Page 24 of House of Demons and Bones (Shades of Ruin and Magic #5)

23

Barbie

T he bridge collapsed beneath us, a scream erupting from my throat while I cursed Moirai. Rowan shouted for me, twisting to grab me, ready to take the impact when we hit the ground. His earth magic lashed out, vines and greenery shooting forth to catch us.

A blink, and we touched down instead of falling on our asses. Music, laughter, and chatter swirled around us. We had materialized at the courtyard’s edge, crouching in shadow, the cathedral with its obsidian walls and hellfire nowhere in sight.

“Are you okay? Is Sy okay?” Rowan asked as we stumbled to our feet, still dizzy from the transition.

A hand snaked around my waist, another clamping over my mouth, smothering what might have been a whimper—or a scream.

“I’ll take it from here,” Killian told Rowan. “You need to join the dance with our target.” He added drily, “The others are running out of moves.”

“Just so you know, Sy and I will have the last dance before the night ends,” Rowan said before striding toward Queen Lilith and Cade.

Cade didn’t seem to mind holding the queen in his arms. He’d gladly hold any woman to celebrate his freedom after we helped rid him of the Fury and her death curse.

Killian’s darkness twirled around me, hiding us from view. My back pressed against the stone wall, with Killian’s arm anchoring me in place. His other hand tilted my chin up as he inspected me to make sure I didn’t have a single scratch.

“Are you all right, my little scorpion?” he asked.

“Not exactly,” I said, ready to complain.

“Why do you have Rowan’s scent on you again?” he demanded, rage starting to rise. “And it’s the scent of sex!”

“You don’t want to get me started,” I said, annoyed. “We were searching the place and got nothing. Then we heard someone outside the door and had to hide in a tiny closet. Sy took over, and she and Rowan fucked like fiends right there in the demon house.”

“Unbelievable,” Killian said with disgust. “I sent him to guard you!”

I nodded. “Those two have no shame. They don’t care what anyone thinks. They’ll screw each other in public if you let them.”

“I’ll have a word with Rowan,” Killian growled. “He should know better than to drop his pants wherever he pleases.”

“Good luck with that,” I said. He’d need it.

“Forget them,” he said. “I was worried sick about you, my brave little scorpion.”

“But I failed the mission,” I said.

“We’ll figure it out,” he said. “I’m on your side, no matter what. You know that, right?”

“And you should know that I’m an independent modern woman who takes no shit,” I said.

He let out a low chuckle. “Is that a line from one of your smutty romances?”

I glared at him.

“Even so, you can still depend on me,” he purred, making my blood heat.

“You think I’m the weaker one?” I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t done challenging him in order to make him a better man.

“I’ll depend on you too,” he said.

“Co-dependence isn’t healthy,” I said.

“You think so, little scorpion?” he teased, his thumb stroking the column of my throat.

My breath caught at the intimate gesture. We were an island in a sea of thousands, cloaked by his shadow in the crowded courtyard. It felt surreal, him courting me in plain sight.

“I missed you,” he murmured. “Every second without you drives me mad. I need to know you’re safe, need to know where you are at all times.”

His worry for me only made me hotter. Lust seared through every cell in my body. Killian could smell my arousal even before our mating bond formed—now I was an open book to him. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be an open book, though. Shouldn’t we maintain certain feminine wiles and mystery to keep our men coming back for more?

Killian inhaled deeply, letting out a low growl, his eyes blazing with primal male need, so intense it made me shudder. He rocked his hips, grinding against me. I let out a whimper, wanting to thrust back and feel his hard-on, but one thing would lead to another. Then we might end up fucking here shamelessly. Between Sy and me, I was the shy and responsible one, and

with Queen Lilith twirling in the center of the courtyard, still searching for Killian, I wouldn’t risk getting caught. I could feel her gaze roaming in our direction, trying to pierce through Killian’s shield.

My mind drifted to how Killian had fucked me when I was in heat. And now with him pressing against me, caging me in, I fantasized about what he’d do next—his fingers would trace the line of my panties before pushing them aside to find my slick pussy, and he’d know my body burned for him, my skin buzzing with raw lust. As if he and his dragon could see the fantasy playing in my head, a low rumble vibrated from his chest.

My breath hitched. My pulse sparked. Maybe I should let him tug down my panties and just fuck me here and now. Or maybe we should get out of here and go to his place to fuck without an audience. But we couldn’t abandon the heirs to their tasks. We needed to execute the exit plan first, ensuring they could safely untangle themselves from Queen Lilith.

“You need to chill,” I said, resisting the urge to fan my burning face at the charged sexual tension between us. “No one can be safe all the time.”

