped against my chest. I don’t want to move.

I want to stay here forever. “Of course they love seeing their power in action, but they hate the indignity of this performance they’re forced to put on.

Both of them believe they’re too good to be show ponies for the public. ”

“And what do you think?” I murmured.

He squeezed my hip. “These performances are a cornerstone to our masks. The nobles might have the money, but if the citizens turned on us, we’d be nothing. And if they feared us or believed us unable to help them, we’d be fucked.”

I groaned. “I hate politics.”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “Don’t let politics break you, little thief. You’re a fighter, you can handle it. You look beautiful, you know. I love it when you have your hair down.”

My breath hitched. The confidence in which he spoke about me and the understanding…

I never felt seen like that. Ever. “What’s your angle here?

Aren’t you supposed to be ‘ reassuring the public?’ Why are you here with me?

” He always seemed so put together in this little game we played. It drove me wild .

Kieran froze for the briefest of seconds before resuming his slow swaying.

“Unlike you, I’m staying for the entire event.

Everyone wants to talk to the captain of the dragonsguard.

In comparison to Luther, I’m much more approachable.

So I’m taking a pre-break. Gathering my strength to deal with the idiots and everyone else. ”

I searched his eyes. “Stop bullshitting me.” Since he took me to the Irinae Cliffs, things had changed between us. I couldn’t deny that I wanted him, and I knew he wanted me. But that left us in this awkward middle ground where neither of us would take another step.

“Do you really want me to be honest?” A warning and a promise all at once.

“I do.”

His hand tightened around my waist. “You call me a liar, but you’re one too. If I tell you the truth, you’ll run.”

I shuddered. Once more, I stood in the middle of an old wooden bridge wedged between two cliffs. Did I dare step forward? “Tell me.”

Kieran leaned down to brush his lips against my ear. “Ever since I played for you, I can’t take my eyes off you.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I froze. Only once Kieran squeezed my hip, did I start dancing again. “Kieran… I don’t…”

He stroked the small of my back. “You asked if I got tired wearing a mask? I do. All the time. It wears me down. When Umara claimed you, I knew I wanted to be allies.” Kieran twirled me, and I stumbled through the movement.

“Just allies then?” I whispered. My skin tingled from where he touched me. ‘ Don’t trust him,’ Wes had warned me. ‘ He uses people.’

“I didn’t trust you, but I knew you’d turn Lusadia on its head, and I wanted to be by your side when you did so.

You don’t like being here, doing this, but you will for your sister.

I don’t like doing this, being a monster, but I will for Daeva and for the safety of the continent.

” Kieran tightened his grip on my hand. “You and I? We’re the same.

Isn’t it exhausting to smile when you want to scream? ”

Lightning crackled under my skin from his touch. His gaze trapped me in place. “What are you getting at, Kieran? What do you want?”

“You. I want you, Selena.” With a casual flick of his wrist, he pulled me flush against him once more. Heat trailed down my spine. “I’m tired of denying it. I know you want me. I want you. Why don’t we help each other pass the time?”

The air left my lungs. The desire was clear in his eyes as well as the lust. It caressed my shoulders and slid between my thighs.

I sputtered, unable to find the words. That’s it?

You want to fuck me? But at the same time, another emotion lingered.

One I didn’t want to name. But that feeling felt like a knife slammed between my ribs. You only want to fuck me?

“Careful now,” Kieran murmured. “There’re so many eyes on us, little thief. Remember to keep your composure.”

We stood merely inches apart. His eyes lowered to my lips, and it was all I could do not to lean into it.

What should I do? I was back on that wooden bridge, hovering over another step.

Do I take the leap of faith? “You…” I wasn’t some blushing virgin, so why was it that a mere proposal from him left me stuttering mess?

“Say yes,” he growled against my lips. “I’ll bend you over a stall right now. Say yes. ”

“I do apologize for interrupting, but may I cut in?”

We both froze, and I turned to see Queen Nasreen, the sole ruler of the western kingdom, Raghnall.

Stunning. That was the first word that came to mind when I saw the queen.

She had perfect posture. Her beige scarf concealed her hair and perfectly complemented the trim of her dark green dress.

My stomach tightened as I studied her annoyingly perfect features.

She had an oval shaped face, thick brows, and not a blemish in sight on her light brown skin.

The smile on her face belied the calculating look in her eyes as she studied me.

Bitch. The thought slipped out before I could control it.

I glanced at the two women before me. Nasreen’s Lady in Waiting, Takara, stood just a step behind the queen.

She smiled warmly at us. She was thicker than the average woman and curvy to match, and she met our gaze without a hint of shyness.

Like the queen, she also wore a scarf around her head that matched her cherry blossom colored dress.

I looked at Kieran, but he’d been replaced by Kieran the Executioner. Our moment had passed.

Kieran stroked my hand. “Of course. Think on it, Selena, and get back to me.” When he let go of my palm and waist, he took all my warmth with him.

Then he turned to Queen Nasreen and smirked.

“I was wondering when you’d pull me. I admit, I began to fear you might’ve changed your affections regarding my face.

A rather sad feat considering I dressed up for you. ”

Nasreen smiled. “Flatterer. There’s no need for such lies. I know you like having pretty women on your arm.”

Kieran’s gaze flicked to me. “That I do.”

Nasreen laughed. I watched them slip into the crowd with a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. Bitch. She knew what she was doing. The ferocity of my anger shook me. It was an entirely new sensation, this ugly emotion that swelled in my chest as I watched Nasreen smile at a comment from Kieran.

What the fuck just happened? Was this a move on his part, a way for him to get me under his thumb?

I couldn’t forget—this man was like a chameleon.

He thrived off convincing others he was something he wasn’t.

How could I be certain this wasn’t another act of his?

He’s stupid if he thinks a dick can make me lose my allegiance to my sister. No dick is that good.

Though I don’t doubt he has some talents. Another thrum of heat pulsed between my thighs. Gods, I want him.

“I warned you.” I turned to see Wes glaring at me. Just what I needed. Another Caddel to bother me. “He’s playing you.”