Page 197 of Of Masks and Fury

“You’re spoiling me,” he whispered.

“You deserve this and more.”

His hands found my waist, stroking small circles across my skin. Steam rose between us, making his golden eyes gleam in the low light.

“I’m afraid I’ll lose you,” he said quietly, his forehead dropping to rest against mine. “Every time you put yourself in danger and every time you break another ward or face another enemy, I feel the possibility of your absence like a blade against my throat.”

I cupped his face between my palms. “I will do everything I can not to leave you.”

His arms tightened around me, pulling me flush against him. We stayed like that for a long moment, breathing together, our hearts beating steady.

Finally, when the water began to cool, he quickly washed his hair and we finished bathing. We rose and dried each other with soft towels. Trew tugged one of his tunics out of his pack and slipped it over my head. The fabric fell to mid-thigh on me, still carrying his scent.

He gripped the collar and pulled me close for a quick kiss. “My tunics look much better on you than me.”

“And here I thought I looked best without anything at all.”

“That you do.” He kissed the tip of my nose.

He pulled on loose pants but left his chest bare. I quickly treated his wounds with healing herbs and wrapped them with fresh bandages. They stood out starkly against his tanned skin.

Pherin and Gavelle had left through the balcony doors at some point and were off hunting together. Their contentment hummed through our bonds, a distant warmth that said they were safe and happy.

I followed Trew out onto the balcony, where we stood at the railing and looked out over the night garden. The stars above were clearer here than anywhere in the wasteland, brilliant points of light in the endless dark.

He eased away from the rail, his arms opening in invitation. I stepped into them, and he lifted me, settling me in his lap as he sank into one of the cushioned chairs. My head fit perfectly under hischin, my ear pressed against his chest where I could hear his heartbeat.

His arms wrapped around me, his hands splayed possessively across my body, one across my ribs, the other resting on my thigh.

“Do you think we can actually do this?” I asked into the silence. “Stop them, seal the veil, and save everyone?”

“With you? Yes.” His voice rumbled through his chest and into my ear. “Without you, the world can burn.”

I shifted in his lap to face him, straddling his thighs and gently cupping his shoulders.

“That’s not healthy,” I said softly.

His mouth curved. “I never claimed to be healthy where you’re concerned, Minx.”

Before I could respond, he brought his hand up to cup the back of my neck, holding me in place.

He leaned in slowly, his breath warm against my lips for a heartbeat before he closed the distance. The kiss was soft, exploratory, and nothing like the fierce claiming we’d shared before. His mouth moved against mine with a tenderness that made my chest ache, as if he was pouring every fear and promise into this single moment.

I felt the apprehension in him, the careful control he was exerting despite the fury still simmering beneath his skin. His lips parted mine, and when his tongue swept in, it was slow and thorough, tasting rather than conquering.

I framed his face with my hands, feeling the scratch of stubble against my palms and the warmth of his skin. I kissed him back with equal care.

When we finally broke apart, his forehead dropped to rest on mine, his hands still cradling my head.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should’ve gotten you away from him sooner.”

I slid my fingers into his hair, feeling the silk of it between my fingers. “You couldn’t have known.”

“I should have.” The self-recrimination in his voice made me pull back enough to meet his eyes.

“Stop,” I said. “We’ll destroy him together. But right now, I need you here with me.”

He was quiet for a moment, his forehead still against mine, his breath slowing. Then something in his shoulders released, the rigid set of guilt softening beneath my hands.