by Mara McQueen
Ava's eyelids fluttered as he peppered small kisses all along her clavicle.
In a blink, he turned them around, so he was lying on top of her. Ava liked his weight over her. Liked feeling his breath across her forehead and the tips of his hair tickling her cheek.
He captured her lips in one of those kisses.
Searing. Demanding. Maddening. It left her breathless, craving more.
Then he stopped, the bastard, dipping his head lower. Ava almost protested, but the words died on her lips as his hot mouth circled her nipple through the nightgown. Ava arched shamelessly into him, all doubts and hesitation forgotten.
She wiggled out of her nightgown and threw it far away. Raiden inhaled sharply, eyes glazing over as he took all of her in.
Ava reclined back on the pillows, watching him watching her. She'd never been all that shy about her body, but she'd never felt as bare as now, when Raiden's hungry gaze caressed every inch of her.
"You're gorgeous," he whispered against her flushed skin as his lips trailed down her stomach. "Absolutely gorgeous."
His fingers snaked down the sides of her underwear—why had she even bothered to wear them—and slip them off slowly.
Ava closed her eyes as his tongue darted out to taste her, going up past her calves, thighs, hips, breasts, neck, stopping by the shell of her ear.
"Is this okay?" he whispered hotly.
Her eyes snapped open. Okay? This was a fantastic inferno that burned through her and all Ava wanted was more.
She was clutching the sheets, back arched, head thrown back. She hadn't even been aware her body had contorted itself.
"Of course it's—" She caught his amused eyes and narrowed hers. "You're not playing fair."
"Yes, I'm despicable." He laughed low in his throat, trailing one of his fingers down her torso in lazy loops. "And I don't plan on stopping."
Good. She'd been waiting for this for twenty-four goddamned years and couldn't take one more second of it.
His finger dipped lower and lower, not taking his eyes away from hers.
All the amusement vanished, replaced with that tension that blistered between them whenever they got too close. Ava finally recognized it for what it was—pure, raw desire.
Her body trembled with anticipation as his fingers found her center and pushed in achingly slow.
They groaned at the same time, melting together in another kiss as the pressure built and built and that frenzy took over them again.
Her fingers wound into his hair, gripping tightly, as his pushed faster inside her. He kept his dark eyes on her face, drinking in every reaction, every stuttered breath.
The pressure inside Ava rose hard and fast, coursing through her body. But just as her body tensed for that sweet, sweet release, Raiden pulled back, leaning toward the nightstand.
"What are you doing?" she mumbled. At least she could still form sentences.
"Wait."
Ava huffed. "You like giving orders in bed, too?"
"Yes," he said with all the haughtiness of a Prince. He stilled, looking down at her. "Unless you don't like it."
Ava licked her top lip. "I think I do."
His smile turned devilish. "By the time we're done, you're going to love it."
He searched through the nightstand drawer, brows furrowing. "There we go. Thank heavens for Marcella and her thoroughness."
He pulled out a condom. Ava sucked in a breath as another wave of anticipation washed over her. They were really doing this.
He kicked off his pants, covering her writhing body with his and stilling her.
"Tonight, we're going to take things slow," he whispered and stole another kiss. "But tomorrow, I'm going to fuck you as hard as you've been dying to."
Ava jerked a nod. Yes, hard, fast, him.
He pushed inside her, hands gliding up the sides of her body in soothing patterns. Ava tensed.
This was new. This was right on the cusp of amazing and too tight.
"Breathe," he said, tongue doing delicious things to her earlobe and neck.
She did. She sucked in breath after breath as he advanced achingly slow. Then his hips snapped upward. Ava rolled her head back as an ungodly moan ripped from her throat.
Strange, wonderful sensations coursed through her as he began moving faster, eyes shut. He was forcing himself to be steady, unhurried. For her.
It warmed Ava's heart, it did, but now that she'd finally felt him, all of him, she wanted everything.
