“Already angry? What could you possibly already be angry at me about? Onas?”

His arm whipped out, snatching hers and dragging her behind him while he maneuvered around the closest aisle, hiding them from view. Snarling, he twisted, stepping into her and forcing her to retreat until her back bumped a shelf.

“From the moment you were born, my sole purpose has been to protect you. Nothing else. You. And you dangle it in my face every time you brush off my attempts to do my job.”

She blinked, trying to separate his racing emotions from her own. It was like he couldn’t decide whether he wanted to fuck her or throttle her, or both.

“If we were in any other circumstance I’d understand, but come on, Jaren, did you see him? The poor male was shaking harder than a leaf in a winter storm. What was he going to do in the middle of the library? Throw a scroll at me?”

Arms bracketed her head a second later, his scent swirling around her as he leaned down in her face. “That’s the second time you’ve hinted that you’re safe just because you’re within the palace walls, Daughter to the Throne.”

The wood behind her creaked beneath his hands as he stepped flush against her. “May I remind you it was this exact palace that I lost you the first time.”

Was it hot in there? She swallowed, lungs pressing into her ribcage as her breathing became more labored. “We were alone then. We’re not alone in here. There are scribes wandering everywhere,” she said, hoping he didn’t point out that they’d only seen one on their way up there.

“Really? Because I could do whatever I wanted to you right now, little star, and there’s not a fucking thing those walking parchments could do to stop me.”

“Good thing I’m perfectly capable of it then.”

He rolled his hips into hers, growling in her ear. “Is that a challenge?”

Chapter 22

VERA

Fire met steel in her veins as she lifted her chin, her core accepting the challenge even as her eyes and voice told him differently.

“When will you learn that threats and demands don’t work on me?”

He hummed, continuing to grind his hard length against her center, sending sparks of pleasure shooting down her spine. “When will you learn that I like you better when you’re angry?”

Placing both hands on his chest, she shoved, nostrils flaring when he didn’t so much as budge. Well, then. “You must not be feeling too confident about winning if you’re already tapping into your strength.”

Only flashing her a wicked grin, he dropped to the ground, sliding both hands up under her dress. She stiffened, darting her head side to side to make sure no one was around. “What are you doing—fuck.”

A sharp sting engulfed her hips and thighs, and then the sound of ripping filled the room. He’d fucking torn her underclothes clean in half, yanking them completely off her body.