Page 86 of On Broken Bonds

A soft sigh escapes me, and Fenric makes a quiet sound in response, one that seems to vibrate straight through me. The sensation leaves me strangely breathless, my skin warm and my thoughts pleasantly tangled.

When he finally pulls back, he's breathing hard.

So am I.

His forehead nearly touches mine as his eyes search my face, as though he's trying to determine whether that was real or something he imagined.

The look in them sends my heart into a very inconvenient rhythm.

“Sorry,” he says, then shakes his head. “I thought maybe we should celebrate with a kiss. You know. For surviving.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

“That was your idea of a celebration?”

His ears redden.

“Maybe.”

The sight is so unexpectedly adorable that it takes me a second to remember how to think.

I open my mouth to tell him that kiss was the perfect idea. That when his mouth touched mine, I realized I'd been wanting to kiss him for far longer than I should have. Maybe that much was obvious by the fact that he'd somehow found his way into my dream as well.

The thought makes heat creep into my cheeks.

Unfortunately, it also makes me realize that a celebratory kiss and actual interest are not necessarily the same thing.

Before I can decide whether saying any of that would be the worst idea in history, a low snort comes from beside us. Fenric and I both turn. Thorian is watching us. Or more specifically, watching me. His expression is impossible to read.

“Well,” he says dryly, “that's one way to celebrate.”

My face grows even hotter.

“Oh gods.”

Should I not have let Fenric kiss me after Thorian kissed me?

Thorian’s gaze slides to my lips. “Like hell he's the only one who gets a kiss for surviving that swamp.”

The words are barely out of his mouth before he reaches for me. I don't have time to react. Not properly. One heartbeat I'm looking up at him, trying to understand what that look in his eyes means, and the next his hand is sliding around my waist and pulling me toward him. The movement is firm enough to leave no room for misunderstanding.

His mouth finds mine, slanting over my mouth and stealing my breath. His kiss is thorough. Intense. Possessive in a way that leaves no room for arguments.

The kiss deepens immediately, his tongue sweeping into my mouth. A little moan slips from my lips, and the world tilts beneath me. My fingers find the front of his shirt, gripping the fabric as though it's the only thing keeping me upright.

Some distant part of me is aware that Fenric is still sitting beside us. Aware that Thorian knows he's there. Aware that this kiss feels suspiciously like a statement.

Thorian's hand tightens slightly at my waist. It’s not enough to hurt. Just enough to make me aware of exactly where I am. Exactly who is holding me.

My pulse pounds.

Every nerve in my body seems suddenly awake.

The exhaustion from the swamp. The ache in my muscles. The fear that has followed me since the Trials began. For a few precious moments, all of it disappears beneath the simple fact that Thorian is kissing me like he means it.

When he finally pulls back, it's only far enough for me to draw a shaky breath.

His eyes meet mine. Dark. Intent. Entirely too focused.