She coiled her legs around his waist and pulled him in. She was beyond words, driven by instinct.
His eyes snapped open, turning darker and wild. They bored into hers as he began thrusting harder.
"You like this, don't you?" he asked between gritted teeth. "You like it when I fuck you hard. You like it when we lose control."
"I love it." Her eyes rolled in the back of her head. This. This is what she wanted.
Ava's hips rolled with his, the pressure building again.
Raiden covered her hands with his, twining their fingers, as they moved together faster. Their sweaty bodies slid against each other, their groans melting together as they moved at a frantic pace. Wanting. More. Now.
They set a maddening rhythm, pulling, gripping, thrusting until all logic vanished and nothing remained except this primal need burning through them.
Ava felt like something was very close to bursting inside of her and she wanted it so badly. Her head trashed against the pillow, incomprehensible words melding with her moans and the sweet nothings Raiden whispered in her ear.
"Let go," he said, voice harsh and unrestrained. "Let go, I've got you."
He sunk his teeth into her shoulder and Ava fell over the edge.
Raiden's hands tightened around her body as they soared and fell together.
They melted into the mattress, sweaty and satisfied.
Ava blinked the lust away, feeling her muscles relax one by one. She still felt Raiden inside her.
Yeah, they were definitely doing that again.
"Safe to say slow isn't for us," she mumbled with a laugh.
"It's not," he said, kissing the mark on her shoulder. "But who cares? All that matters is you and me."
Chapter Forty-Six
AVA
Ava coughed in front of the window for the third time that morning, just as another guard passed the courtyard.
She was oh-so-sick and had to switch to a warmer room last night. Obviously. She'd get a real sore throat at this rate.
She couldn't outdo it, though. She closed the windows and pulled the heavy drapes, feeling every deliciously sore muscle.
Another wave of desire washed over her as she remembered last night. This morning? She didn't even know. Time had melted away as she and Raiden had lost themselves in each other again and again.
But the real world had slithered in just as he'd slipped away from her embrace.
They were heading back to the city tomorrow and they needed to return guns blazing to get rid of Banu and Dima.
Ava took a deep, centering breath. It was going to be alright. They'd come up with a plan.
Someone knocked at the door. Softly. Not Raiden, who would have prowled in. Not Seleka; even her knocks were strong and efficient. Marcella, bringing in more of Ava's stuff?
"Come in," Ava called, tying her robe more securely.
The door opened, revealing Kimbra, who was smiling from ear to ear. She stepped inside, carrying a heavy, ancient box. She set it down on top of the dresser, next to Ava's trinkets and crown, which Marcella had dutifully arranged.
Ava inhaled sharply.
"You recognize this, then." Kimbra laughed that crystal laugh of hers and stepped back.
Recognize it? Ava had been cursing it for almost two months. It represented all her naive little dreams, trampled to bits in one day.
She approached the box slowly and lifted the lid. The pearl crown lay inside in all its glory.
"It's come back to its rightful owner," Kimbr
a said. "I think it missed you."
Had Ava missed it? Maybe, at first. But now that she was staring down at it, all she saw were responsibilities she wasn't sure she was ready for. But she had to be.
Because once they stepped inside the city gates again, they needed to be ready for all hell to break loose.
She touched the beaded strings and rolled the pearls between her fingers, watching the rainbow light bounce off them onto her fingers.
"Thanks," she muttered, mesmerized. "And for last night, with the guards. And Bethany, too, of course."
Kimbra came closer. "Thank you."
Ava's brows furrowed. "For what?"
"For not hating me." Kimbra shrugged, voice lowering. "Between marrying Raiden and, you know, my parents wanting to kill you, I'm not exactly favorite-person material."
"Why would I hate you?"
