Page 98 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Slamming us into a tree, he braces my head, tongue sliding among mine. He tastes like spice and sin, and greedily, I pull him close. The bark rubs into my back, scratches my arms but I don’t stop. I need more.

This is what it’s supposed to feel like. The only person who gets me, who desires me and I’m so elated, I can’t think past his lips.

Strong hands lift my legs, pinning me between my thighs.

He rips away, looking down at us intertwined. He looks like a man just given a gift. “Don’t even think aboutmoving,” he pants, eyes bleeding black.

“Don’t fucking stop this time,” I curse, gripping his hair to bring him back to me. Our lips and teeth clash as I nip his lip.

His hand drifts to my leathers and my hips buck.

“Impatient,” he chuckles, licking at the blood on his lip.

My cheeks heat and follow his tongue, tasting his blood on my tongue. We both moan, his blood heightening my arousal.

This is dirty and depraved but feelsright.

“Beg me, kitten,” he pleads, foreheads pressed together. “I need to hear it.”

Snorting, I pull on his tunic. “Hear what?”

Gods, I’d beg a thousand times if he would just touch me.

“Tell me how much you want me, need me and I’ll drop to my knees and give you everything you’ve ever wished for. Right now.” He’s beggingmenow. “I just need to know you want me.”

This isn’t just a power play—this is a monster begging for someone to love them. He’s asking me to be that person.

I open my mouth to answer when a shriek breaks the air, followed by a ground-shaking roar.

My breath halts as he curses. “The Hadeon.”

Another howl rips through the air and he drops my legs. “The Humans?”

“Most likely,” he says, holding out a hand to me. “They must have gone into the hollow without us. I specifically told them towaituntil I found another path,” he snaps.

We trample branches, darting through the path quickly. “Are you worried about a bunch of Humans dying?”

He snorts. “No. I’m merely going to use them as a distraction, to get around the Hadeon, while he devours them whole.”

The ruthlessness the heir likes it hide shines back, as he winks and we pick up our pace.

Chapter 34

Max

Rushing into the small camp, Fee and Reid skid to a stop in front of us. “Find anything?”

“Nothing.” Fee shakes her head. “We came back when we heard the yells.”

Reid rolls his eyes. “The Humans went into the hollow without us, didn’t they?”

“They did,” Kaden answers, turning toward me. Heat still sizzles in those bright eyes, but he frowns. “Stay close to me. If the Hadeon is anything like the rumors, you and I are its biggest targets.”

Because we’re the only ones with magic. The Hadeon will be sent to judge us to see if we’re worthy to pass.

I don’t want to be charred to ashes, so I nod.

“We’re following them?” Reid asks, eyes bouncing from his brother to the cave. “Into the dark, scary cave?”