Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,114

a pair of sweatpants, which were the bane of my existence. I watched him from beneath my lashes as he sat across from me, setting his elbows on the table before he uncorked the whiskey and held it up to his nose.

He leaned the bottle toward me, offering to top off my glass, and I extended my shaking hands, holding his gaze as he refilled my cup until it threatened to spill over the rim.

“It’s aged one-thousand years,” he admitted, and my eyes widened, moving from the glass, then back to him in surprise.

“How do you know that?” I inquired, studying the way his lips twitched while his eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Because I made it myself.” His admission caused my mouth to open and close several times before I clamped it shut, narrowing my eyes on him, waiting for his laugh or some sign that he was joking.

“You’re one-thousand years old?” I questioned, aghast that he could be that old.

“Older, actually,” he chuckled as my eyes bulged, and I shook my head, sitting back in my chair, peering down at the amber-colored whiskey.

“Wow, this relationship just took an inappropriate turn.” His forehead creased, and his fingers ran over the bottle’s rim before his attention lifted to me.

“What relationship would that be, witch? The one where you’re the prisoner of the opposing king or the one we don’t fucking have?” His jaw clenched, and something cold entered his stare.

I glared at him, anger sliding through me at his words. I wasn’t even sure why it bothered me, but it burned to hear him state it more than anything. I snorted, downing the drink before leveling him with an icy glare.

“Go fuck yourself, Knox,” I growled, standing to move to the brazier, letting the heat it offered soak into my bones.

I studied the coals that glowed red like the anger rushing through me. I lifted my eyes to where the smoke swirled up, exiting through the top of the tent.

The smoke was scented, I noticed. It smelled of soft sandalwood and eucalyptus, which was soothing and calming. Inhaling the scent into my lungs, I gasped as Knox slid his arms around me, pulling me against his body’s heat.

“Let me go,” I whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.

“Never, woman,” he growled, kissing my exposed shoulder that carried his mark.

“I said, let me go.”

Knox didn’t listen, choosing to grab the chain that connected the cuffs to my wrists. He hefted it up, placing it over his neck, forcing my arms to lift, and my back went flush against his chest. My toes danced on the rug’s fur, and my breathing hitched in my lungs as he growled huskily against my ear, kissing my neck where it met my shoulder.

I watched as he shredded the dress I wore until it pooled at my feet in a tattered heap of fabric. His hands caressed my stomach, lifting to cup and gently squeeze my breasts as a gasp expelled from my lungs.

My breathing hitched as his thumbs ran over the pink tips, and my heartbeat rapidly spiked as a pulse thrummed in my belly, causing my body to heat. Butterflies erupted, fighting for space with the ravens that took flight, creating a multitude of sensations from his simple touch.

“You are mine now, Aria. You’re my prisoner. I am the king on the opposing side of this war. I don’t intend to let you ever escape me, not when I have you at my mercy.” His hands lifted, slowly unbinding my hair until it was free from the bands and silver jewels that he tossed aside. My hair slid down my sides, stopping at my waist before he brought his nose closer, inhaling my scent greedily.

Knox’s hands slid around my body, running down my sides as goosebumps spread over my flesh. His fiery breath fanned the side of my neck as his mouth peppered me with soft, gentle kisses. Fingers slid down my abdomen, pushing past my panties until they rubbed against my clit in slow, leisurely strokes that caused my head to roll back as a soft moan escaped my lips.

One hand lifted, cupping my breast, and I cried out, gasping as he growled hungrily against my throat. He dragged his fingers through the arousal of my sex, dipping them into my opening. I felt him growing hard against my spine. He pinched my nipple and clit at the same time, causing me to buck against the sensation that threatened to consume me and make me