No, seriously—why? Yes, she'd been envious of her, when Ava had thought Kimbra had the whole world in the palm of her hand while Ava was forced to sulk away in the corner, like an intruder, but she'd never had any reason to hate her. "None of that's your fault. Even if you had married Raiden for real, you hadn't made any promises. It was his damn fault. I was upset you didn't warn me, though."
Kimbra's eyes softened. "I couldn't."
"I know." Ava smiled back. She did like Kimbra; she'd been the first one to show her genuine kindness around here, from the first day, when she had no interest in doing so, and Ava would never forget that. "As for your parents...they dug their own graves. I'm sorry."
She didn't have to say what she was sorry for. Kimbra nodded, the corners of her eyes looking glassier.
Because Banu and Dima would have to pay.
Ava didn't loathe them all that much, despite three attempts on her life. At least not compared to the people responsible for her parents' deaths. Her hatred for them had no bounds and would never vanish until they disappeared underground.
But Raiden would show no mercy for the advisors. Ava had seen the ruthlessness in his eyes whenever he mentioned them.
Whether she was ready for it or not, she was becoming Crown Princess in less than twenty-four hours. Better get used to the idea now.
She picked up the crown and put it on her head. Huh. She didn't feel all that different. She turned to the mirror in front of the bed. Her reflection looked back at her, standing proud.
"How is it?" Kimbra asked.
"Heavy." Ava swallowed deeply. Not only because it had beads and pearls up to the sky, but because it represented a duty Ava felt she hadn't earned.
"It's going to feel lighter as the years pass." Kimbra smiled, lighting up the room. "I promise."
Hopefully. But something still felt a bit off about it. It didn't feel like her. It was so bright and perfect. Nothing like her hectic life.
Ava looked in the mirror at her other crown's reflection. Maybe some adjustments were necessary.
The door wooshed open and Raiden walked in, eyes on the assassin's phone. "Your cousin Toni is a genius—"
He froze when he saw Ava. "Hello."
She smiled in the mirror. "Hi."
That tension crackled in the room again.
"I'll leave you two alone." Kimbra laughed and closed the door.
As soon as the lock vibrated through the old wood, Raiden snapped out of whatever reverie had taken hold of him and prowled toward Ava.
Chapter Forty-Seven
AVA
He stopped behind Ava, watching her in the mirror.
A knowing grin graced his face as he leaned in a half-bow. "Your Majesty."
Ava inhaled sharply. "What happened to Highness?"
He circled his hands around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. Ava leaned into his warmth.
"When we go back to the city, I want to officially ask for the throne. Enough is enough," he said, deep voice beating through her. "My parents will be more than happy to give it up, so they're not the problem. But I need to get Banu and Dima on board with the idea before I deal with them permanently. I haven't figured out how to accomplish that. Yet."
"So…" Ava licked her lips, heart racing. This new life was coming straight at her. "If all goes well tomorrow, you'll become the Brotherhood King—"
"And you'll become Queen." He nestled his nose against the shell of her ear and inhaled deeply. "Finally stepping into the roles we were born for."
Ava's stomach rolled. Last week, she didn't think she was fit to be a discarded Princess, now she was supposed to lead an entire Clan?
Raiden frowned. "What's wrong?"
Ava sighed, the crown's strands clinking around her face. "Honestly?"
"From now until we close our eyes for the last time."
Ava covered her hands with his. Yes, no more secrets.
"I don't think I deserve the title," she finally forced out, gaze falling. There. Now it was out in the open, too.
Darius had been the heir to the Serpents and all he'd done was drink and snort his way through the Clan's accounts.
"Look at me."
Ava met his eyes in the mirror.
"You've already saved a Brotherhood member's life," he said. "That's more than some Clan leaders can say."
"That's different. I knew Marcella, I reacted."
"You're right, it is. Because it's easy to make decisions for hundreds of nameless, faceless people while you're sitting on a throne, protected by a dozen guards. It's harder when you put your own life on the line."
Maybe. He would know best. He went out on missions all the time, fighting with his Elite Brothers and Sisters. Ava had never even seen a mission memo.
