Read Online When Darkness Ends by Alexandra Ivy - Free Book Online Page A

prying into her relationship with her fiancé.
    But she didn’t. It was almost as if his steady gaze was compelling the words from her mouth.
    â€œIt will be my duty to provide at least six live heirs,” she muttered, revealing the truth that had been giving her nightmares since the engagement documents had been signed and her father had promised her future to a man who was little more than a cold, distant acquaintance.
    â€œDuty?” Predictably he pounced on her revealing word. “Shouldn’t that be a pleasure?”
    â€œI don’t know yet which it will be,” she muttered.
    â€œYou mean . . .” Something that might have been satisfaction flared through his eyes. “You haven’t slept together.”
    Her blush deepened. “It’s forbidden until after we wed.”
    His hands slid up the curve of her waist, halting a tantalizing inch from her breasts. A low groan rumbled in his throat.
    â€œHe must be a fucking saint.”
    Fallon’s mouth went dry. Her breasts were suddenly tingling, the nipples tight with a need she didn’t understand.
    â€œNot really.” She grimaced. “Magnus is allowed to keep a harem.”
    A hot, dangerous hunger blazed in the depths of his eyes as her voice came out as a low, husky whisper.
    â€œAnd you?”
    It was growing difficult to concentrate on the embarrassing conversation. She’d never had a man span her rib cage with his big hands, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts. Or look at her as if he was imagining her naked.
    â€œI’m expected to remain pure until the wedding night,” she managed to rasp between dry lips.
    A sound that was purely male was wrenched from Cyn’s throat as he leaned into her, his lips stroking a cool path of destruction over her cheek to the edge of her mouth. She barely dared to breathe as his intoxicating sensuality wrapped around her like a cloak.
    â€œAnd you call me a barbarian,” he said, the tip of his fang lightly scraping her bottom lip. “I, at least, appreciate that a woman has the right to make her own choices.”
    Her own choices . . .
    The fog of desire was abruptly pierced by a familiar pain.
    For God’s sake, did he think she wouldn’t give everything she possessed—her fortune, her palatial quarters in the palace, and even her position as princess—if it would mean she could gain control of her life?
    If she could be truly free?
    Her hands lifted to press against his chest. “I don’t want to discuss it.”
    â€œFallon—”
    â€œI need bowls,” she abruptly interrupted.
    He lifted his head, his brows arched. “Bowls?”
    She gave another push against his massive chest. He was more than just invading her space. He was battering her with sensations that were as unfamiliar as they were unnerving.
    â€œYes.”
    Perhaps sensing she’d reached the limit of her endurance, Cyn reluctantly loosened his hold and backed off the step.
    â€œI will have food delivered.” He folded his arms over his chest, looking all broody again. “I assure you there’s no need for you to slave in the kitchen.”
    As if she would know how to slave in a kitchen even if she wanted to.
    â€œI need them to scry.”
    He gave a curt nod. “Fine. I’ll take you there.”
    â€œIf you’ll just tell me where—”
    With a blinding speed, Cyn was grasping her shoulders and sealing her mouth in a kiss that spoke of hunger and irritation and a smoldering frustration that was oddly echoed deep inside her.
    Fallon was too shocked to immediately respond.
    No doubt a good thing since she didn’t have a clue if she wanted to slap his face or melt into his arms.
    Instead she whipped up a less than convincing appearance of outrage as he pulled away.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?”
    â€œI’ll let you know if I figure it out,” he growled, turning as if he