Page 147 of The Chains You Defy

“Try this.”

My stomach was already aching from all the delicacies I’d devoured, but as Dion opened a little wooden box and lifted something to my lips that looked suspiciously like some sort of chocolate, I couldn’t resist.

Half of the cube disappeared in my mouth, and as the treat hit my taste buds, I couldn’t suppress a moan, which, under normal circumstances, would have causedme to blush. But not today, because I was too busy trying to grasp what in the two worlds was going on.

Flavor exploded in my mouth as the solid piece of chocolate melted into something creamy and bloomed with an intensity I’d never experienced before. And even after I’d swallowed the last sliver, theencounterlingered.

“What in Immaru’s name was that?”

Dion’s eyes wore the softest expression as he regarded me, then the second half of the cube, which he held between his fingers. “Something very rare and very special, called Siorai Seaclaide. My mother set aside a simple piece of chocolate on the day I was born, as it was and still is customary. During her pregnancy, she and my father each directed a permanent piece of their magic into a special container, which not only kept the delicacy fresh but also enhanced the taste over time.”

“So this piece of magical candy is almost four hundred winters old? And two fae sacrificed parts of their power for this?”

“Yes.”

“And you—I—uh—” Speechless, my mind was reeling. I must certainly be missing something—again.

The taste was still wreaking havoc on my tongue in the best of ways, but an invisible hand grabbed for my lungs and squeezed as I tried to fathom that I’d just eaten a rare, ancient, and unique piece of fae chocolate, which was also an heirloom of some sort.

“Of course. As I mentioned, the Third Act of Courtship is all about sharing. What would fit better as the treat that was created precisely for such an opportunity?”

“To share it with me?”

“To share it with the female I’ve chosen as mine.”

There was the possessive word again, the one that never failed to make my insides churn.

But Dion had given me…gods, the implications hadn’t settled in yet, especially since I was sure this was another fae custom and a bigger deal than he admitted.

To protest his proclamation of ownership would be cruel. For once, I wouldn’t object. “If this custom is about sharing, why haven’t you eaten your half yet?” Good Nayana. Safer grounds. Stick to facts and leave the confusing ball of emotions buried deep inside.

Instead of an answer, Dion smiled. His dimples weakened my knees, and breathing was a challenge. And everything became worse when I found out what part I’d missed, what facet of fae culture was hiding behind an ancient, magic-infused square of symbolic chocolate.

Following the candy with my eyes as he lifted his fingers, I observed how the treat vanished in his mouth. Only seconds later, though, those perfectly shaped lips met mine like a force of nature, arms and magic hauling me closer and onto the lap of the male fae, who enveloped me in a firm embrace.

What else could I do but kiss back? And while the chocolate had tasted exquisite on its own, Dion’s taste mingling with the treat elevated the whole experience.

One of my hands slipped into his inky hair as our tongues welcomed each other with the urgency to feel—to devour.

The part of my brain that was constantly reminding me of how Dion and I were just friends and could never be something more was silent for once, swept away in the heat of the moment, and I—I simply didn’t care.

In this very second, the only reality that mattered was my prince, his hands holding me tight, his magic pulsatingin the rhythm of the beating of our hearts, his lips, and his tongue—oh, the skill of that wicked thing—a combination resulting in a truly perfect kiss.

But every sublime encounter had to end at some point, and when ours ceased, I wasn’t even ashamed that I was panting.

Both of us fought for air as our foreheads touched, and my eyes welled up at the intimacy of the gentle contact.

“As much as I’m enjoying this, and you obviously as well—”

The reminder of his sensitive nose and what his flared nostrils detected with each breath was enough to set my cheeks ablaze even more. I pressed my thighs together in a desperate attempt to avoid the impossible. All I managed was to make Dion groan, and I blushed harder.

“—if we don’t stop here, I seriously doubt we’ll end up in the grotto.” Fire was incinerating his gaze as he stared at me, appearing as if he waited for my announcement to forget about the cave.

But a tiny piece of reason poked through the haze of the lust the last few minutes had catapulted me into, and I nodded. Maybe cold water was the best that could happen to us after our temporary detour of surrendering to insanity.

If Dion were disappointed, he wouldn’t let me know.

After raising both of us to our feet—my legs were trembling, and I was grateful for the tendrils that hadn’t gotten the memo that there wouldn’t be a make-out session—Dion reached for the lacing of the ruby-colored dress. One of the inky strands shot forward, swatted his hand away, and, to my total disbelief, pulled at the ribbon holding the corset top together. From the way Dionglowered at the magical being, the behavior of the tendril was downright worrisome, but before I could voice my concerns about sentient—or wayward—preternatural pets, Dion’s hand and the tendrils worked in unison to peel my gown off me.