24
Strong arms encircled Liane, fitting her body against his as if it were made to. It felt nice. Safe. Warm. Erich’s breath fanned across the nape of her neck, tickling her, and she unconsciously squirmed, pressing her rear against his erection. Desire warmed her belly, spreading down and sending tingles racing over her limbs. Usually, once was enough, but it seemed their rushed, but impassioned coupling hadn’t assuaged her hunger. They did have all night; perhaps this time, they’d take it slow and explore one another’s bodies thoroughly.
As she rolled over to face Erich, morning light burned her bleary eyes, and she blinked at the tattered curtains hanging in the window. They’d slept together in this tiny bed all night? That was another first.
Then realization struck her like a bolt, and she sat upright. The Royal Guard, City Watch, and Midnight Guard were all likely searching for her right now. She tossed off the covers and jumped out of bed, startling Erich, who grasped for his dagger attached to his discarded belt on the floor. Weapon in hand, he stood next to her, eyes darting from door to window as if he expected someone to burst in any moment. But when he found nothing, he lowered his weapon to his side and stared at her with a slow blink of recognition.Liane giggled at his tousled hair, mussed clothes, and lack of pants. Then her eyes drank in his muscled thighs, brushed with dark coarse hair.
“Are you always this excitable in the morning?” she asked, gaze lingering below his belt. The damage was already done; she may as well enjoy herself before returning to the palace…
“Morning? We slept until morning...”
“Apparently. Shall we order breakfast first or skip to dessert?” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
“I’ve got to go,” he said, dashing her hopes as he tugged on his trousers.
It felt as if he’d dumped a bucket of icy water over her, extinguishing her ardor. “That’s good. I need to get back to the palace anyway,” Liane said, clearing her throat, but he didn’t seem to notice her as he threw open the door and stomped out into the hall, leaving her alone, again.
What a fool she’d been to think he’d be different. Once he’d gotten what he wanted, the caring, protective man she’d met dissipated, transforming him into yet another faceless lover. She should have maintained her rule.
No attachments. No regrets.
A cure had beenwithin Erich’s reach, and he’d let it go; for what? Recklessness wasn’t like him, and when he’d woken up surrounded by the rosewater scent of her skin, her body pressed against his, he’d wanted to stay. Even as he walked away, it lingered in his clothes, and the dragon rolled beneath his skin, demanding he return. Erich growled and ran a hand through his disheveled hair, which hung loosely, instead of its tight maintained knot. She’d done this to him, found a single loose thread in his resolve, and unraveled him. He shouldn’t have gotten entangled with her from the start. The dragon would destroy her. Its desire only turned to madness and its obsession her executioner. But last night, he’d let it take over and given into its impulse because he wanted her too. But it may have cost him everything.
Erich reached the top of Temple Street in record time and stopped to survey the stream of passersby. Guards were at the palace gates per usual, without a hint of discord. Had Fritz gone ahead with the plan without him and failed? Or had he fled the city with the prize in hand?
Foolish as it was, Erich stalked the perimeter of the palace, hoping beyond hope he’d find Fritz waiting in the shadows for him. But as the sun started to rise on the horizon, it became apparent he was gone, and Erich had indeed lost his chance. He’d gambled it all on the sword and lost. Mere days remained before the next full moon, hardly enough time to get away from civilization, hunker down, and wait out his transformation. Before that, he’d have to return to the ambassador’s townhouse, tail between his legs, and beg Ivar for supplies for the journey. Pathetic.
And then what?
He felt the yawning loneliness of his life stretch out before him. For a moment, he’d allowed himself to hope for a future free of the change, but it seemed he was doomed to forever wander this earth alone and hated.
“Back at last, I thought you’d never return,” Fritz said.
Erich turned, scanning the sunlit alleyway where he stood, and then Fritz stepped out from a sliver of shadow against the building.
“Did you get it?” Erich asked, a faint ember of hope rekindling inside him.
“You chose your path at the crossroads,” Fritz said cryptically.
Erich flinched at the jab. “You’re right to blame me. I let the dragon lead me when I shouldn’t have.”
“Last night would never have worked, the transport was disrupted by an uproar in the palace, and soldiers were swarming the streets. It was postponed until first light instead and was heavily guarded. But I managed to follow them, and I know exactly where the sword is being kept inside the temple and how to get it.”
The knot of guilt unraveled slightly, but not much. He couldn’t have foreseen such a complication, but with the transport completed, he had two choices: either enter the temple and risk being caught or walk away and give up on a cure.
“I’m in. What’s your plan?”
“Meet me at twilight at the temple steps; I’ll explain everything then.”
After giving Erich a head start,Liane headed back to the palace. It was better they didn’t see one another again; it would only lead to more awkwardness. And besides, now that she had the evidence she needed, the fake courtship wasn’t necessary. When she reached the gates, she greeted the guards on duty: a man and woman she did not recognize.
“Morning, I’m sure you’re surprised to see me here. It’s a long story,” Liane said casually and attempted to slip past them.
The guards thrust out spears, blocking her path.
“No one is to enter the palace, today,” the woman said crisply.
Liane blinked at them. In all her years of sneaking in and out of the palace, she’d never had trouble sneaking back in. The gate guards knew her by now and typically let her pass with an indulgent shake of their heads.
