Page 52 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“I wasn’t making a scene. You have to trust me,” he growled.

I wasn’t sure why I was so angry with him all of a sudden, but after I’d humiliated myself by showing such weakness, I was going to stand up for myself if it killed me. And I was bothered by his attitude. Why did he think he could dictate to me all of a sudden? If this is what kissing him and a few companionable days with him did, then that couldn’t ever happen again.

I slipped down the side of the temple into the shade and his hand gripped my arm. He turned me to face him and moved in to pin me against the cool stone.

“You’ve been avoiding me since we got here. Why?” Frustration edged into his voice.

I swallowed, gaze flickering to his arms on either side of my head while he pressed far too close, trapping me against the temple. “I’m not.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped, switching to mind speak. I knew why he did. To make sure I couldn’t lie.

“If you don’t trust me, there is nothing else to say.” I lifted my chin, settling him in a stare. “Choose wisely, Jaxus. I won’t return it if it’s not given.”

“I never said I don’t trust you,” he snapped. His eyes burned and I swallowed thickly.

“You told me not to lie to you!”

He pulled back, and for an awful moment, I feared he was going to hit me or shake me, but instead he turned and slammed his fist into the stone, making the entire structure tremble. “That’s not saying I don’t trust you,” he said through his teeth, eyes more dragon now than fae. Would he shift if he completely lost his temper? I’d seen plenty of flyers do it.

They’d launch themselves into the air and take their anger out on the atmosphere. A part of me wanted to push him, to seeif he would. To see the extent of his temper. If we were going to be ryder and flyer, I had to know his limits as well as he knew mine.

For a moment his face fell, and I assumed he’d seen that flicker of fear in my eyes, which just frustrated me more. Of course he wouldn’t harm me, and I’d just show weakness again. It maddened me more, and I came back fighting. “Yes, you did! Don’t ever tell me not to lie to you again. I wouldn’t lie to you.” I turned my back on him and only got two paces before he grabbed me and trapped me against the wall again.

“Stop running away,” he snarled. “Every time I get close, you find a way of pushing me back. You’re so infuriating.” His breathing was heavy and I realized mine matched it, his eyes bore into mine for the longest moment and then he brushed his lips over mine, just a touch, and it was all it took.

I met his kiss, and we both lost control. It was nothing like our first kiss. It was all rage and need, and I hated that he tasted like everything I had ever wanted. How had this dragon got so far under my skin?

We tore apart, only because we unfortunately had to breathe or we would die. Gasping for air, we eyed each other as we considered another round when a voice broke our trance.

“There you are,” Zaria called.

Jaxus growled in frustration as the rest of the group arrived. Luka’s eyes asked if I was okay, and I dipped my chin slightly to reassure him.

“Everything okay?” Zaria asked. “You’re out of breath.” She glanced between Jaxus and I and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. “Both of you.”

“I’m fine. I just wanted to get out of there. I couldn’t breathe in that tent.”

Zaria nodded, smirking, but she didn’t say a word about her suspicion. “I’m with you. That place gave me the creeps, things changing around every corner. I didn’t like it.”

“That’s because you’re a control freak.” Nyx scoffed. Luka hid a laugh.

Zaria rolled her eyes and linked her arm through mine. “Come on.” She led me away through the alley and I followed, grateful that she was taking the guess work out of where to go next. I glanced back at Jaxus, half glad and half sorry we couldn’t continue. He looked frustrated still, but for a whole new reason. The males followed and soon we reached the end of the alley and arrived in the market square.

“Where to?” Luka asked.

“Well, I know we aren’t working today.” I side-eyed Zaria. “But I need to look around the traders because it’s the only way to find some of the rarer ingredients we need for healing.”

Zaria sighed exaggeratingly. “I suppose I’ll allow it.”

We headed through the market square to start our browsing, but there were so many traders they spilled right back out onto the grounds.

“Wonderful,” I heard Nyx mutter under his breath and Zaria turned on him.

“We are here to have fun,” she scolded.

“Yes, and this looks like a lot of fun,” he said flatly.

She narrowed her eyes at him, but before she could come back at him with any harsh words, he gestured for her to continue on with the fun. Shaking her head, she faced the stalls once more. “What are we looking for?” She asked.