“My little scorpion.” He let out a low chuckle. “Only you’d say things like that while in my arms. Most of the time, I don’t know what to do with you.”

He was talking nonsense, but only because this was his first actual relationship. None of the other heirs were good at relationships either, despite their prowess in bed. They just weren’t brought up that way. So they defaulted to alpha male shit.

In the romance department, I should take the lead. All that smutty romance reading paid off.

“Then I’ll lead and you follow,” I said.

“Lead me then, little scorpion, and I shall follow,” he purred, humoring me while pushing my gown up to my hips. It was a gift from him—he’d taken to dressing me now.

The crimson gown commanded attention, its finest silk flowing from a one-shoulder design into an elegant cape. The fabric created an ethereal effect with every step, while a daring thigh-high slit made me blush and grin at once. I’d never worn anything this beautiful or bold, but that was exactly Killian’s intention—to make a statement.

Wearing the dress he chose was probably my first step toward trusting him. I just had to have faith in his taste.

I caught his slow, appreciative once-over, his gaze smoldering. “You look irresistible, little scorpion. Now I’ll have to do something about that.”

His fingertips traced a path along my thigh and paused at the center of my core. I shuddered at the sensation before letting out a gasp as he boldly slid a hand into my panties and palmed my pussy roughly.

“Killian,” I whispered.

“Say my name like that again,” he demanded. “And add a ‘please.’”

Just as I was about to rebel, he flicked his thumb over the apex of my swollen clit.

“Please,” I breathed, and clung to him, my nails digging crescents into his shoulders.

“Please what?” The tease in his voice made my knees weak.

“I need you,” I said. “Right now.”

“Need me for what, little scorpion?”

“Just fuck me!” I was losing patience.

The heir and his games!

He chuckled. His fingers rubbed up and down my slick slit before fondling my plump lips. I arched into his touch, drowning in heat and lust. He played me like an instrument, but he wasn’t as controlled as he pretended. Behind his dragon mask, his storm-blue eyes burned with hunger, his lips twisted with pure male need.

His heartbeat thundered, matching my own frantic rhythm. A low laugh escaped my throat as I curled my fingers around his massive erection through his pants. My hand could only cover half his width. When I gave it a hard squeeze, Killian’s groan came out rough and raw, his heavy-lidded eyes dark with lust.

I grinned. Me and my games.

He was about to hook my leg over his hip and take things further. I shut my eyes for a second, savoring the image of his steel-hard cock driving into my heat.

But we couldn’t just fuck now and let the world burn.

“We still have business to take care of,” I reminded him.

He let out a tormented breath, settling for thrusting two fingers into my pussy.

Pleasure pierced me, pulling a moan from my throat. His starlight traced patterns on my skin, setting every nerve ending alight. His fingers thrust deep, pulled out, then thrust back in. His mere touch was enough to make my blood burn, and this?

This was sweet agony I couldn’t get enough of.

He added another finger and quickened the thrusts, watching me with obsessive fascination. Every sound he made set my blood on fire. My clawed fingers sank deep into his shoulders and drew blood. He was tough and could heal faster than anyone. I never needed to hold back. Not with him. His dragon rumbled, enjoying my rough treatment.

I rotated my hips, riding his fingers in a wild rhythm. This time, he was sensible enough not to demand I scream his name—I might just oblige and blow our cover to kingdom come. Even with his magic cloaking us, we needed some discretion with hundreds of supernaturals twirling around us in their frenzied dance.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, dragging him down for another kiss as waves of pleasure crashed through me. Ecstasy soaked into every cell until I fell apart, coming undone in his arms.

He pulled his fingers out after the last spasm left me and sucked the juice of my come, his eyes bright and dark at the same time, brimming with undiluted lust.

“It was just a preview for what’s to come, little scorpion,” he promised. “Later, when we’re done here, I’ll show you so much more. And I’ll do all kinds of things to you. But now, dance with me. Let them see you shine.”

Before I could catch my breath and steady myself in his arms, his shadows receded to reveal us, and he swept me toward the center of the courtyard, spinning me seamlessly into the dance.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in any universe,” he said, his heated gaze moving from the diamond at my throat to my eyes.

That’s not true, Sy protested. My sugar says I’m the most beautiful!

I touched the blue diamond necklace he’d given me earlier, still stunned by its perfection and price tag.

Every house had its signature gemstone. House of Vampires claimed black opal, House of Shifters wore emerald, House of Fae chose ruby, and my House of Mages adorned itself with sapphire. Everyone knew blue diamond belonged to House of Chaos.

