Malrik works her through it, murmuring things I can’t quite hear against her throat. I hold her steady, pressing kisses to her shoulder, her neck, anywhere I can reach. The Eds have clustered at the far edge of the pool now—definitely watching, definitely judging, definitely getting an eyeful they’ll never unsee.
I should care about that. I really don’t.
When Kaia finally comes down, she’s trembling. Limp against me. Breathing like she’s run a marathon.
“Holy shit,” she whispers.
“Good holy shit or—”
“Finn.” She turns her head to look at me. Her eyes are glassy, soft, completely wrecked. “Shut up and let me enjoy it.”
“Shutting up. Enjoying. These are things I can do.”
She laughs weakly. “You’re incapable of shutting up.”
“Valid point.”
Malrik withdraws his hand slowly—I watch Kaia’s face flicker with the loss—and brings his fingers to his mouth. Holds my gaze as he tastes her.
Fuck.
“You’re going to kill me,” I say again. “Confirmed. Cause of death: whatever the fuck that was.”
“Worth it?” he asks.
“Ask me after I recover the ability to think.”
Kaia twists in my arms until she’s facing me. Her wet hair falls around her shoulders. Her eyes are determined now, focused in a way that makes my stomach flip.
“Your turn,” she says.
“My—what?”
“You watched me.” She presses closer, and I feel the soft weight of her against my chest. “Now I want you.”
The words hit my brain and promptly shatter it.
“I—” My voice comes out strangled. “That’s—yes. Obviously yes. Enthusiastic yes. All the yeses.”
Malrik’s hand settles on my shoulder. Steadying. “There’s a ledge,” he says. “Behind you. Easier.”
I turn my head and see it—a natural shelf of stone at the pool’s edge, covered in soft moss that looks almost deliberately placed. Like Japti knew what we’d need before we did.
Ancient sex cavern. Cool. Normal. Definitely not weird at all.
“Come on.” Malrik guides us both toward it, his movements unhurried but certain. The water grows shallower as we go, the warmth of it giving way to cooler air against my skin.
Kaia reaches the ledge first. She hoists herself up, sitting on the mossy stone, and for a moment I just… stare.
Water streams down her body. Her skin glows in the soft light of the motes. Her legs dangle in the pool, parted just enough that I can see—
Gods.
“Finn.” Malrik’s voice is low. Amused. “You’re staring.”
“I’m appreciating. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?”
