Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,149
who I needed to remain in this violate world and war.
I craved him, yet that could very well destroy me. Sometimes though, when I was alone, I yearned for the world to stop turning so he could wreck me. I craved the intensity of his stare, the silent conversations our eyes had together, and then I reminded myself that in the end, the world had to turn to go on, and wishing differently was selfish. What I craved was forbidden, and while beautiful, it was wrong. How could something that felt so right be so wrong?
The idea of climbing into the fertility pool with him, even to heal, screamed ‘bad fucking idea’. The pool was fed from the water cascading over crystals embedded within the design, spelled, heated, and filled with essential oils. It was here for healing, yes, but it was so much more.
Couples came here to have their unions blessed, signifying the beginning of their new lives together. The witches had designed the pool for seduction, blessing, healing, and creating life. I was about to strip naked and enter the water with this equally naked male that made my brain turn from brilliant to dense, faster than the speed of light. What could go wrong?
He was a savage who knew how to seduce your senses in all the right ways. Knox’s persona screamed, I’ll fuck you while killing you, and I’ll do it while making you come undone, and you’d happily do it, thinking both were your idea.
Knox oozed carnality, brutality, and savagery that called to my creature, telling me we were alike, while also so very different on so many levels. It was surprisingly shocking that he didn’t just look at a woman with the smoldering heat burning within him, and she’d wind up pregnant without even having to drop her panties.
I felt his fingers on my shoulders before the dress slid from my body, pooling at my feet, and a gasp escaped my lips as the cool evening air touched my flesh. Turning, I stepped back, swallowing past the tightening in my throat at finding him smiling roguishly.
His gaze lowered slowly, swallowing hard, and his smile faded as he inspected the red mark from where I’d scorched my wound on my abdomen closed earlier today. His blue eyes narrowed, slowly rising to search my face as he took in the rest of the damage.
Dismissing him, I bent over to remove my panties and strolled toward the pool. I let my gaze caress the waterfall, creating soothing noises. The moment I stepped into the water, it changed from crystalline blue to a peaceful, translucent blue-green of the Caribbean Ocean to match Knox’s eyes. The pool was reminding me of the male I’d allowed to mark me—stupid pool.
When I was deep enough, I dove into the water, trembling as it sent power rushing through me. The water’s magic sought the damage to my body and immediately went to work, fixing and repairing it.
Magic slithered over my nerves, soothing the aches and pain that echoed briefly before warmth washed over me. Every inch of my body came alive, heightening my senses and needs until I shot up from the water, peering around to search out Knox’s location. I scanned all around me, not finding him.
I touched my ribcage, finding the flesh smooth and unscarred. I could already tell my face had returned to normal, free of damage. My gaze moved across the surface of the water, not locating Knox.
It wasn’t until I’d turned in a full circle that he lifted from the water right in front of me, cupping my cheek before his thumb brushed over it softly. He studied the lack of damage with something tender in his gaze that threatened to undo the anger I’d stored up for him.
Knox lowered his mouth, and I turned away before his lips found mine. I felt him glaring at me, knowing I’d just given him the cold shoulder. He deserved it, and so much more. After a moment, I turned back to give him a biting look before sinking into the water once more.
He didn’t move, which caused me to open my eyes, realizing my mistake as something very masculine met my stare head-on. I sank toward the bottom, floating there leisurely with my eyes staring upward as Knox peered down, watching as I slowly sunk further into the depths weightlessly.
He didn’t join me, choosing to cross his arms over his chest while staring down at me. My hands touched