Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“I can’t let this be public,” he snapped, his frustration spilling over. “Don’t you understand?”
She flinched at the heat in his voice but then shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
For a moment, his gaze softened, but the difference was fleeting. His expression hardened again, though his words carried a thread of quiet desperation. “Paxton is only half Kurjan. The nation accepted him because I vouched for him. Everyone believes I’m fully Kurjan. They think I’m the rightful prince—some even want me to be king. But if our enemies—or even some of our so-called allies—find out I might be part demon, too…” He shook his head, his jaw tightening with controlled fury. “We’re dead.”
Her stomach twisted painfully, and her world seemed to tilt. There had always been a comfort in knowing Vero had the nation’s acceptance, that he could shield her from their enemies. But now, cracks formed in that safety, and fear spiraled through her chest.
“Then we need to find out if you’re part demon. And we can’t let anyone know.” Lyrica forced herself to calm. She couldn’t afford to panic—not now. “Have you told your brother?”
“No, not yet,” Vero admitted. “I thought I should speak with you first.”
A strange warmth bubbled up inside her at his words. She paused, trying to suppress the delight threatening to surface. Why would that make her so happy? “That’s…sweet, Vero.”
He stared at her, his expression unreadable. “I wasn’t trying to be sweet.”
She gulped, her cheeks flushing with warmth. “Then why?” Her gaze shifted to his hand, landing on the intricate mark etched into his palm. Understanding clicked into place. “Wait a minute… You bit me last night.” She looked up sharply, her pulse hammering. “You don’t think that you and I—”
“I have no idea,” he said, cutting her off. “We were wild and…passionate.” His voice softened slightly, but tension radiated off him. “But I didn’t see the marking on my hand until today.”
“Well,” she said, trying to sound logical despite the whirlwind in her chest, “if you wanted to mate me—just as a Kurjan—did you?”
He looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Mating as a Kurjan isn’t something that just happens, Lyrica. It’s deliberate. It’s permanent.” He paused, his gaze holding hers. “And no. I didn’t mate you.”
Relief flooded her, and she released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Some of that might be disappointment. She’d deal with that reality later. “Oh. Okay. But…” She hesitated. “That still doesn’t explain that.” She motioned to his hand.
“Kurjan mates,” he explained, his voice rough, “leave permanent marks during the act. We slash down to the bone of the shoulder, and the markings never heal. They don’t hurt, but they stay forever. I didn’t do that to you.”
Yep. An additional tiny bit of disappointment hunched her shoulders until she shoved them back. She might be falling for the soldier, but first things first. “Okay. So, let’s figure this out.”
“Pureblooded Kurjans mate by marking to bone. But demons? Demons don’t need to change the bones. The marking on the hand—transferring that marking during sex and a bite—is a permanent change.”
Her breath hitched. “Oh,” she whispered. Her gaze darted away, trying to process everything. “Okay. So…where were your hands when you bit me?” Heat licked at her skin, and memories of the night before surged back—wild, unrestrained, and overwhelming. Desire coiled in her belly as she tried to piece things together.
“Everywhere,” he said. “But when I bit you, my hand was on—”
“My…” She trailed off, embarrassment crashing over her. “Okay. You know what? I’m sure this isn’t what we think.”
Vero’s gaze darkened, and his jaw tightened as he stepped closer. “We need to know,” he said, his voice low but firm.
Lyrica tugged at the edge of her sweatshirt before pulling it over her head and tossing it onto the bed. Left in a thin tank top, she crossed her arms over her chest. She glanced up and froze. “Did you just growl?”
He didn’t move, his face implacable, but tension radiated off him.
She must’ve imagined the sound. Hands trembling, she reached for her yoga pants, pulling down the side just enough to expose her hip. She twisted, trying to see for herself, but there was nothing visible from her angle.
“Enough of that,” Vero said gruffly. Before she could protest, he plucked her out of the bed, placing her on her feet.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
He turned her around. “Looking for answers,” he said simply.
“Hey!” She slapped back at him. “Just—just let me check.”
“We have to know.” His tone left no room for debate. “Trust me.”
She gulped, heat rushing through her, but she nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But don’t pull them all the way off.” Embarrassment thickened her voice.
“Understood,” he said, his voice low. His thumbs slipped under the waistband of her yoga pants, moving slowly, deliberately. He eased them down just enough to reveal the curve of her left buttock. Cool air brushed her skin, sending a shiver through her. A molten heat zipped through her body as his fingers lightly grazed her exposed skin.