Lahat ng Kabanata ng Brothers of Ash and Fire: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Mikhail waited in the shadows of the mews outside Thorne Auction House, counting each heartbeat as he watched the lights in the windows being extinguished one by one. It reminded him of times long ago, with dark nights and firelight, eagerly waiting for any hint that Elizabeth wished to see him.I was such a fool then to wait for a queen's command. For one who knew so little of lovemaking, the Virgin Queen had known exactly how to master and manipulate men. But that was long ago, centuries away from this moment and the woman he wanted to see now.Piper Linwood. His true mate. The moment he'd kissed her, he'd caught flickering visions of a little girl chasing a fat white rabbit in a backyard before stopping to pick up some brightly colored eggs. The vision had changed to a young woman bent over a desk, staring at gems gleaming on a black velvet cloth, her focus intense as she studied them. A dragon knew his true mate by the bonding that began with a first kiss. Invisible threads wou

The car halted, making Piper pitch forward a little. She woke up and blinked. She was warm and cozy, and the last thing she wanted was to move."As much as I enjoy you cuddling against me, little dove, I need to get you inside where you can sleep in a real bed." Mikhail's voice was a husky whisper close to her ear. She glanced around and realized that she was practically on top of him. Her head was tucked beneath his chin, and he had one arm curled around her waist. Her legs were across his lap, and his other hand rested on her outer thigh."Oh!" She scrambled away from him, which only made him laugh. The rich, rumbling sound warmed her down to her toes, and she hated that. A kidnapper should not have that effect on her. But Mikhail did. This was definitely a bad case of Stockholm syndrome. There was no denying that."Why don't you come inside and warm up? I'll put a pot of tea on." Mikhail climbed out of the car. Piper watched him walk over to Belishaw by the SUV and speak to him. It

I would rather be adorned by beauty of character than jewels. Jewels are the gift of fortune, while character comes from within.Plautus"No! I wasn't going anywhere!" She gasped and dug her fingers into his arms, trying to make him release her."Why do I get the sense that you're lying?" He chuckled, but the sound was dangerous. "Does this mean I must keep watch over you, even while you sleep? Or shall I tie you to the bed?" He carried her back down the hall to his room and tossed her none too gently onto his massive bed."Stay," he ordered and went to lock the door, blocking her only way out."How dare you!" Piper snapped, even though her heart was racing again. She hadn't forgotten what he'd threatened to do to her in the SUVabout how he would punish a woman. She also hadn't forgotten that his dominance turned her on.I'm going to need major therapy after this.Mikhail opened a drawer from his dresser and turned to face her, a pair of silk neckties in his hand. He wound a b

Those who build walls are their own prisoners. Ursula K. Le GuinPiper woke slowly, in that hazy way one does on a winter weekend when one has snuggled deep into the blankets. Bright, clear sunlight bathed the room and bed in stark pale colors, washing everything out and making it feel surreal.She blinked and studied the bed hangings and the dying fire in the fireplace. Where was she? Bit by bit, memories of last night came back to her. She winced as she realized it hadn't been a wild and fantastical dream. She was really in Mikhail Barinov's house in Cornwall and had been forced into helping him steal the Cheapside treasure trove.It took her a few seconds longer to realize she was in a warm bed, but not the bed she'd gone to sleep in. She whipped her head up as soon as she recognized where she was: Mikhail's bedroom. How had she gotten here? Surely he hadn't She lifted the sheets and breathed a sigh of relief. She was still clothed. Nothing had happened last night, as far s

There were cliffs there,And forests made of mists. There were bridges spanning the void, and that great gray blind lake which hung above its distant bottomLike the sky on a rainy day above a landscape.Rainer Maria RilkeThe mist rolled through the coast of Cornwall like a silent wave, blanketing everything with dampness and chill. For the first time in a long while, Mikhail felt cold. A dragon's blood runs hot, even in the deepest of Russian winters. But today he felt a bone-numbing ache and cold. It seemed to cut deep, freezing the edges of his very soul.Belishaw's call had been a grim reminder of reality. He'd lived so long outside of the world that he'd lost track of the rules, forgotten about things like consequences. He'd involved Piper, and now her life was crumbling around her. He could see how much it might cost her, and it wounded him as much as it had terrified her. The last thing he ever wanted was to hurt his future mate.I never think things through. Not five h