A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

16. Tempest

16

TEMPEST

M y lungs wheezing, I shoved against Vexxion’s shoulders. “Get off me.” As much as I savored lying beneath him on the bed, he hadn’t brought me here to love me.

“Ivenrail is here,” he bit out. “I’ll take you somewhere safe.”

“That place doesn’t exist.”

“His dragon was flying right at us,” he snarled. “What don’t you understand about that?”

“Madrood is mine.”

I flitted us back to the lawn, and fool that I was, I kept us in the same position with me lying beneath him on the grass.

The three dragons landed on the lawn a short distance from us. My friends just stared our way.

Would you like me to intervene? Humor came through in Madrood’s voice . Or would you prefer to remain beneath the fae lord ?

This is not a sexy moment.

“What do you mean, Madrood is yours?” Vexxion levered himself up and off me, offering me his hand to help me stand.

I could get up on my own, thank you very much. Grumbling, I did so.

I really wasn’t good at this wooing stuff. Should I have taken his hand and when he helped me, pretended to stumble so I could swoon against him? I could’ve batted my eyelashes at him like I’d seen other women do with guys they liked. Puckered my lips in hopes of a steamy kiss.

Nah, crap like that just wasn’t me.

I’d have to find another way to make him love me again. Back at the fortress, he’d enjoyed me snapping at him, so maybe I should take that tactic.

If the controller is irritating you, I’d be happy to scorch him, Madrood said in a bland tone.

Don’t touch him.

“You’re talking to him in your mind,” Vexxion said with a mix of horror and amazement.

“We bonded.” I strode over to Madrood’s side and patted his leg. “He’s mine now.”

More or less, Madrood said.

Isn’t that what bonding means?

He huffed. I’m not a chall who’ll curl up on your lap and purr.

Now isn’t that one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard? My low laugh rang out, and Vexxion flinched, his pupils widening. His gaze darkened as he swept it down my frame. Silly me tingled. I’d never tingled in my life outside of this man. Don’t hurt Vexxion .

I won’t as long as he doesn’t hurt you, Madrood said.

He’ll never harm me.

That’s not what I mean. He swung his head around to nudge me playfully, and I stroked his snout while the others gaped at us. They’d seen me ride him the day before. Why were they shocked by his sweet behavior?

I have a well-deserved reputation, Madrood said. I promise not to cause any harm to your mate.

Because he’s my mate?

Because I respect him. He’s the only person who never feared me.

What about Ivenrail? I asked as the others swung their bags up onto the dragons, securing them to the spikes between the beasts’ shoulders.

I did as Ivenrail asked, which made him feel he was above me. But he quaked when I came near. Grim satisfaction came through in his words. He thought he hid it well, but I felt it. I swore Madrood smirked, though he could just be curling his lips away from his forearm-length fangs.

He had good reason to be afraid. I saw you burn a fae lord the day I arrived at the castle. I’m sure you saw me quaking.

Dragons sense intention, and the emissary was evil. I enjoyed making him crispy.

The memory of the smell coated my sinuses, and I shuddered.

It must be hard to beat Ivenrail when it comes to evil, I said.

You’re right.

The emissary wasn’t the first or probably the hundredth you’ve killed.

He paused for so long, I began to believe he wouldn’t answer. Hefting my bag, I clambered up his leg and secured it on his neck spike before sliding back to the ground.

No, he wasn’t, Madrood finally said.

Why did you do that for Ivenrail? Hesitation came through in my voice.

If I didn’t, someone else would’ve, he said simply.

Dead is dead.

There are many ways to die, and I made it quick. Remember that.

Unlike Ivenrail, who savored dragging out someone’s pain until it consumed them.

“You’ll ride with me on Glim.” Vexxion strode over to us, not sparing a glance at Madrood who towered above him a quarter the size of Weldsbane Manor.

“I’m riding Madrood,” I said.

A growl ripped up Vexxion’s throat.

Brodine joined us, his arm going around my waist, his hand landing on my lower spine. “I’ll ride with you, Tempest, if you want.”

“She’s with me,” Vexxion snarled.

Brodine’s arm dropped away, and he eased forward to put himself between us, his sharp gaze meeting Vexxion’s. “I respect you, though I wish I didn’t. But Tempest means everything to me. If she doesn’t want to ride with you, I won’t allow you to force her.”

“I’m flying with Madrood,” I said again, easing around them to the dragon’s front leg.

Truly, I could scorch him, Madrood said dryly. Just a bit. I promise I won’t cause him great harm .

Don’t touch him.

As you wish. He remained still while I settled on his spine.

Vexxion flitted, seating himself behind me.

“I thought you were riding your own dragon,” I said.

His arm went around my waist, and he tugged me back until I could feel every part of this man I would crave forever. “You, tiny one, will always ride with me.”