Free Aflame (Apotheosis) by Krissy Daniels Page A

believe she was sharing a bed with this man. And felt safe. Certainly, she’d wake from this dream disgusted with herself. At least it was Zander, not Tyr invading her sleep time.
    “Thank you.”
    She yearned to say much more, but the words lulling around the tip of her tongue scuttled to the back of her throat to be swallowed.
    * * * *
    Grayce woke feeling warm and refreshed. For the first time, she surveyed her surroundings. The wall opposite the bed consisted of one big window that overlooked a plush green valley. The sun’s rays, weakened slightly by the sheer curtain, blanketed half the room. The four poster bed was made of pale wood. The bedding, plush, fluffy and perfumed with lavender, was hands down the most luxurious place she’d ever laid her head. An oval hand carved mirror hung above a matching set of dressers, also pale wood. The walls were void of any artwork and there were no personal items of any sort on display. Must have been a guest room.
    Zander’s arm lay heavy across her hips and his face nuzzled her neck. She needed to stretch but she enjoyed the warmth of his breath on her skin and didn’t want to disturb him. How was it possible she could come so far in a few days? She’s hated and feared men for so long. Now, she wanted this beautiful creature wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Was it the violent purging of her anger yesterday?
    Yesterday. Oh crap. It came crashing back to her like a giant wave of angry memories. What had she done? How had she—
    As if sensing her tension, Zander tightened his hold. “Are you okay?” His deep voice, thick with sleep and incredibly sexy, took her breath away.
    “I could have killed you.” Due to the massive arm hanging over her, it took much effort to turn and face him. She cupped his face with her hands and waited for his eyes to open. “Please just give it to me straight. Did I make that fire? Did I do that?” He nodded yes. “Was I able to do that because of you?”
    “No.” He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Because of us. It’s a part of you. It’s always been there.” His hand found its way to her heart. “You, are...” he paused, started to say something and paused again. “I tried to tell you before. We’re stronger together than we are apart. You have an incredible gift. It’s unusual for powers to manifest as quick as yours did. If you’re this strong now, I can’t fathom what you’ll be able to do after—” He stopped and squeezed his eyes shut. “Never mind. You shocked the hell out of Nikolas. I’ll bet he’s been in his lab all night trying to figure you out.” A playful, crooked grin spread across his face.
    Powerful? Grayce remembered something and smiled up at him.
    “What?” he asked, brushing his finger across her bottom lip.
    “I liked the way it felt...yesterday. I did feel powerful.” She loved having the ability to hurt him, or any man for that matter.
    “I’ve never lost control of my temper like that before. I mean, I’ve been angry for so long, but never out of control.” Worried she might say too much, she paused to collect her thoughts. It did feel good to talk to someone. She’d never had a confidant. For some reason, she wanted to tell this man everything. “I don’t think I could’ve stopped myself. I would’ve killed us all. I wanted to burn and burn and keep burning until the pain went away.”
    Zander chuckled.
    “What’s so fucking funny?”
    “I have what some might call an anger control issue myself. But yours, baby. It makes me look like a saint.” An angelic smile swept across his face. “And that foul mouth of yours. Shit. Makes me want to...” He shook the thought away. “You’re a little firecracker, you know that?”
    A question burned on Grayce’s lips. It took a few moments to build the courage to ask, afraid the answer might be exactly what she suspected. “How are you able to soothe and calm me just by making eye contact?” She picked at a loose