Assassin Queen by Chandra Ryan Page A

time she came down on him. He was so hard and she felt so good that he had a difficult time holding back. Still, he refused to surrender to the delicious sensations until after she did. If he did, she would never let him live it down.
    As soon as her body started shaking and she called out his name, however, he grabbed her hips again and pumped into her forcefully. His climax was so intense his soul was suspended in the pleasure. It coursed through his veins and filled his lungs with each breath until it saturated every atom in his body. He was vibrating with it.
    “You are an amazing man.”
    The confession was spoken so softly he wondered if she had actually said the words or if he imagined them.
    “And you are the most dangerous woman I’ve ever met.”
    More so because he loved her. He froze as the truth hit him like a jousting lance. For so long he had thought he only desired her. But he should have seen the truth long ago. He wanted more than her body. He wanted everything.
    Panic descended on him in full force. She had told him that she, too, had wanted everything from him, but he had no idea what that meant for her. His stomach cramped, and his palms sweat as he got out of the bed.
    “Where are you going?”
    She still glowed with contentment, but her words sounded a little guarded.
    He pulled his pants up and fastened them around his waist. “I need to get a servant’s gown from the innkeeper. Then we shall get your kingdom back.”
    He slipped his tunic over his head and left the room behind him. What was he to do now? She had sworn off love and commitment, but her anger at Naresh’s betrayal would surely fade with time. She would see the advantages of having a king ruling at her side. Eventually, she would want an heir or two, if for no other reason than to keep her brother’s offspring off the throne. And Kirin was definitely not king material. When that day came, she would cast him aside. If he lasted even that long.
    Acknowledging the truth of his situation left him numb, but it also filled him with a quiet resolve. He couldn’t walk away from her. He would sooner tear out his own heart. If she wanted him for a day or for an eternity, it made no difference. He would stay for as long as she desired him. When it was over, he would leave. But at least he would have his memories to take with him. He would just have to make sure they were the best memories he had ever made.
    It took a matter of minutes to procure the servant’s gown and return to her room.
    “Here.” He tossed the simple gown and petticoats at her. “Remember to wrap your hair, and meet me in the other room when you’re ready.”
    It was all he trusted himself to say. He feared if he stuck around too long he would end up professing his undying love. That was something he couldn’t allow himself to do.
    “How did you come by a gown so easily? You weren’t even gone an hour.”
    He laughed. “I’ve never had a problem getting a girl to part with her petticoats.”
    He needed to keep this light. Everything had to stay as it always had been between them.
    “And you accuse me of using my words as weapons.” She picked up the clothing and held it up to her body.
    Just the sight of her naked made him feel weak inside.
    “You may go.”
    He took a deep breath and backed through the door again. He gave himself a moment to collect his wits and then walked to the room next door. As soon as he had gathered the rest of the group and filled them in on their roles, Lilly joined them in the room. Even dressed as a servant she was a sight to behold.
    “Let’s go kill a king.” She winked at him before throwing her riding cloak over her shoulders.
    They left in staggered groups as to not arouse suspicion. Lilly was first. Her role would take the longest to complete. After he gave her ten minutes, Kirin left to find the prince. The rest of the men were set to leave in small groups after him.
    As soon as he entered the keep’s wall, he made his