Later, when she was alone, without the distraction of Thalion before her, Cyn would look back and be embarrassed by the way she was grasping him, attempting to pull him closer, though there was no way to slip even a shadow between them in that moment. She would wonder at her ability to push reality aside and allow herself the pleasure of his touch. Cyn was not her own to give to him, at least that’s how she saw herself. She belonged to her race as a warrior and her duty was to the fae, first and foremost. Their protection, and the protection of those weaker than her, had been her guiding principle throughout her entire life. Having a relationship, a lover, a mate, had never been a part of her future.
Just when she was sure she would pass out from lack of oxygen, he pulled his lips from hers. Thalion made no move to back away any further as he pressed his forehead to hers. Their chests rose and fell in rapid succession as they attempted to gather themselves from the storm in which they had just willingly danced.
“I knew it would be good.” He panted out. “But damn, female. That was as close to perfect as it comes.”
She closed her eyes, unable to look at him and not imagine kissing him again and again. He was not meant for her. “Your answer?” She said, sounding more breathless than she liked.
She expected him to be upset that she didn’t acknowledge what had just happened, but he surprised her by chuckling.
“If I were a lesser man you might have bruised my ego.” He pressed another lingering kiss to her forehead and then stepped back. “If you will stay with me, let me make you mine, then I will offer my warriors for any aid the fae realm requires.”
The passion in her eyes was replaced by fury. “You would put your personal relationship above the safety of your realm? Aboveourrealm?”
Cyn was boiling inside, and this time it wasn’t because of his lips. How could he be so selfish? Didn’t he understand that the strong among them had a responsibility to protect those weaker? How could she have such powerful feelings for a man that wouldn’t sacrifice for the greater good?
“Don’t look at me as though I’m a monster,” he responded. “I am responsible for an entire kingdom, an entire race. I cannot make decisions based on emotions. I have to make them based off what is best for my people. That doesn’t make me a bad person,” he defended.
“But that is exactly what you are doing,” she retorted. “You are basing your decisions on your emotions about me.”
“That should tell you just how serious about you I am,” he replied.
She stared at him, considering his words. “I should not judge you,” she admitted. “I do not know what it’s like to be solely responsible for an entire race. I am a warrior, not a politician.”
“So what isyouranswer, Cyn?”
“What if I cannot stay here?” she pleaded.
“Then my answer, my beautiful love, is no. I will not risk my people for the safety of the fae.”
“You are making the wrong decision.” She growled, inwardly cursing his bullheadedness.
He stared back at her, and she had to admit that she respected his confidence and unwavering commitment to his people. That didn’t mean she agreed with him.
“I need to take my leave.” Those were the words that left her mouth, but what she was screaming on the inside was, ‘Kiss me again and don’t let me run.’ But since he couldn’t read her mind, he only answered the spoken words.
“I will see you again.” It wasn’t a question. With one last look he bowed his head and laid a hand across his chest, just over his heart. “Until we meet again.”
Cyn took that as her permission to flash. She reappeared, standing next to a fuming Adam.
“Are you okay?” he asked her, looking her up and down for injuries, which made her want to laugh.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t be?” she asked him.
“I don’t know.” Adam huffed. “I’ve never dealt with the elves. Who knows what kind of customs they have.”
“I’m fine. We need to leave before he changes his mind.” Cyn felt her face flush as she thought about why he might decide to change his mind. That kiss was enough to even give her pause.
Adam, being way too astute for her liking, narrowed his eyes at her. “Did something happen?”
“He said no. We need to inform Perizada.”
“Did he say anything else? You were in there an awful long time for him just to say no,” Adam challenged.
Cyn wasn’t about to admit to her comrade that the elf prince had just held her captive by his kiss. Nope. That was not happening. “He said nothing of consequence, other than his decline to offer his warriors.”
Adam snorted a disbelieving laugh at her. “Is that why your lips are deep red and swollen as if they were nearly sucked off your face?”
She had absolutely nothing to say to that. At least not anything that wouldn’t dig her grave any deeper.
