The Illuminated by Maggie Sunseri

Author:Maggie Sunseri [Sunseri, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maggie Sunseri

Chapter 12

He offered me a hand. In an effortless dance of movement, he pulled me to my feet and into his arms. Soon I was in the low, king-sized bed, and Daelon was untying his shoes. Very, very slowly.

I sat up on my forearms, watching him undress.

His eyes flashed to mine, and suddenly he was on top of me, pushing me back down. He leaned in, his eyes holding mine in a way that stilled every part of me. I thought he was going to kiss me, and I realized I’d never wanted anything more, but when I moved to meet his lips his hand was on my throat. His thumb brushed against my bottom lip.

He leaned into my neck, and his kiss was nearly painful. I reached for his hair, but he was quick to catch my wrist and press it into the bed.

“Mmm.” He kissed my cheek. “No more clothes.”

He had me out of my dress so quickly I nearly giggled at the absurdity of it. And when he stared down at my body, it was almost angrily. His lips met my bare skin, leaving a trail from my neck to my stomach.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” Daelon growled, back at eye-level.

“And I you.”

“Why did you do that, Áine?”

“Do what?” But I knew what. He was asking why I kneeled before him.

He blinked at me, raising his brows.

“I—I wanted to. I needed to show you that I was yours, always. No matter what.”

He stroked the side of my face, looking away for a moment before returning his gaze. “He will never lay a hand on you.”

I nodded, drawing my brows together. “Of course not.” I was angry that Lucius had even managed to make it into the bedroom with us.

“I don’t think you understand, Áine. He wants to. I know him, and he’s made it very clear.”

I swallowed. “Why are we talking about this? The only way he would ever have a chance is if I agreed to whatever coronation ritual he’s planning, and even then, it would only be because I wouldn’t be me anymore. And that’s what he really wants. Lucius doesn’t want me. He wants a version of me that doesn’t exist—a version that will never exist. Because I will never be his Queen.”

“I’m not so sure,” Daelon said, and the words were like a dagger.

“Sure of what, exactly?” I said through clenched teeth.

He shook his head. “That he doesn’t want you as you are, right now.”

I looked at him incredulously. “I understand why you’re jealous. Because you have no idea how jealous I am, too. But it’s Lucius. He tells me every day that he doesn’t like who I am. Not to mention, it doesn’t matter what he feels because there’s no way in hell I’d ever reciprocate.” I scrunched up my nose. “Why are we talking about this right now?” I repeated. I was literally naked underneath him and he was talking about the worst person in our multidimensional reality, whose energy made me physically and psychically ill.

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