Page 36 of Insolence (Eisha’s Hidden Codices #1)

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H er aura glows with incandescence. Spectacular against the dreary day.

“I’m drenched for you,” she breathes. “ Dripping .”

And I am incandescent with rage . Flinging off my gloves, I’m lunging at her before I’m aware of moving.

Bibi lets loose a loud kraa behind me. Clay pots shatter, the noise deafening. I don’t stop to look.

Tiss fucks herself hard and fast, moaning, as I barrel toward her. I think I’m fully prepared for what happens next.

I really, really do, but—

I hit a patch of air thicker and headier than any other not ten feet from her. An urgent itch crawls over my body. Oh, sweet Eisha.

It’s immediately clear that I’m not prepared in the least.

Stumbling to a halt, I can taste her desire. Heat floods me, a dangerous need digging its hooks in. And I no longer trust what I’m going to do when I reach her.

“I said red,” I croak, paralyzed by her chemical signals. “ Absolutely red.” They’re howling, practically screaming at me.

An aching throb beats through me at the thought of shoving her thighs further apart. Dropping between them and tasting her. Taking her in front of Eisha and the prioress’s all-seeing eyes.

Drinking in every last drop of her. Making her mine .

Cheeks flushing deeper, she pauses. Reviews her options. Behind me, Bibi growls.

“Tiss,” I grunt, every last brain cell rioting. Unable to move. Incapable of leaving.

Half-dazed. Crippled with lust.

I glance through steam-streaked glass again. Sadrie’s finishing hanging the laundry. Damp tablecloths are blocking most of my view, which means she can't see in, thank fuck.

When I look back, Tiss pulls her fingers out of herself. Fixes her underwear and lowers her skirt. Then, brimming with glassy-eyed delight, raises glistening fingers to perfect rosebud lips.

Holy goddess. I stare as the tip of her tongue swipes out. Trails up the length of a slick finger.

“ Tiss .” This time her name is a plea on my lips. An invocation.

“Yes?” she purrs. Her cheeks go hollow as she sucks both fingers into her mouth, eyes never leaving mine.

Fucks’ sakes. The place between my legs is swollen with all the blood not making it to my brain.

She stands when she’s finished. Brushes her skirt down. Cocks her head and walks toward me, mad half-grin on her face.

She pounces when she reaches me, throwing both arms around my neck. An evil little laugh bubbles out of her. I stumble back, her mouth seizing mine, tongue forcing my lips apart.

The taste of her own earthy musk buckles my knees. White hazes the edges of my vision. I sway, clinging to her as she swipes her tongue over mine, laughter tickling my lips.

Tiss… My addled brain and worthless body battle each other over whether to fight off her hold. Or hold her down and fuck her senseless.

Then, still laughing, her teeth clamp down, puncturing the thin flesh inside my lower lip. My yelp is ear-splitting. The taste of hot copper fills my mouth.

Before I can throw her off, a throaty screech and the rattle of powerful wings fill the air. Black feathers descend, rending the world.

Tiss goes rigid. Tearing her mouth away, she flings herself backward. I fight to keep my balance while her shriek rings in my ears.

Arms over her head, she dashes to the door. A flurry of feathers and talons, Bibi chases her.

I stumble forward. “Bibi, leave it!” But my bird is doing everything but listening. Thankfully, she’s only trying to intimidate. To protect me. Tiss wouldn’t still have her eyes in her head, otherwise.

The door slams but doesn’t stick. Dropping to the ground, Bibi issues a loud hiss and folds her wings, beard puffed out.

I drop into the empty chair. “Fuck.” I gasp, but it sounds more like “puck .” My pulse thrums in my ragged lip. Blood pools around my teeth and gums, its metallic tang mingling with her .

That woman won’t stop until she’s my complete undoing.

And I’m stuck. Bound to her. Trapped in this godsforsaken temple together.

The door is ajar. For once I welcome the frigid air seeping in.

The lust haze is finally starting to clear when I notice the blood on the flagstones. Splotches of it leading outside.