"I just—I need—" The words tangled in her throat.
His eyes opened, dark and focused despite having just woken. He studied her face with an intensity that made her want to look away. "Stay."
It was not a request. His arm remained wrapped around her waist, keeping her in place, and despite everything, she found she didn't actually want to pull away.
"Eliam, last night we—"
"I know what we did last night." His thumb traced small circles on her hip, the touch casual but possessive. "I was there."
Her face burned hotter. "Everyone saw."
"Yes."
"Everyone."
"I'm aware."A smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth though he seemed to be fighting it. "You didn't seem to mind at the time."
"I was drunk," she said, though even as the words left her mouth she knew they were a weak defense. She hadn’t beenthatinebriated."That drink was—it affects humans more than—"
"You were tipsy," he corrected, his hand sliding up her side. "Not unconscious, nor unaware. You knew exactly what you were doing when you begged us to—"
"Don't." She pressed her hand against his mouth, mortification threatening to consume her entirely. "Please don't say it out loud."
He kissed her palm, his eyes glinting with dark satisfaction. When she pulled her hand away, his smile was pure smugness. "I had no idea you were such an exhibitionist."
"I'm not—I didn't—that's not—" She couldn't form a complete sentence, her face so hot she thought she might combust.
"The way you moaned when I—"
"Eliam, I swear—"
"And when Arion's hands were—"
She clapped her hand over his mouth again, harder this time. "Stop talking. Right now."
His shoulders shook with silent laughter, and she realized with horror that he was enjoying this. Actually taking pleasure in her embarrassment.
Behind her, Arion shifted. His arm tightening around her hip, pulling her back against him, and she felt him wake properly. His hand splayed across her stomach, fingers spreading wide.
"Good morning," he said softly.
The simple word carried too much weight. Good morning after what they'd done and earning what they were. The day they'd have to face everyone else with this knowledge.
"We should go," she said. "The others will be wondering—"
"The others are probably still sleeping off their own celebrations," Eliam said, but he was already pulling away, the loss of his warmth making her shiver.
They dressed in awkward silence, Briar's body protesting every movement—she was definitely sore, muscles aching in ways that made her blush remembering why. The traditional Drak clothing from the night before felt wrong in daylight, far too revealing. Briar wrapped herself in her cloak despite the warm morning, trying to cover as much painted skin as possible.
"We need to talk about what Ferria revealed," Arion said, adjusting the leather straps across his chest. "About what we are."
"Later," Eliam said curtly. "After we've dealt with getting to the seal."
"We can't just ignore—"
"I said later."
The sharpness in Eliam's tone made Arion's jaw clench, but he didn't argue further. The tension between them was different now—not the competitive edge of before,but something heavier. The knowledge of what they were to each other had changed everything and nothing.
