Bride of Ashes (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #1)

23. Reyla

23

REYLA

W here was my shame? That should be the first thing I think of, not how amazing it felt to kiss Lore. I was lost in the storm of sensations his mouth dragged from deep inside me. Just hours ago, I'd fallen into Merrick's arms, whimpering as he claimed my mouth, as his hand roamed my body.

Something deep and powerful stirred in my core, a connection that both thrilled and terrified me.

As Lore pressed me against the wall of the ship, I wrapped my legs around his waist, fisting his hair, knowing I’d drown if I let go. His ravaging kiss demanded everything, and I answered his need in the same feral way and with the same desperation.

My guilt lay buried beneath the roar of desire bolting through my chest, hot and relentless. I couldn't think, couldn't process the whirlwind of emotions that raged inside me. All I knew was that I craved this, craved this man with an intensity that left me breathless.

His hand moved to my thigh, spreading me wider. He stepped closer and held my ass tight, as if he worried I’d slip away the moment he blinked. He rocked against me. The feel of his erection, even through the fabric of our clothes, gave exquisite torture. Each deliberate thrust sent shivers spiraling through me, building a fire that threatened to consume me whole.

It had been too long since I'd felt anything other than grief and duty. I'd locked up my needs along with my memories of Kinart. Now those walls were crumbling, and I was helpless to hold them back.

Tension built within me, a coiled spring about to snap. His mouth left mine, and he trailed heated kisses along my jawline and down the sensitive skin of my neck. I arched against him, my breath coming in short, furious gasps as he continued his relentless assault on my body.

His hand slid beneath my tunic, his fingers blazing a path up my side until they found my breast. He cupped it, his thumb gliding over my nipple, each stroke sending jolts of electricity to my core. Heat pooled between my legs, and an aching need for release grew stronger with each passing second.

His movements became more insistent, his groin thrusting hard against mine in a rhythm that was both familiar and maddeningly new. His length butted against my clit each time, the friction driving me wild. My body moved in sync with his, chasing the bliss beyond my reach .

“Lore,” I gasped, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears. It was a plea, a whisper of need I couldn't contain.

He responded by capturing my mouth again, swallowing my cries as he continued to drive me toward the edge. His fingers pinched my nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, and the sharp spark of pain only heightened the pleasure blazing a path across my soul.

I was lost in a sea of sensation, my world narrowing on the man who held me captive against the wall. His scent filled my lungs, a heady mix of sea air and everything uniquely him. His touch set my skin alight, each caress stoking the fire that raged within me.

Without warning, the dam broke. Wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over me, my body convulsing against his as I rode out the storm. Stars exploded behind my eyes, and I cried out, the sound carried away by the wind.

Lore's arms tightened around me, holding me close as the aftershocks rippled through my body. He rocked harder. More demanding as he drove me through my bliss while seeking his own with a guttural cry.

His pace slowed, softened, lightening to tease across my body as he brought me back down.

We stayed like that forever, the gusts of our lungs combining with the cool night air. His heart pounded against mine, a furious rhythm matching my own.

Guilt and confusion tried to claw their way to the surface of my mind, but I shoved them back down. His possession had been full and unyielding, as if he’d staked a claim on my soul. It should’ve alarmed me, yet I found myself clinging to him, my legs tightening around his waist, refusing to let him go. This was beyond reason, and the intensity of our shared climax left us both gaping.

When Lore lifted his head, I saw no shame on his face, only a look of pure satisfaction that mirrored the afterglow still floating through my body. But as my haze of passion began to clear, guilt slithered its way across my mind.

I was married to Merrick.

I respected him.

I was beginning to care for him in a way that both surprised and frightened me. This should never have happened.

My body throbbed with the echoes of pleasure, leaving me exposed.

When I squirmed in his arms, he lowered me carefully to my feet. My knees wobbled, the aftermath of what we’d done leaving me unsteady, but he kept a firm grip on my waist until I found my balance.

He took a step back, breaking our connection, and a chill stole the place his warmth had claimed. My eyes dropped to the front of his pants, where a wet patch told the story of his own release. Guilt twisted in my stomach, a stark reminder that this encounter wasn't only about my desires. It was a shared thing; one we could never take back.

Lore recovered with a speed that left me reeling. His features hardened into that familiar mask of disdain, the tenderness of what we’d shared vanishing as if it had never been there. The transformation was startling, and it cut deeper than I wanted to admit.

“Now you know what it feels like to be claimed by a viper, Wildfire,” he said, his voice a low growl that sent an unwelcome shiver across my skin.

The nickname now held the weight of our secret. I wanted to snap back at him, to say something equally mean, but the words lodged in my throat, refusing to come out. Instead, I turned away from him, my cheeks burning.

Farris trotted over to me and pressed against my side. With my hand on his head, I made my shaky legs take me away from Lore.

I didn't look back. I couldn't. I was afraid of what I might see, or worse, what I might feel.

My legs carried me away from the scene of our crime, my strides eating up the distance to my suite. I stumbled inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click. Farris started exploring the sitting area with his usual curiosity while I leaned against the frame, my heart still flipping around from the encounter.

The room appeared the same as when I left it, with moonlight streaming in through the porthole. The silver tray with the remnants of my dinner sat untouched, a reminder of how drastically things had changed in such a short time.

I pushed off from the frame and moved toward my bed, my legs heavy with remorse. Collapsing onto the plush mattress, I buried my face in my hands, the reality of what I’d done slamming through me.

I’d betrayed Merrick.

The thought of his kind eyes and sweet smile made my chest ache. I’d allowed myself to be seduced by his bodyguard, for fate’s sake, and I should burn for what I’d done .

I was weak, allowing myself to give in to a desire I had no right feeling. I’d let my guard down, and in doing so, I’d jeopardized not only my marriage but the fragile alliance between our courts.

As I lay there, the ship settling for the night around me, I knew I had to put an end to whatever this was between Lore and me. It was a mistake, a fleeting moment of madness that would not be repeated.

From now on, I’d focus on my duty, on the role I was destined to play as the queen of Evergorne Court. I had to be strong. I had to be the woman that Merrick believed me to be.

With a deep, shuddering breath, I pushed myself up from the bed and began to undress.

Each piece of clothing I removed and tossed aside became a symbolic shedding of what I’d done with Lore.