Shadows of the Crown by Dakota Monroe

Author:Dakota Monroe [Monroe, Dakota]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Caspian

Ariella’s lips are slowly—too slowly—shifting back to their natural rosy pink. I roll her hands between mine, as I have been for three hours, willing them to warm enough that their blue hue fades. She’s ceased shivering, though her skin feels too cold to be safe.

I will know who dared poison her with Harrow. They will pay deeply for this.

The tightness in my chest dissipates the heat when she shifts—I must remind myself of her progress. She’s no longer wheezing, her color is returning, and she’s not dead.

There is no other reason for my puffy face and worried, bleeding lips than I care more than I should. Flirting with the beautiful assassin is one thing…but the manner in which my heart immediately fell from my chest when she held up the poison-tipped arrow? How I was scolding Elowen for not bringing the saida tea quickly enough? The realization that I was trembling so hard I couldn’t be certain whether it was her hands or mine that shook more? All of it was immensely out of character for me…innate reactions to watching her succumb to the poison.

This woman whom I barely know, but desperately want to.

There is so much she hides, though I have the distinct impression that no one has ever cared enough to find out exactly what.

Namely, her essence. To possess all three affinities…how long has she kept such a heavy secret to herself? The isolation from truthful relationships is lonely.

Something I intimately understand.

My hands squeeze hers—not a comfort for her, I realize. My eyes search her unwitting face; the delicate curve of her nose that connects to slightly parted lips. Dark lashes that oddly do not match her illustrious hair. From the moment I saw her in the guest training room, I’ve wanted to run my hands through the silken strands—much like the grasp she had on mine earlier. I chew on my lip.

She’d held onto me so confidently, molding my body to the exact position she desired. It is almost shameful how badly I want her to do it again.

My head turns at voices outside my door. Much to his blatant disagreement, I’d ordered Gavriel that no one is to enter, so the sounds eventually disappear. I allow myself to relax next to Ariella, fighting my heavy lids as I continue massaging her hands.

Warm skin brushes lightly over my lips, stirring my exhausted mind. I shift and groan at Gavriel to leave me alone. I’m not in the mood to train this morning; especially after the previous night’s events.

An amused chuckle shakes my head. “I am not concerned with what you and Gavriel do in the evenings, but if you mistake me for that brute again, you will no longer have the appendages necessary to continue.”

I jolt up, my eyes fully alert and scanning the bemused woman I’m…currently sprawled across. “Shit, I’m sorry—did I hurt you? How are you feeling?” I carefully push away from her abdomen, heat rushing my neck at the imprint of my head.

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