She raised an eyebrow. “And you know this from all the time you’ve spent with me?”
“I don’t need to spend a century to learn all I need to know.”
Kira crossed her arms, her spine pressing against his arm. “Enlighten me, oh knowledgeable one.”
He took the touch as an invitation, brushing her cheek with his fingers.
“Your loyalty, once earned isn’t easily lost. It’s the bedrock of your foundation. I also know you wouldn’t have left your humans for so long if there wasn’t a damn good reason. You’re lonely, but you’ve given up on ever finding your place. Sorrow clings to you like a shroud, but you haven’t let it turn you bitter.”
His eyes roved over her face, searching, seeing. Kira held her breath as his words reached deep inside, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
“You need purpose or else you will eventually wither and die. I don’t know what drove you into exile, but you’ve begun to heal. When you do, you will be ready to take risks again,” he said.
Kira wanted to look away, but knew if she did, he’d take it as a sign he was right. There’d be no escaping him then.
“That’s a lot of guesswork,” she said, pulling back from his touch and turning to where the moonlight bathed the forest.
“I’m right,” he said, not an ounce of humbleness in his tone.
Kira kept quiet, her expression turning pensive as she stared out at the splendor around them.
“I forgot how beautiful nighttime is,” she said.
The moons were high overhead, full and round as they dominated the sky. They looked close enough to touch.
Kira made a small sound of interest as a small furry face peered out of the branches of a tree, green stripes glowing on its fur as it wound its way through the canopy, searching out blooms Kira realized were now unfolding.
“Moon’s glove,” Graydon said. “It only blooms at night. Theoorilis drawn to their scent.”
“They’re beautiful,” Kira said, turning her head slightly to find his face startling close, his breath mingling with hers.
Bathed in silver moonlight, with the harsh planes softened, Graydon seemed like some prince of the night, intimidating and forbidden.
For a split second, she was tempted to close the distance between them, touch her lips to his and see what happened. She saw the same need in his eyes as he waited with the patience of a hunter for her to make her decision.
She hesitated, on the brink of withdrawing, all the reasons why this wouldn't work beating at her. He was too demanding. Too autocratic. Her path lay elsewhere.
"Fuck it," Graydon murmured, closing the distance.
His lips touched hers, barely there as they brushed against hers in question. In answer, she rose to her toes, fitting herself against the hard length of him.
He made a guttural sound but remained still, not closing his arms around her. He was letting her take the lead.
That decided her, making her bold as she explored his mouth, the warm pressure sending tingles quaking through her.
It was sweet and gentle, until suddenly it wasn't. Desire engulfed them as they crashed together, fury and need rising.
There was a burst of sound, laughter from inside the suite as the door opened. It broke the spell they’d fallen under. Kira jerked back.
Graydon's eyes blazed at her as he struggled not to reach for her again. For a moment she thought he would, and she knew it would put them past the point of no return.
She waited, not knowing what she'd do if he did.
He shook himself, his face calming as his expression turned inscrutable.
"This was a mistake," she said. For so many reasons that she couldn't afford to name.
"One I fully intend to repeat again and again."
