When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(13)

Trapped.

And worse, she’d known deep in her heart that she would never escape.

Not so long as her father considered the pure-blooded Chatri above the lesser fey.

So was it really surprising that she would be reluctant to give up this unexpected miracle even if it meant enduring the company of an obnoxious vampire?

It wasn’t like she had to actually work next to him.

He was a clan chief. His lair should be large enough for them never to cross paths, right?

As if to prove her point, Cyn was abruptly heading toward the far end of the cave, his face grim although he held the scroll with obvious care.

Far more care than he was willing to give her. Jackass. With a swift step, Fallon had moved to place herself directly in his path.

“Where are you going?”

He came to a grudging halt, his gaze narrowed. “To have a shower.”

“What about me?”

He shrugged. “Aren’t you supposed to be spying on the Oracles or something?”

Her fists clenched. She’d never hit anyone before, but now seemed a good time to start.

“Now look here, you big lug—”

“You have an obsessive fascination with my size.” He ran a slow, deliberate gaze down her tense body before leaning forward to whisper directly in her ear, “In case you’re interested, I’m large everywhere.”

The brush of his lips against her skin sent darts of white-hot excitement sizzling through her.

How was that possible?

She’d lived with the most beautiful men in the world. Her own fiancé, Magnus, was breathtaking. But never, ever had one of them made her so acutely aware of being a woman. As if Cyn had some magical ability to arouse her darkest, most intimate desires.

Jerking back, she sent him a glare. “Well, your head is certainly bloated.”

His gaze lingered on her mouth. “If you’re trying to charm me, it’s not working.”

She wouldn’t lick her lips. She wouldn’t.

Her tongue peeked out, swiping her lower lip with a provocative movement. Instantly Cyn’s eyes darkened with a scorching heat.

Fallon stiffened. What was wrong with her?

“I’m not trying to charm you,” she stubbornly denied.

“Fine.”

Abruptly he’d stepped around her, clearly intending to leave her abandoned in the caves.

“Wait.”

He sent an impatient glance over his shoulder. “Now what?”

“We’re obviously stuck with one another for now,” she said, pointing out the obvious.

“Do you have a point?”

Heathen. Barbarian. Hulking, gorgeous, pain in the ass.

She counted to ten.

“You could at least try to be civil.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “And what does ‘civil’ entail?”

“I obviously can’t stay in these caves.” She waved a dismissive hand toward the damp floor, shivering at the distinct chill in the air. “I’m assuming you have private rooms I could use. And I’ll need food. Oh . . .” She glanced down to the plain, too-short robe. “And clothes. Silk.”

Something dangerous lurked in the jade eyes. “Anything else, princess?”

“Nectar.” She used her most grating princess voice. She was a guest here, dammit, not a prisoner. It was time that Cyn fulfilled his duties as a host. “Preferably from my homeland.”

A stark, dangerous silence followed her daring command. The sort of silence that came before the strike of lightning.

Or a nuclear explosion.

Instead there was a flurry of movement as Cyn reached out to grasp her by the waist and with one smooth movement had her tossed over his shoulder.

Fallon gasped in shock. No man touched the royal princess. Not unless he wanted to be burned to a crisp by Sariel. And certainly they didn’t haul her around like she was a sack of potatoes.

“What are you doing?” she finally managed to choke out.

Leaving the cave, Cyn headed up a narrow set of stairs carved into the stone.

“Let’s get one thing straight, princess. This is my lair,” he growled.

She slammed her fist against his back only to wince in pain. Crap, the man felt as if he’d been chiseled from granite.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to boast about this shabby—”

Her furious insult came to an outraged halt as his large hand landed on her butt, giving the tender flesh a deliberate squeeze. Fallon’s breath tangled in her throat. She was livid. Of course she was. But more than that she was . . . oh dear God, was she aroused? Was the intimate touch of his hand turning her on?

Or maybe being in this world was screwing with her hormones. Yes. That was a much better answer.

Belatedly aware they were moving through a long hallway lined with heavy tapestries, she gave his back another punch.

“Put me down, you barbarian.”

“Berserker,” he snapped.

“Is that supposed to be better?” she ground out, wiggling in an effort to dislodge his hand that was causing tiny sparks of pleasure to race through her body. “I told you to put me down.”

Her wiggles were futile, but thankfully they’d reached a closed door and he was forced to release her butt to shove it open.

“My lair, my rules.”