Page 106 of Princess of Bael

My lips flattened as he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face into her neck.

It was too close.

Too familiar.

Toointimate.

I stepped forward and cleared my throat, my need to rip this male from my mate riding me hard. His blue-brown eyes met mine with a hint of challenge. “I see you managed to survive.”

“I did,” I replied, my tone indicating just how I felt about his arms still being around Kayla. “But my mood is still questionable.”

“It’s unwise to tempt the fate of a refreshed bond,” Ashmedai said conversationally. “So you may want to release her before Ezra rips you in half. Or don’t. I would undoubtedly enjoy that demonstration.”

“Of course you would,” another woman drawled from a ladder perched against the map.

Trudy, I recognized.The Nephilim with Ashmedai.

She wore a pair of tight black pants and a tank top, accentuating every curve of her body—a fact Ashmedai appeared to be appreciating as she started her descent.

Or maybe he was watching in case she fell.

However, I suspected it was the former allure that drew his attention.

Just as my gaze returned to Kayla and the male still holding her in his arms.

Only a few seconds had passed, but it was long enough to piss me off. I continued toward them, ready to follow through on Ashmedai’s threat, when Kayla stepped out of the embrace and into my path. Her palm went to my chest, her gaze finding mine. “He’s the head of my Royal Guard and part of the reason I could save you the other day.”

Yes. I knew his identity, thanks to her comments earlier about thepersonal reportshe desired to receive from him. “I’m aware,” I stated shortly, one of my hands grasping her hip as the other went to the back of her neck. “That doesn’t make me any less likely to kill him.”

I kissed her before she could protest, my need to stake a visual claim consuming my ability to properly focus.

These possessive instincts were all so foreign yet felt too right for me to ignore.

Her nails dug into my shirt hard enough to reach my skin.

I didn’t care.

I deepened our kiss with my tongue in response and grinned when she threatened me back with her teeth.

“Now that’s some energy I could feed on,” a male murmured.

Zane, I guessed. We’d never formally met, but I knew of him because of his ties to Zebulon. The female I’d seen beside him was Zebulon’s other mate, Guinevere. She hummed something that sounded like approval now, but I ignored her commentary.

Kayla captivated my focus with her nails digging into my chest and her teeth threatening my tongue. I tightened my grip on her nape, daring her to bite down harder.

She responded by releasing my shirt and grabbing my throat instead. The sensation of fire crawling across my skin made me chuckle against her mouth. I soothed the burn with my own power, instantly putting out her flames.

Then I pulled back enough to stare down at her. She met my gaze with a glower that only amused me more. “You’re making me want to kill you again.”

I arched a brow. “That sentence alone indicates you no longer want me dead.”

She snorted, then shoved me away.

I allowed it only because I’d made my point to the room.Mine.

Ashmedai appeared amused.

Zebulon looked bored.