THE LAST QUEEN

e unbent, his chin lifted high. He refus

udacity, barked, "Kneel b

ile. Two guards lunged forward, for

t he held back, his eyes fixed on Draven's. The fire of rebellion burned within th

**

t was not the simple stench of a forgotten garbage bin. No, it was heavier, suffocating wit

Prisoners pressed against the iron, their faces peering through the s

eyes shifting from one side to the other, catching

ching. One of the guards pulled the door open with a heavy creak while the other unlocked the shackles at Draven's ankles. Without

ence settled over

down, lowering his head. His shoulders shook, and soft

down from his shoulders to the ground, padding away toward the far corner. Only then did the

idn't let him s

and stepped c

tered, his voice hoarse and

g man said, his tone hard but edged with weariness. "

ying Draven's t

er by the people of Aethel and its king..

es blazing. "Get your hands of

dropping onto the stone bench. The black cat leapt lig

re if you had shown that

ween them fel

stone floor, face turned upwar

n." He brea

night

a quiet promise of ven

ASHV

eyes glowed in the dim light, framed by the fall of her dark hair. A sheer linen go

n the mirror's reflectio

her voice rich with allur

hands painting the words in the air as he move

eyes locking with her

nderly before stealing a kiss. A cold amusement color

rching hers. "And I refuse

st, then deepening as her eyes lingered on him. T

nd his cock, she teased him with a slow, deliberate touch as her lips claimed his aga

en. A figure froz

er head toward the intruder. It

thickene

said, her emeral

ckly, hands clasped in

Disappear. And do not let me see you again until

retreated, backing from t

on the closed door be

but Vashti silenced him wit

!" She e

essed together, urgency searing through them as their clothes fell to the floor. Ethan lifte

d the back of his neck while the other clutched his butt

from her by the slow, deliberate rhythm

ext Mo

neath a heavy royal coverlet embroidered with threads of crimson and gold. The sc

el as she spoke of Vanilor. "It will fall to us," she murmured. "But not by waiting. An unexpected strike will break th

ght, but before he could answer

e, his head bowed low and his hands press

d on him, sharp and unblinkin

silence, calm yet commanding

tightening his voice. "A letter, my

anged a glance, then