A Clash of Skills

Kaida's muffled scream died in the heavy silk pillows. She kept her face buried for another second, pulling oxygen into her burning lungs. She thought she was alone in her frustration. She was wrong.

"Are you quite finished?"

The deep, smooth baritone sliced through the quiet tension of the bedchamber. Kaida snapped her head up. King Darius stood a few paces away. He folded his arms across his b