She gasped, arching into his wicked touch, shocking him, but delighting him, too. As he squeezed and kneaded her, she watched his face for any type of reaction. His pupils dilated. The sight sent shivers coursing through her. No hint of sickness.

How many times had she made it to second base with a guy, her mind rock solid but her body plagued by extreme nausea? Before each incident, she’d convinced herself things would be different. Alas. With Bane, her stomach remained calm while the rest of her revolted. Goose bumps spread over her chest and arms, sensitizing her skin. Her nipples beaded, pressing against her bra. Every time she inhaled, friction sparked. Mmm. Friction. Between her legs, the most delicious ache ignited, so unlike anything she’d experienced in the past. Glorious arousal, untainted by sickness.

What would happen if she yanked Bane closer and—

No! Don’t go there. Not with him.

Using the pad of his thumbs, he traced circles around her nipples. “Tell me to walk away, princess.”

Ahhhh. Please don’t walk away. But, but...he had to leave before she humiliated herself and asked...begged...for more. “Be strong enough to walk away on your own, sweetness.”

He flinched, then scowled, his arms falling to his side, leaving her bereft and far colder than before.

Drawing her knees up, creating a block between them, she asked, “What do queens do, exactly?” Back to the subject at hand.

“Whatever they desire.” He fisted and unfisted his hands, breathing in slowly, exhaling heavily, some of his tension evaporating. “Most queens are cosseted from birth, hidden until their Blood Rite.”

A new prickle of foreboding. “What’s a Blood Rite?”

“A time when a potential queen kills an enemy and wears his blood. A warrior breathes fire into her body. She burns to death and rises from the ashes.”

Nola didn’t know a whole lot about mythology, only tidbits she’d picked up from sci-fi–obsessed Vale, but Adwaewethians sounded more like phoenix than dragons. Burn to death, rise stronger. “Commit murder...paint myself in blood...let myself be burned to death? That’s what you expect me to do?” He had to be kidding.

“Yes, yes and yes. You will rise different. Evil. Your humanity, gone.”

He’d just described her dark side to a T. But she’d meant what she’d said. Mentally and emotionally she was strong. She would prevail against any twisted urges. “Why tell me these things? To scare me into refusing?”

“I tell you these things so you’ll be prepared. I want you to take part in the Blood Rite. And you’ll want it, too. An increase in power is irresistible.”

More power would be amazing, yes. Beyond amazing. More power meant better protection for Vale, beating Nola’s addiction and curing her diseases. More power meant...everything.