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

dismissive hand toward the damp floor, shivering at the distinct chill in the air. “I’m assuming you have private rooms I could use. And I’ll need food. Oh . . .” She glanced down to the plain, too-short robe. “And clothes. Silk.”
    Something dangerous lurked in the jade eyes. “Anything else, princess?”
    â€œNectar.” She used her most grating princess voice. She was a guest here, dammit, not a prisoner. It was time that Cyn fulfilled his duties as a host. “Preferably from my homeland.”
    A stark, dangerous silence followed her daring command. The sort of silence that came before the strike of lightning.
    Or a nuclear explosion.
    Instead there was a flurry of movement as Cyn reached out to grasp her by the waist and with one smooth movement had her tossed over his shoulder.
    Fallon gasped in shock. No man touched the royal princess. Not unless he wanted to be burned to a crisp by Sariel. And certainly they didn’t haul her around like she was a sack of potatoes.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she finally managed to choke out.
    Leaving the cave, Cyn headed up a narrow set of stairs carved into the stone.
    â€œLet’s get one thing straight, princess. This is my lair,” he growled.
    She slammed her fist against his back only to wince in pain. Crap, the man felt as if he’d been chiseled from granite.
    â€œI wouldn’t be so quick to boast about this shabby—”
    Her furious insult came to an outraged halt as his large hand landed on her butt, giving the tender flesh a deliberate squeeze. Fallon’s breath tangled in her throat. She was livid. Of course she was. But more than that she was . . . oh dear God, was she aroused? Was the intimate touch of his hand turning her on?
    Or maybe being in this world was screwing with her hormones. Yes. That was a much better answer.
    Belatedly aware they were moving through a long hallway lined with heavy tapestries, she gave his back another punch.
    â€œPut me down, you barbarian.”
    â€œBerserker,” he snapped.
    â€œIs that supposed to be better?” she ground out, wiggling in an effort to dislodge his hand that was causing tiny sparks of pleasure to race through her body. “I told you to put me down.”
    Her wiggles were futile, but thankfully they’d reached a closed door and he was forced to release her butt to shove it open.
    â€œMy lair, my rules.”
    They entered what appeared to be a large room with a woven carpet in shades of silver and violet.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œIt means that I’m not your damned servant.” He crossed the floor, abruptly dropping her on a massive four-poster bed with a feather mattress. “So long as you’re beneath my roof you’ll treat me with respect.”
    â€œRespect is earned, not commanded.”
    â€œActually I just did.” He planted his fists on his hips, using his powers to ignite the logs that were neatly stacked in the stone fireplace. “And you’d better pay attention.”
    â€œOr?”
    â€œOr I’ll return you to the caves and you can rot down there for all I care.”
    Fallon glared into the forcefully handsome face, catching a glimpse of snowy white fangs. Sensibly she knew she should be afraid of him.
    He was a lethal predator who had her completely at his mercy.
    But she wasn’t afraid.
    She was angry and frustrated and terrifyingly aware of the hard, male body barely concealed beneath the thin robe.
    â€œI really dislike you,” she muttered, trying to tug the robe down her legs.
    â€œThe feeling is mutual.”
    â€œI . . .” Fallon forgot what she was going to say as she belatedly noticed her surroundings. “Oh.”
    Cyn was instantly wary. “Now what?”
    She forgot her urge to slap his arrogant face as she slowly scanned the pale ash furniture that filled the room.
    Beyond the canopied bed, there was a chest