Wings of Desire by Leona Wilde

Author:Leona Wilde [Wilde, Leona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

Pretending

Echo clings to me in the warm waters, her body pressed against mine as if she never wants to let me go. Stars, I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to keep her safe and never let her leave. Her shoulders tremble with her violent sobs, and I continue to stroke her hair, whispering reassurances that everything will be alright. It’s likely a lie, because I am unsure it ever will be.

As we hold one another, I hear the soft patter of tiny feet on the cave floor. The Volese have returned with food as promised. They are considerate enough not to disturb us, instead quietly placing the food on the edge of the pool before leaving.

“Otoki,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You must eat. The water will help us both heal. After we rest, we’ll search for my men. My wings will heal but, I will need time to dry them.”

She shakes her head, sniffling. “I don’t know if I can eat.”

The tiny thread of composure I have left snaps, and I pull her from my hold. “You will eat.” My voice is firm as I tip her chin up with my finger. “Do you understand me?”

Echo’s eyes smolder with defiance, narrowing indignantly. “Are you fucking serious?” Her tears are still fresh, but her lips twist into a grimace that stirs my temper. She’s intent on pushing back. Does she not understand that I’m wanting her to gain her strength back?

“Yes, I am very serious. You have to eat, and if I must feed you myself, I will.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Xakiras. I’m very capable of taking care of myself, so save your alpha male bullshit for someone else,” she snaps, shoving my chest with her palm.

But that only makes me hold her tighter. I back us against the pool’s edge, forcing my legs between hers. “You will eat, Otoki. Once you’ve done that, like the good little girl you are, I intend to show you just how good you can be.”

Echo doesn’t give into my demands; instead, she smirks, tipping her head up at me. “You think that’s going to work on me?”

I don’t fully understand my intention, only that I needed her to see reason. It’s vital to take care of herself. We’ve been going nonstop, and she needs to eat and rest. “I would never clip your wings, but I need you to stay alive and healthy.”

I reach behind her, grabbing a piece of fruit from the plate, and press it to her lips. The juices run down my hand, and before it falls, I flick my tongue out, licking it from my skin. The taste makes me crave more, wishing I could savor it from her mouth instead.

She refuses to open her mouth, but she doesn’t have to. I use my other hand to gently grasp the sides of her jaw, coaxing it open. Echo shakes her head in refusal, her eyes flaring with contempt. Instead of forcing the fruit inside her mouth, I trail it slowly over her lips.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.