Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 559(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Moaning, Lore stretched. Her lids closed as she cupped her breasts. Sunlight paid her great homage. “This is magnificent.” Giddy, she kicked her legs and shook her arms. “It’s everything I remember and more.”
A growl thundered in his chest. How was she so beautiful? How could Azar long for a female like her? A seductress he despised. And yet, he did long for her. Greatly. “You let yourself die for Erebus.” He stepped forward, drawn closer. “Would he have done the same for you?”
“Tsk-tsk. Trying to sow dissent in my relationship.” She air quoted the final word, quirking her lips in a smile and utterly unafraid. “Ah. I get it. Does the Astra still believe I’m fated to be his?” She faked a pout. “I didn’t meet Erebus until after I died.”
“Are you using him, too?” he asked, taking another step in her direction. Inner shake. What was he doing? Urging her on?
He eased backward.
Noticing his retreat, she wagged a finger at him. “Aah, aah, aah, Astra. Come here. I’m going to fix your little obsession problem and prove how much I don’t desire you.”
He approached as commanded, his combat boots leaving scuffs in the floor. Far too soon, he stood a mere whisper away. Now wasn’t the time to kiss her, but to spew vitriol at her. He had plenty on tap.
“What do you want me to do?” he grated instead. At one time, he’d prayed for this moment. The time he’d get to hold her in his arms.
All confidence and swagger, she reclined in the throne, kicking out her legs to display their length. “Kiss me.”
“Yes.” His hatred turned inward as he dropped to his knees without a fight, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, thrusting his tongue past her teeth. Tasting the female he’d dreamed of bedding and killing for centuries.
She bit his tongue, wrenched free, and slapped his face, as if he hadn’t done exactly what she’d stipulated. But she was panting, her smile gone without a trace.
He bent his head and kissed her a second time. She let him do it for a fleeting moment before biting and slapping him once more.
He lifted his head, meeting her gaze. She hissed at him. He growled. Then down he went again. He kissed her with all the ferocity that bubbled inside him—and she kissed him back. A hard tangle of lips and tongue. They ate at each other.
His fingers wandered, exploring dips and curves. Moaning, she molded herself into him. But seconds later, she wrenched away, shouting, “Stop! No! B-back off. Immediately!”
Raising his palms in a gesture of innocence, he flashed backward, putting distance between them.
His heart thudded as she rose to shaky legs. She had desired him. True desire, nothing feigned. And his hands. They burned. Blistered, surely. Frowning, he looked down. His skin...sparkled. He had produced stardust. For her. Lore.
Incredulity hit him. Wonder and rage, too.
She noticed the stardust and gaped. “I...have things to do. I’ll... I’ll see you soon. For the ceremony.” She looked anywhere but him. “Where can I score a gown? Never mind. I’ll find one on my own.” Blushing like a nervous schoolgirl, she teleported.
Azar stood in place, unsure what to think. Or what to do. But he had three days to figure it out.
31
“Is he going to be okay? He’s going to be okay, right?” Maximus babbled the questions as he helped Neeka secure Rathbone and his two tons of muscle in bed. Thankfully, the kid had whisked them straight to the Kingdom of Agonies without incident, the realm defenses standing down, allowing him entry.
“He’s going to be amazing, and that’s my money-back guarantee.” Yes, Rathbone currently thrashed and snarled, trapped in the throes of terrible pain, but what better place to recover than their home with Nurse Neeka on the case? And he would recover, thanks to the antidote already coursing through his veins. He wouldn’t need another dose. Her last vision promised. Besides, she would never allow any other outcome.
A grin teased her lips. He’d been willing to die for Neeka, and it was the most adorable, romantic gesture ever. The big lug had done the impossible and fallen in love with the Wanted. Her. Not Lore. Her.
“But of course,” she added, “we’re all dying in three days unless I figure out a solution to our Lore problem.” Because there was no way Neeka was letting Rathbone shift into the goddess. They had a future to enjoy as a couple. A family.
Maximus scowled at her. “You were not smiling when you said that.”
“Well, it’s hard to be upset when I know I’m heading to pound town as soon as your dad wakes up.” She wiggled her brows. “That means we’re going to have sex, in case you didn’t catch my meaning. He’s very good with his hands, your dad,” she added to be contrary. “And his mouth.”