Page 104 of Princess of Bael

“We can debate this later. For right now, we need unity.” His fingers went to my chin, pulling my gaze up to his. “We’re stronger together, Kayla.” A repeat of what he’d already said. “Please don’t fight me on this.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Can you stop manhandling me?”

“I’m touching you because it strengthens us both,” he replied. “So no. I will not stopmanhandlingyou.” He pinched my chin a little, his eyes darkening with intensity. “Physical healing is not the same as spiritual healing, Kayla. I need you right now. I needus.” He released my chin to draw his fingers through my reddening strands. “And you need me, too.”

A tremble worked its way down my spine, his sentences ones I would have translated wrong a few days ago. But having felt the energy exchange between us, I was beginning to understand what he meant about our bond.

It wasn’t about siphoning energy from me.

It was about creating energy between us. Energy that bolstered both of our souls, not just his. I’d never felt this alive in all my life, the power thriving through my veins renewed with a vigor that came directly from Ezra.

Not a charade or a lie. Not a way to trick me into helping him. Just a mutual bond we both benefited from.

“I promised never to use you again,” he added in a whisper. “I meant it, Kayla.”

I swallowed, unsure of how to respond to that. While I understood the power exchange a little better now, I hadn’t reached a conclusion on his intentions yet. Or even my own.

However, there was one certainty between us—we shared a goal. We needed to find the one who’d murdered Kristina and try to minimize the fallout of the balance shift as best as possible.

And to do that, we had to work together.

Which meant I needed to accept thispossessivebehavior from him.

Although, accepting it really wasn’t the problem.

The problem, deep down, was that a part of melikedthis side of him. I liked that he couldn’t stop touching me. I enjoyed that he felt the need to state I was his mate in front of Zebulon even though the Demonic Lord already knew that. And I was very much enthralled by the shelter of feathers warming my skin now.

He was claiming me in front of all these demons.

Telling everyone who could see us that I belonged to him.

He’d cut them all off with a wing, giving me his entire focus, just to make sure I’dheardhim. That I’d understood his intentions.

And now his glittering golden eyes were watching me, waiting for me to not only acknowledge his statements but also agree to them.

“Please, Kayla.” His thumb traced my jaw before gliding down my neck. “Work with me, not against me.”

I stared at him for another beat. “Only if you promise me more orgasms.” It was my way of brightening what was otherwise a rather deep conversation.

The tilt of his lips told me it’d worked. “As many as you desire.”

My eyebrows lifted. “Yeah? You sure you want to make that offer?”

“If it gives me cause to keep you for eternity, then yes.” The serious quality of his words matched his expression. “You deserve an eternity of pleasure after everything I’ve done to you. If that’s the payment you require, consider it given.”

“I was trying to lighten the mood,” I admitted in a mumble.

He kissed me softly, his lips a heavenly presence that made me sigh. “Be a good little heiress and I’ll take you to the stars later,” he whispered.

My jaw clenched in response. “Good little heiress?”

His gaze held a teasing glint as he pulled back. “You wanted to lighten the mood.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not lightening the mood, Ezra. That’s making me want to kill you again.”

“Does that mean you didn’t want to kill me for a few minutes there? Because if the answer is yes, I’d say that’s progress.”

I huffed and shook my head. “Let’s just go.” Except we were already here, so that didn’t work. But the feathery cocoon and deep conversation had made me forget where we were for a second.