Page 36 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

She didn’t flinch as her eyes searched mine.

I was hungry for her, desperate to impress my need on her with touch and sensation, but I didn’t attack. I melted into her. Our lips pressed, our tongues slid, and I was surely transported to the Goddess’ garden. No other place in all the realms could feel this wonderful. The Shores of Avalon would have nothing on her tender lips when I’m finally accepted there by the Goddess in death.

Breathless, we broke apart, and she gasped. I kissed along her jaw and drew in a lungful of the heady scent of her that was most potent along the soft skin of her delicate neck. I could get addicted to it, and I knew it was a sign of what she was to me.

Hands came up to my chest, and she clenched the fabric of my tunic in her fists for a moment, drawing me closer, before releasing it and smoothing her hands there instead, gently pushing us apart.

I breathed some clean air and the fog cleared somewhat. I waited for her to brush me off, to tell me that was a mistake—something akin to what I’d come to expect from her.

But nothing came. Instead, she touched her kiss-swollen lips and smiled.

I smiled back, just enjoying the small amount of progress.

Then she glanced behind me and sighed. “We’d better clean up.”

I held out my hand and she took it, hopping down from the bench. She lingered in my space for a moment before pointing at the corner by the door with a smirk.

“You fetch the broom. I’ll see what’s salvageable from the mess.”

I saluted like my flyers were supposed to do to me, and she turned on her heel and went back to the wreckage. I watched her for a moment, crouching to gather some pieces that were still intact. Then I went to find the broom with a huge smile on my face.

SIXTEEN

JAXUS

“This has gone far enough. It’s a lost cause, and it’s cruel. Plus, we are wasting valuable time down here on a fool’s mission. I have to tell him to put this madness to an end.” Kiera turned away from the undead. The more time she spent studying the thing, the less she could look at it.

“I know you do, but do you think you should do it now?” After the past week of meetings and the King acting the way he was, I wasn’t sure Nyx could handle more being added to his plate.

She tilted her head. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“You saw how he acted when he brought it here.” I didn’t like feeling caught between the two of them, but I knew the stability of the kingdom may come to rest on this.

“What are you not saying?”

“I just don’t think he’s going to take it well.”

“What makes you say that?” Kiera asked.

“You haven’t seen how he’s been?” I asked her honestly.

She shook her head. “He seemed fine last night.”

“Of course he seemed fine last night. He was drunk and the evening was entertaining. But have you not noticed day to day how he’s—” I didn’t want to say erratic or losing it, but it was the closest thing to the truth, and I wasn’t going to lie to her. “He’s—all over the place. He’s up, then he’s down. He doesn’t sleep or eat enough. He’s not dealing with anything well at the moment.” It was the most diplomatic answer I could give.

“Of course he’s not. He lost his brother. His twin brother.” Her voice softened.

“This isn’t a normal reaction. Grief is a process, but he’s—getting worse—not better,” I said. Not sure how to really get it across without making Nyx seem too far gone to be in control of the armies.

He was still the general. It felt like treason to even utter the words I wanted to say.

She searched my face. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t know what I’m saying. I don’t want to—go too far across the line. I know he’s your friend.”

“He is my friend,” she pleaded. “Which is why you have to tell me what’s going on with him. I can’t help if I don’t know.”

“Look, I didn’t know him before this. I only know what I’m seeing now. Do you not see it?” How anyone could be missing Nyx falling apart piece by piece was beyond me.