Chapter 15 #3
Iznia’s sobbed in broken, hiccupping gasps. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her ruined throat.
“I… I didn’t… please…”
Dalkhan loomed over her, flames casting restless shadows across his face. “You touched what belongs to me. You threatened her.”
My heart hammered as his burning gaze swept over everyone watching. The warning was clear—this wasn’t just about Iznia.
“If any of you ever lay a finger on her,” his voice carried the promise of unspeakable violence, “I will spend eternity making you beg for the mercy of death.”
Azmik turned his flaming head toward me, darting out his forked tongue. He hissed gently—affectionately—before dissolving into wisps of smoke.
Iznia staggered to her feet, keeping her head bowed as she fled. The rest of the crowd melted away until only we remained.
Jasila and Belshin emerged onto the balcony, both still wearing the aftermath of their battle. Jasila’s wild eyes flicked between Dalkhan and me before settling on Tavrik. She released a soft sound that might’ve been relief.
Dalkhan walked over to us where we were still crowded near the railing.
“Leave us.”
Mira’s fingers were still digging into me like anchors. Tavrik and Theo shared quick glances before their eyes found mine.
I nodded, and they began to move.
Belshin clapped a hand on Theo’s shoulder, steering him toward the exit. “Let us eat.”
“Thank the Heavens,” Theo said. “I was about to pass out.”
Once we were alone, Dalkhan moved closer.
“Show me,” he said. “Show me where she touched you.”
I tilted my head back, exposing my neck where angry red fingerprints marred my skin.
“It’s nothing, really. I’m—”
His large hands cupped my face, his mouth descending on my throat. The first press of his lips against my bruised flesh sent heat through my veins.
A soft sound escaped me as he kissed each mark with care, replacing her violence with his worship.
“No one touches you.” His breath warmed my throat. “No one touches what’s mine.”
He pulled away, bracing his hands firmly on my waist.
I looked up at him through heavy lashes, still dizzy from his touch. “What did Azmik do to her?”
His expression remained hard and unforgiving. “He punished her.”
Despite everything, guilt twisted in my chest. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Eventually.”
His tone suggested he didn’t particularly care when.
“How long will it last?”
“Until Azmik chooses to end the torment.” His mouth twisted in dark satisfaction, though his eyes remained deadly serious. “He is very protective of you. As am I.”
He captured my hand, intertwining our fingers. Bringing my knuckles to his lips, he pressed a kiss to each one while maintaining intense eye contact.
It was like he could see straight into my soul.
“Come.” He tugged me forward, and I stumbled after him, practically jogging to keep up with his long strides.
“And where exactly are we going?”
“For a ride.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What kind of ride?”
He must have caught the mischief in my expression, because his steps slowed.
“Not that kind of ride. Though if you keep looking at me like that…”
“Like what?” I asked innocently, catching my lower lip between my teeth.
“Like you want me to fuck you against the nearest wall.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I didn’t look away.
“Maybe I do.”
He stopped walking entirely, turning to face me with dark eyes.
“Don’t tempt me, little flame.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper as he stepped closer. “I have very little self-control where you’re concerned.”
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved, then he swept me off my feet so fast the world became a blur of motion and sensation.
“Dalkhan!” I shrieked, throwing my arms around his neck. I laughed, bright and uncontrolled—bouncing off the walls around us.
I locked my legs around his waist as his hands cupped my ass, supporting my weight effortlessly. The solid warmth of his body pressed against mine, his steady heartbeat thundering against my palms.
“What I wouldn’t do to keep that smile on your face.”
His honesty was devastating.
My heart did something complicated in my chest.
“You can put me down now.”
“I could,” he agreed, making no move to do so. “But I won’t.”
“Dalkhan—”
He adjusted his grip and flipped me over his shoulder. The world turned upside-down, my hair falling toward the floor like a waterfall as I stared at the broad expanse of his back.
“This is definitely not what I meant!” I protested, smacking his shoulder blades.
“I know exactly what you meant.” His hand came down on my rear with a sharp, echoing crack. “The answer is still no.”
I went limp, propping my elbows on his lower back and resting my chin in my palms. From this upside-down vantage point, the world passed by in reverse—the stone floor becoming my sky.
We passed clusters of people who flattened themselves against the walls, their hands flying to cover poorly concealed grins.
Heat flooded my cheeks as I realised what I must’ve looked like. If Theo had no shame, then Dalkhan was utterly shameless.
