She must have noticed, sensed his submission, for her hands loosened and her mouth parted, sending a delicious tongue to sweep across his own.
A wave of pleasure flowed through him as he took the invitation, just as he had those four years ago. He wrapped his hands around her small waist, pulled her supple form deeper into his hard chest, and devoured her.
And though this was a kiss of farce, nothing in the way his body responded to her was pretend. Alōs only hoped, as he claimed her lips, magic purring, Niya wouldn’t notice.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
It was Niya’s nightmare all over again. Because it was exactly like her dreams.
Alōs’s ministrations were exquisite, his lips full and skilled. His hands were steady, strong, as he held her against the wall. He tasted like rich wine and experience.
Goose bumps were dusted across Niya’s skin.
A betrayal.
In the back of her mind she knew everything about this was wrong, horrible, that she should shove her knee swiftly into his groin. But they were trapped with guards nearing.
Please.
The one word that had done her in. The plea that had shredded through her resolve. His need for her, and not just physically. No, it was him knowing that she held his future in the balance, and it sent an intoxicating wave of power through her.
Please, I am at your mercy.
And what separated her from him was that she was strong enough to give it.
Niya had leaned into what was already happening, a sick part of her reveling in it, wanting it. She’d melted her tightly spun energy, letting it pool beneath her feet, and tugged Alōs into a kiss.
A deep rumble of approval came from him as he pinned her harder to the cool wall. He was pure muscle and soft caresses. The heady scent of sea and midnight orchids filled her nostrils as she inhaled, and suddenly she was four years younger, alone with him in the privacy of her Thief Kingdom dressing room.
Niya was seated in front of her looking glass, tucking a piece of escaped hair into her headdress. She was adorned in a gold silk costume, preparing to leave for one of the many soirees happening in the palace that night, when she felt his cool energy, a chilled kiss beneath her covered neck.
In the reflection of her mirror, Niya watched a painting at the far end of her chambers edge forward and a tall, imposing man step out.
“You’re not meant to be in here,” said Niya, watching his dark form prowl close.
Alōs remained quiet as he came to stand behind her, his glowing turquoise eyes drinking in her costumed form.
Niya’s body filled with a cool wind of anticipation.
Alōs was so beautiful. So consuming. So commanding. So untouchable.
All at court wanted to be near him. And she knew many had invited him to their beds.
But night after night the pirate lord had sneaked into her chambers, not theirs.
Niya’s vanity glowed at the thought, preened at the temptation to give in to his loyalty to her and finally allow his skin to brush against hers, uncovered, bare, exposed.
“Were you hoping to catch me without my costume on?” teased Niya.
Alōs’s grin sparked in the candlelight. “I’m always hoping to catch you, fire dancer.”
They were an arresting sight, reflected in her mirror. Niya, in her shining gold-studded headdress and mask, her crown of pearls. Alōs, in his devastating beauty wrapped in darkness, brown skin smooth in the glow of her candelabras.
He leaned down, warm breath playing over her thinly veiled ear. “Do you think tonight will be the night when ice can finally play with fire?” he mused.
“Oy! Lovebirds!” A shout cut through Niya’s memory, heat and haze dissipating. “You cannot be here.”
Alōs released his hold on Niya, his soft mouth leaving hers in a cooling whoosh, as he glanced to their intruders.
“Excuse me?” asked Alōs, his voice calm, not at all matching the pounding beat Niya felt in her chest. She placed a steadying hand against the wall as the gazes of the guard and two servants roamed over where she and Alōs were still partially embraced.
“You need to leave,” said the guard, eyes narrowed. “This wing is for the royal family and those who serve the—” The man cut himself off, eyes widening in recognition as he took in Alōs fully. “Sir.” The man bowed quickly. “Forgive me. I did not recognize you, but I’m afraid you are still not allowed in this part of the palace.”
“Oh?” Alōs straightened, bringing Niya with him as he curled an arm around her. She blinked, shaking off her momentary fluster to play along. She draped herself against Alōs’s side. “I do apologize,” he said. “I don’t even know where exactly we are.”
“This is Princess Callista’s private wing,” explained the guard. “No unaccompanied guests are allowed here.”
“Of course, of course.” Alōs nodded. “We weren’t paying attention to where we were walking. I was merely looking for a quiet place to . . . well, you saw.” He gave the guard a conspiratorial grin.
One of the servants chuckled before swallowing the sound after a stern scowl from the soldier.
“Of course, Lord Ezra,” he said.
“They could try the library,” the other servant suggested.
“Barneth,” admonished the guard.
“What?” Barneth shrugged. “We all know it’s always empty, and it’s not only guests who have been known to frequent its . . . seclusion.”
“It sounds perfect,” said Alōs. “Where can we find this library?”
The guard still appeared unsure, as if it was against his duties to show where one might be able to snog another.
“I beg of you,” said Alōs. “It would be a tragedy to have my night with this one end so early.”
Niya dug her nails into Alōs’s back as his hand lowered to her hip.
Alōs merely grinned wider.
The guard assessed Niya, his gaze lingering on her more ample parts.
Look longer and we’ll see how well you’ll see tomorrow, she thought.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt,” the man said slowly, “but you mustn’t disrupt any books.”
Alōs placed a hand to his chest. “We will not go close to a single one.”
The guard nodded, seemingly mollified. “We can show you the way.”
“Oh, we would hate to take up any more of your time,” said Alōs. “Merely point us in the right direction, and we shall go there promptly.”
The group walked the long way back down the hall, passing the alcove where they had hid, and halted where the corridor split into many paths.
“Take the stairs at the end there.” The guard pointed to where a doorway led to descending stairs. “The library will be at the bottom on the right, through the double doors at the far end.”
“I am in your debt,” said Alōs. “See, my love?” He pulled Niya closer against him. “I’ll be able to finish what you were begging me to start.”
Niya wanted to cut off each and every one of his fingers.
“Enjoy yourselves,” the servant, Barneth, whispered as they passed.
Niya and Alōs watched the group leave, pretending to turn toward the library before quickly doubling back once the guard and servants were out of sight.
Niya shoved Alōs away from her as they strode down the corridor to the princess’s rooms, a good deal quicker this time. “If you ever try something like that again,” she hissed, “I will melt the skin from your body.”
“You should be thanking me for the suggestion,” said Alōs. “We were about to be caught.”
“I’ll thank you to find a better alternative next time.”
“As I remember it, you were not offering up any viable options yourself that wouldn’t have raised alarms. But I’m flattered my kiss appears to have affected you this much.” Alōs’s smile dripped smugness.
“The only thing it affected was my dinner threatening to be expelled.”
They quieted as they drew closer to the far corner. Niya sneaked a quick glance around the bend.
Two guards stood in the middle of the hall, guarding the large double doors of Callista’s chambers.
“They are not blessed,” said Niya as she pressed back against the wall.