Chapter Forty-Three

Claire The rough feel of Axel's hands slid over her skin, down beneath the top of her thighs, holstering her up onto his hips. Trapped right where she wanted to be forever. She'd fallen into the bliss of his mouth, his taste, everything that made them so perfect for each other filled her at once. Claire swam in the warmth of his scent—then it hit her. That wasn't his scent. Reality slapped her, knocking her off her dream wave, and she sat up. It took several seconds for her eyes to adjust from sleep, but she knew instantly that she wasn't in Axel's bed. Or any familiar room. The high vaulted ceiling was engraved with detailed crowns and swords in the marbled stone. Everything about the room screamed royalty—the four-post bed with a sheer canopy above her, the satin sheets, and the deep wood furniture. Even the window that led toward the balcony was beautiful stained glass. Claire remembered being taken once, and Axel saving her, but after that, everything was fuzzy. She ru