Kailin straightened her sweater, a blush creeping up her neck. "How did you know I was here?"
"When I didn't find you in our room, I went looking for you. I was worried."
"I was studying," Kailin said, gesturing vaguely toward the book that lay forgotten on the floor.
"I can see that," Shovia said. "Anatomy, was it?"
"Indeed." I lifted the book and handed it to Kailin. "Dragon anatomy."
Kailin took the book, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that rekindled the embers of our interrupted moment. "Goodnight, Alar," she said breathily.
My hand lifted of its own accord to brush a golden strand of hair behind her ear. "Goodnight, Kailin." Leaning down, I pressed a chaste kiss on her heated cheek. "Sweet dreams."
60
KAILIN
"Some doors protect not by keeping danger out but by keeping power in."
—Shaman Saphir Fatewever
"Wow, Kailin. I'm so proud of you," Shovia said the moment the door to our room closed behind us, her eyes alight with excitement as if finding me in a compromising position with Alar was the pinnacle of her day. "I'm so sorry for walking in on you, but better me than Cadet Voss, right?"
"It's okay. We got carried away with the kissing, and it was good that you came when you did."
If she'd stayed the night in Codric's room, we would be having a very different conversation the next day, and I might have trouble running up that torture hill because of a lack of sleep and sore intimate muscles.
"Kissing, she says." Shovia removed her leggings and tunic and started pulling on her pajamas. "That was some intense kissing to leave your hair looking like you'd been caught in a windstorm, and your sweater twisted halfway around."
I glanced down, realizing that it was still askew despite my attempt to straighten it. I needed to get into my pajamas anyway, so I pulled the sweater off and grabbed the shapeless brown top.
"So," Shovia said when I remained silent, "are you going to tell me all the juicy details, or do I have to guess? Because, as you know, my imagination is quite vivid, and I will probably go places you didn't."
I sighed, knowing she wouldn't let the subject drop until I gave her at least some details. "We were talking, and it just happened. One minute we were discussing dragons, the next we were kissing, and then I fell back on the couch and pulled Alar down with me."
"Oh, my!" Shovia fanned herself with her hand. "It sounds absolutely scandalous."
I laughed. "Right. Says the girl who'd marched into Codric and Alar's room, kicked Alar out, and had her wicked way with his cousin. I'd say that's much more scandalous."
"It is, I agree." Shovia pulled on her pajama bottoms, closed the light-blocking drapes, and got under the blanket. "But that's what you expect of me, so it's no shock to anyone. For you, on the other hand, that's some impressive progress."
"Not impressive enough," I murmured under my breath as I climbed into my bed and pulled the blanket up to my chin. "Canyou turn off the light? We have the hill from hell to climb first thing tomorrow."
"It's not that bad." She reached for the switch and flicked it off, plunging the room into complete darkness.
"Not for you, perhaps. But it is for me." I turned toward the wall. "Goodnight, Shovia."
"Goodnight, Kailin. Dream lots of sexy dreams."
I had a feeling that I would. My body was still humming with need, and I knew exactly what to do about it, but didn't dare with Shovia in the room. Perhaps after she fell asleep, I could take care of it, provided that I didn't fall asleep myself.
It had been an eventful day in every way imaginable, and it had ended on a high note.
The intensity of the encounter had surprised me. I'd always thought of myself as reserved, but there had been nothing controlled about the way I'd responded to Alar.
"Next time," Shovia suddenly said in the darkness, "let me know when you want me to stay the night with Codric so you can have the room to yourself."
"Are you two serious about each other?" I asked.