Was Killian making a statement by having me wear his house’s gemstone tonight? What would Queen Lilith’s face look like if she saw his token around my neck? It was the finest thing I’d ever owned. I’d snapped that clasp shut the second I lifted it from its box. Even if Killian dumped me, at least I’d have this stunning piece as a consolation prize. Who said breakups had to leave you empty-handed?

Keep telling yourself that, Sy said. We both know you’d chuck that necklace straight at his too-pretty face.

Killian’s arm locked around me, and I swayed into his hold. He towered over me, but our bodies aligned like puzzle pieces. I could’ve used my goddess powers for a height boost, adding a few more inches, but I liked being short. Let them underestimate me.

When he spun me, my crimson dress bloomed like fresh petals catching sunlight.

As he drew me back against his chest, my breath caught. “I need to tell you about the Queen’s Suite—and who, or more precisely, what dwells there.”

“Tell me when we’re back at my penthouse—our place,” he said. I bit back a smirk. Classic alpha move, offering up his kingdom. “We have time, little scorpion. Let’s just enjoy our dance tonight.”

“I won’t fight you on that,” I said. “We’ll visit the red room tomorrow. You need to see it, as I don’t like keeping secrets from you.”

My heart stumbled. Except for that one lethal secret burning in my chest—the kind that would break his heart and leave him feeling betrayed beyond repair. If I could spare him the pain, I would. But I had to push forward, offer myself as sacrifice, so everyone else would live. So he’d live. So Sy would have a chance at life.

Power rippled across the courtyard as the music flowed like rushing water.

Killian and I moved in perfect sync. He spun me against his chest, and I swirled down, deliberately grinding against his hardness. His growl made me chuckle, low and husky. I was discovering a sultry side I rather liked.

Sy watched, transfixed. Seemed she could learn a thing or two from me after all.

“Where did you learn to dance like that?” Killian asked.

I smirked. “I’m a woman of many talents.”

While on the run, Sy and I hadn’t just hidden. We’d seized every chance to improve ourselves, and we were both a quick study. What might take others a decade to master, we could absorb in days. We devoured knowledge and learned skills as quickly as we siphoned magic and colors.

“Mm.” He dipped his head lower, his lips hovering over my earlobe and making me shiver with need. “I’ll enjoy your talents in my bed for hours tonight.”

My skin flushed hot, my breath catching, even as danger prickled between my shoulder blades. I turned just as Queen Lilith’s piercing gaze locked onto us.

Killian didn’t spare her a glance. His eyes were only for me as he spun me, putting on a show.

The crowd sensed the shift, their attention drawn to us like moths to flame. Some might have guessed my partner was the chaos prince, as his power and presence were unmistakable. But besides the heirs, no one would connect this mysterious woman in her bold crimson dress and blue diamond necklace to me. And once they did? No one would dare call me Ugly Barbie again.

My only regret was my fish-head mask. Talk about killing the mood. Maybe Sy was right—I did need help with my fashion choices.

I can help you, Sy offered, smug as ever. I won’t even charge you.

But who had time for style when I was constantly being hunted.

Being hunted never stopped me from looking fabulous, Sy said.

At least Killian wasn’t put off by my fish mask. He knew exactly who was behind it.

Our bodies rode the music’s pulse, separating only to press back together. His hand traced up my spine as my hips matched his rhythm. When the tempo shifted, he bent me back, my leg coiling around his waist. Then he spun me again, gripped my hips, and tossed me skyward, catching me as if I weighed no more than starlight.

I slid down his hard chest, savoring every inch of the delicious contact.

Everyone watched us, their eyes hungry and dark. I didn’t care. The night belonged to my mate and me.

Louis approached, trying to cut in. “May I have this dance, milady?”

Killian growled. “Fuck off.”

The other heirs abandoned their posts, all except Cade, who kept dancing with Lilith. The rest of the heirs surrounded us, drawn to our display, unable to resist the pull of my magic.

“I’ll dance with Sy before the night is over,” Rowan reminded us for about the hundredth time now.

Killian’s dragon responded with a threatening snarl.

“You need to dial it back, Killian,” Silas muttered beside us. “Unless you want the queen connecting the dots.”

“That’s the idea,” Killian said ruthlessly.

The music hit its crescendo, our bodies moving as one.

“I hate being a liar,” he said, yanking off his dragon mask and tossing it into the crowd. Someone yelped in pain. “Tonight, I’m done with secrets. No more hiding what we are to each other. No more pretending you’re not mine.”

He lifted my fish mask away, sending it sailing over the nearest rooftop. I blinked, caught between vulnerability and freedom. Killian tilted my chin up, ignoring the shocked silence that rippled across the crowd.

Then the heir of House Chaos kissed me in front of everyone.