Page 26 of Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr #2)

Torj was practically snarling. ‘She’s. My.

Wife.’ Each word was punctuated with rage, laced with a fierce, unyielding intensity.

As he said those words again, he realized he nearly believed them, and how deeply he wanted them to be true.

The air between him and Devereux was thick, threatening to ignite at any moment.

‘Husband.’ The word was a command on Wren’s lips, one that had him releasing his captive with a flex of his fingers.

‘Elderbrock,’ Devereux said with a light laugh as he straightened his jacket. ‘You and I both know you have far too much self-loathing to marry someone of her calibre.’

Though Devereux seemed to have inherited his awful father’s talent for cutting remarks, Torj didn’t flinch.

The bastard was still within reach, and he could damn well throw Devereux through a wall if he fancied it.

More than anything, though, Torj was conscious of Wren looking between them, gauging their familiarity and animosity.

‘You two are friends?’ she asked, brow furrowed. Torj could hardly blame her. Wren had known him for over twelve years and not once had she seen him with someone like Darian fucking Devereux.

Devereux gave her a charming smile. ‘I doubt the Bear Slayer would see it that way—’

‘Observant of you, as always,’ Torj said flatly, turning to Wren. ‘This is Darian Devereux, Lord of Larkwood Valley. Darian, I suspect you know who Wren is, or you wouldn’t be here.’

‘Observant of you,’ Devereux chimed back before addressing Wren. ‘It’s a pleasure, though your choice of escort leaves a lot to be desired.’

‘Enough,’ Torj cut in.

‘Ah, yes, we can’t tarnish your pristine reputation, can we?’ Devereux chuckled lightly. ‘What do they call you now? Saviour? Lightning-kissed Bear Slayer?’

‘And what do they call you these days, Darian?’ Torj’s words were poised to cut.

‘All manner of names, I’m sure. But what’s a few names against a vault of gold and an army at your back, eh?’ Devereux winked, clearly enjoying himself immensely. ‘I assume you got what you came for?’

Torj didn’t think it was possible for him to get any tenser than he already was, but he was wrong.

How did Devereux know they were after something?

And why was he looking so pleased? Torj itched to wrap his hands around the nobleman’s throat and squeeze the answers from him.

He wouldn’t be surprised if Devereux turned out to be the one pilfering secrets from Drevenor and selling them to the highest bidder.

‘We came up here to fuck,’ Wren said bluntly. ‘So yes, I’d say so.’

Devereux gave her a sultry smile. ‘I do love a foul mouth on a princess.’

Torj had the front of the man’s doublet in his fist again. ‘Go back to whatever festering hole you came from, Devereux. Before I send you through one of these windows.’

‘I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon, old friend. And what a pleasure to meet you, Elwren. Next time, let’s leave the warrior brute at home.’

Before Torj could tear his head from his shoulders, the arrogant prick walked off.

Torj’s chest was heaving as he turned to face Wren and found her studying him.

She pinned him with the same look she had when she was trying to solve a problem at her workbench, when she felt a calculation was just beyond her reach.

.. but there was something else in her willow-green eyes, something darker and more complex swirling in their depths.

‘What was that about?’ she demanded, her voice tight.

‘I told you,’ Torj said hoarsely. ‘I’d never let someone touch you if you were mine.’ He noticed that her hair was unbound, framing her face with locks of burnished gold and bronze. And she was twirling her poison-tipped hairpin between her fingers.

‘But I’m not yours,’ she stated.

Torj swallowed the lump in his throat, clinging to his last shred of willpower to stop himself from reaching for her. ‘You are tonight.’

Wren considered him for a moment, before she leaned back against the shelf behind her, lifting her chin in challenge. ‘Then prove it.’

Torj closed the gap between them, trapping her. He saw her pulse flutter in her neck and her gaze grow hooded as she licked her lips. The tops of her breasts rose and fell with each breath against the confines of her corset, and it took every ounce of his restraint not to tear it down the middle.

Torj let his eyes drop to her mouth, and it was all he could do not to claim it with his.

Instead, he braced himself over her, inhaling her addictive scent, wishing they were anywhere but here so that he might strip her bare and lick every inch of her.

‘The thought of anyone else touching you... kissing you... It drives me mad.’

Wren’s body reacted beneath his. He could feel the hitch in her breath, the subtle spreading of her legs beneath that beautiful gown. But her eyes... Her eyes were cold, calculated.

‘And yet you won’t tell me the truth.’ She reached up and traced his jaw with her fingertips, a teasing, taunting touch. ‘You think you’re going mad now, Bear Slayer?’

She leaned in.

He thought he might die from the need for her.

Her words ghosted over his lips as she whispered, ‘I’m not wearing any undergarments.’