“If you’re willing.”
“Of course I am. Those are the sweetest memories I have,” he murmured, pressing a firm kiss against her mouth to punctuate the sentiment. “The first time was on Meru, in Risen…”
Taavin spoke unhurriedly, and Vi hung on his every sensual word. Each turn of phrase delighted her. Phantom memories ignited within her as though her body remembered what her mind could not. She felt herself burning from the inside out with a fire she’d never known before.
A fire that felt like it could light the whole world.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Vi didn’t getany sleep that night. Come morning, her clothes were rumpled and her skin was flushed from the fire he’d set in her. For the first time, she felt as though she’d lived a hundred lives with him through his endless stories.
And it wasn’t enough.
It wouldn’t be enough until she could taste him like those other Vis had.
Vi stared at the window. She hadn’t shuttered it the night before, but the paper screens were slid closed. The morning’s first light was drawing a slow line across the floor and when it hit the bed, Vi knew her exhausting night would officially transition into an exhausting day.
“You never slept,” Taavin mumbled from behind her, kissing her neck tenderly. His fingers traced lazy circles around her stomach, pushing up her shirt farther with every pass. It was a game he seemed to be playing—how far he could undress her before he put her clothes back into place.
It was a line they hadn’t dared cross all night. If they hadn’t crossed it last night… they never would. Not as long as he remained a specter.
“I didn’t.”
“You should’ve.”
“If I slept, you would’ve disappeared.”
He sighed softly. Vi twisted in his arms and Taavin placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, mumbling, “You have to rest.”
“I will tonight, I promise.” Her body wouldn’t give her a choice. “I wanted to see one morning with you.”
“We don’t get such luxuries.” He smiled sadly.
“I will find a way for us to have them.”
“All right, my princess.” Taavin let out a chuckle that was part laughter, part scoff, and all disbelief.
“You don’t think I can?”
He hummed, a relaxed smirk draped on his face. She wanted to kiss it off. How dare he look so frustratingly handsome first thing in the morning.
“I will pull you into this world if for no other reason than to force you to have morning breath and bags under your eyes and bed head with me,” Vi threatened.
“I would give anything in the world for that. Anything to be a normal man, and for you to be a normal woman. But that is not our destiny.”
“I’m writing destiny now.” She wanted the statement to sound strong and full of conviction. But her voice was tiny and wavering. The more she thought about her task, the more impossible it seemed. Especially now with the sword out of reach. What had she been thinking, sending it away? “And I will find a way to bring you back into this world.”
His shining green eyes consumed her focus. Vi was only vaguely aware of his hand lightly running up and down her spine. Taavin took a deep breath and Vi readied herself to combat his obviously forthcoming objection. But instead he kissed her one last, long time.
“You should go,” he said.
“I should.”
“Do you need me to vanish to make it easier for you?”
Vi laughed lightly and pulled herself from his arms. Their parting hurt, like what she imagined a plant to feel when it was ripped from its roots. “I will summon you again.”
“Please do.”
