Threshold of Annihilation (The Firebird Chronicles #3) - T.A. White Page 0,130

clone could be dealt with.

Mental manipulation would be a lot harder.

For the first time in a long time, Kira felt utterly lost—caught between yearning and fear.

To come this far, to get this close, only to find the very thing she wanted more than anything was a mirage. She couldn’t think of a more horrifying ending.

Yet, she couldn’t stop herself from walking toward the inferno, even knowing she could very well end up consumed in the flames.

"You want to talk to her," Graydon stated.

Kira nodded.

It was the only way to know for sure.

Graydon released her hair and sat back. Kira dropped her feet to the ground.

"The Haldeel are restricting access to the prisoner," Graydon said with a considering look on his face. "We're in Haldeel space. Even as the Emperor's Face, I don't have enough power to get you an audience."

The barely formed hope in Kira curdled.

"There is one way,” Graydon said, sending Kira’s heart pounding. “Earn a boon from the Haldeel. Impress them, and they may let you speak to her unobstructed.”

Kira stared at Graydon unblinking; her thoughts scattered.

He cupped her chin, his thumb brushing across her lips. "You seem surprised, cheva nier."

Kira leaned forward before she could talk herself out of it. Graydon acted fast, pulling her against him. In the next instant, she found herself straddling him.

Graydon yanked her lower body closer to his hips, fitting his hardness against her bare core.

Her robe had long since parted, giving him access.

Breath hissed out of her as his palms cupped her bare ass.

Kira tipped her head back, relishing the feeling of warm lips as they trailed across her throat.

It no longer mattered that common sense warned her away from him.

One touch sent reason fleeing. Desire replaced it.

This time there were no oshota to remind them of their duties.

It was just Graydon and Kira and the heated expanse of skin.

"You're mine," Graydon whispered against her neck.

His hips moved, thrusting up and causing Kira's eyes to roll back. It was as if he wanted to imprint himself so deep in her bones, she'd never be rid of him.

Kira sank her fingers into his hair. "Only if I want to be."

His chuckle sent vibrations tingling through her.

Damn man. It was like he had a direct line to her sensitive bits.

His talented hands delved under the robe that had fallen loose. They wrung a moan from her as they explored each curve, lingering on the places where she was most sensitive.

Kira rolled her hips, feeling a fierce sense of satisfaction at the way his hands clenched on her waist and a groan slipped free.

His eyes were wild as he reached over, tapping a command into his forearm. Kira watched greedily as his armor peeled off, revealing bronze skin.

He didn't give her time to explore, his hands sweeping along her sides and cupping her breasts. Kira jumped as he pinched her nipples, soothing the sting seconds later.

His eyes held hers in a silent dare as one hand trailed down her belly, past her navel, and to the apex of her thighs.

Kira huffed as those fingers changed direction, drawing patterns on the sensitive skin there.

Graydon's smirk deepened as he continued to play, increasing the anticipation until it was almost unbearable.

Kira's eyes flashed in warning.

She sat forward, attacking his neck with a string of kisses as her hands slid lower.

They reached the edge of his armor just above his hips. Her fingers danced along the smooth skin.

"If you want to play, I'm game," she said with a smirk.

In answer, Graydon speared one finger into her, his thumb rubbing against her clitoris at the same time.

Kira's breath caught as her eyelids fluttered.

Oh, that felt good.

"Be careful not to awaken something you can't handle," Graydon warned.

Kira skated her nails up his chest, pressing lightly. Not hard enough to draw blood or do damage, just hard enough that he could feel it.

This time it was his turn to suck in a shaky breath.

"You should be cautious of the same," she told him with a teasing grin.

Kira didn't have long to gloat as Graydon's fingers started moving again.

Soon, warmth pooled in her lower belly. Tension climbed as she felt her body approaching the precipice.

Not without him.

If she was going to get lost in this madness, she wasn't doing it alone.

Kira dipped one finger beneath his armor but could go no farther.

"Take it off," she said around a breathy moan.

His chuckle was warm. "Are you sure about that?"

Her eyes pinned him with a look.

His grin widened seconds before the armor that had