When he finally set me down, my legs were numb and unsteady.
I stumbled, reaching out to steady myself against his chest as the world righted itself. Blood flow returned to my limbs with painful tingles.
“Next time, maybe warn a girl before you decide to carry her around like a sack of grain.”
“Next time?” His smile was all sharp edges and dark promises. “I like the sound of that.”
“Don’t get any ideas.” I pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge an inch.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear. “Too late, little flame. I’m already full of ideas.”
I had to clear my throat to find my voice.
“So, where are we?” I asked, stepping back and looking around.
The night sky stretched above us, painted with a thousand diamonds that glittered against the velvet darkness. We stood in what appeared to be a vast meadow, silver moonlight turning everything dreamlike.
Dalkhan brought his thumb and middle finger to his lips. The sharp whistle pierced the night air, almost musical.
The earth beneath my feet trembled with the rhythm of approaching hooves, powerful and drumming against the soft ground. A harsh snort cut through the air.
I spun around.
What approached us wasn’t just a horse—it was a creature of legend.
Massive didn’t begin to describe him. He towered above us both, his coat gleaming like obsidian in the moonlight, each muscle defined beneath skin. His mane flowed like black silk, catching the breeze as he moved with grace that defied his size.
Dalkhan stepped forward, extending his hand. “There’s my beautiful boy,” he said affectionately.
The massive stallion lowered his great head, velvet muzzle pressing against Dalkhan’s palm. A deep rumble vibrated from the horse’s chest.
“He’s…” I took a tentative step closer, reaching out to touch his glossy coat. “He’s incredible. Does he have a name?”
“Torak.”
“Torak,” I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue.
The stallion’s ears flicked toward me.
Dalkhan gripped my waist, lifting me clean off the ground.
“Wait, what are you—” I latched onto his wrists desperately as he hoisted me up, placing me on Torak’s broad back.
“Shit.” I fumbled, my hands scrambling for purchase. There was nothing—no saddle, no handles, just the powerful animal beneath me.
I shifted my weight, trying to find balance as my thighs stretched wide over his sides. I clamped my muscles hard to keep from tumbling over the edge.
Before I could complain, Dalkhan swung up behind me, his body pressing against my back. One strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist, anchoring me to him.
“Where’re those…” I spun my finger in the air, my brain scrambling for the word as adrenaline coursed through me. “Strings? No, wait… ropes?”
Dalkhan’s chest rumbled against my back as he chuckled. “Reins.”
“Yes! Those!” I twisted in his hold, frantically patting along Torak’s neck. “Where are they?”
“There’s no need for them,” he said, his voice maddeningly calm.
I went rigid, fingers flying to his forearm. “What do you mean there’s no need—”
His free hand traced up my side, skimming the curve of my waist before coming to rest just below my ribcage. “Relax,” he murmured, his lips finding the sensitive spot just behind my ear.
“How can I relax when there’s nothing to hold on to?”
“You have me to hold on to,” he whispered, his arm tightening, pulling me flush against him. “Trust me. I’ve got you.”
Dalkhan made a sharp clicking sound with his tongue, his heel tapping against Torak’s side.
The stallion exploded into motion.
I slammed back against Dalkhan at the sudden acceleration, yelping. My nails dug deep into his forearms, certainly drawing blood. His iron grip around my waist was the only thing keeping me from flying off into the night.
Terror clawed at my insides as I squeezed my eyes shut, the wind becoming a violent hurricane that whipped my hair across my face. Torak’s hooves pounded against the earth like a war drum.
I was going to die. I was absolutely, completely going to die.
Then his voice flowed through the chaos, not spoken aloud, but pouring directly into my mind like warm honey.
“Open your eyes.”
I shook my head violently, my entire body rigid with terror and eyes still clamped shut like my life depended on it.
“Open them. I’ve got you.”
His voice was a soothing balm, slowing my racing heart just a fraction. I pried one eye open, keeping the other sealed shut against the rushing world.
Gradually, as his presence continued to anchor me, I opened both.
The landscape that swept past us was breathtaking. We flew across the moonlit meadow like we were riding the wind itself, Torak’s powerful strides eating up the ground beneath us. The landscape had blurred into streaks of silver and shadow, but instead of terrifying, it was magical.
“That’s it, little flame. See how beautiful it is?”
I drew in a shuddering breath. Slowly, so slowly, I loosened my death grip on his arm. The terror melted away, replaced by something else entirely.