Her mind hadn't been molded by the Underworld. Syndicate blood ran through her veins and she had a Brotherhood crown on her head. The two most powerful Clans in the world rested on her shoulders and Ava hadn't contributed to either.
If grandpa Baron saw her now, he'd disown her.
"Do you want to be a good leader?" Raiden asked.
"Yes." Desperately.
"Are you willing to do everything in your power to become one?"
She nodded steadily. Until she scuffed her knuckles, dried her eyes out, and talked her throat hoarse.
"Then you will. Everything can be taught and I'll be right there, by your side, to help." His large palms circled her shoulders. "Just the fact that you aren't taking this for granted should convince you you're more worthy of this title than anyone else who could claim it. Rulers aren't born, they're created. And I'm glad I'll have you by my side to lead through the upheaval that's coming our way. Because this won't be easy, Ava."
No, it wouldn't be. After they dealt with Banu and Dima, they still had to discover who was behind the wedding massacre. Who'd killed her parents. Who wanted to ruin so many lives so badly.
It suddenly felt like too much. As soon as they left this happy, sleepy town, their lives would be in danger. A-fucking-gain. Banu and Dima wouldn't go quietly. They had an entire squadron on their side, devoted and bribed enough that they were ready to let assassins into Ava's room.
Raiden must have been thinking the same thing, because his grip on her shoulders tightened, as if he never wanted to let her go.
"We still have a few hours left before we need to return to the real world." His smile turned sharper as his hands slid down to the opening of her robe. "Let's get some of the tension out, shall we?"
God, yes.
Chapter Forty-Eight
RAIDEN
A few more hours until Raiden had to face the hardest task of his life, come out a winner, become King, avoid unrest in his Clan, and protect Ava.
He was definitely feeling the strain.
But the moment he saw her with that crown on her head, everything fell into place for him. Ava might doubt herself as the new Queen, but he didn't.
This was the woman who'd asked about her horse first thing after her accident. Who'd treated her staff so well, they were all loyal to her; even Seleka, who'd sworn off loyalty when she left the Brotherhood. Who hadn't hes
itated to stab her groom-to-be or the assassin last night. The one who'd left her comfy hiding place to not only save Marcella's life, but who'd fired her gun, knowing full well she could be seen, to save Raiden.
He hadn't told Ava he'd noticed, but without that one bullet, there was a chance he wouldn't be standing here now.
She would be astounding on that throne. She was righteously ruthless and she would be glorious. Raiden would do everything in his power to help her see that—once they left this room.
His hands snaked to the tie holding her robe in place, eyes not leaving her face. He wished she could see herself as he did. The way her eyelashes swept over her freckled cheeks when they fluttered. How her nose and the tips of her ears blushed first. That wild look she had in her eyes when she was turned on.
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
He undid the tie, sliding her robe off. His mouth watered at seeing her completely naked, wearing nothing but her crown. She was a sight and he was the only one who got to behold it.
He left a trail of kisses along her shoulder blades, loving the way her spine flexed under his touch.
She made to turn in his arms. He stilled her, catching her chin and raising it high.
"Keep looking in the mirror," he said and stepped back, pulling her along with him.
He guided them toward the bed, stopping at the edge. He took his sweet time taking off his clothes, loving the blush spreading all over Ava's body.
He'd barely touched her and she was already flushed. He covered her naked body with his. Ava rolled her head back, giving him all the access he wanted to her lovely neck.
Raiden licked and kissed that one spot behind her ear that made her eyes roll into the back of her head. Her soft moan echoed around them, spurring him on.
He wanted her. Now. And from the way her hips were already flexing back against him, she was just as ready.
He climbed onto the bed, pulling her in front of him so that she still faced the mirror.
He wanted her to see herself in all her glory. He knew there was a wicked mind hiding underneath that beautiful face and he wanted to explore all of it.