“We should go back inside,” he says.
“No, I’m not ready yet.”
“Your lips are turning blue.”
“It’s just the moonlight.”
“So fucking stubborn.” He moves closer and wraps his arms around me. “I don’t have a coat to give you.”
I nestle into him, enjoying the warmth and the feel of his embrace. “This is better.”
We stand like that for a while, watching the snow fall on the desolate grounds below. I turn, so my chest presses against his. The moonlight makes him look softer. Younger, even. Like the world hasn’t chewed him up and spat him out. I wish he could be this relaxed all the time.
I reach up and rest my hand against the side of his face. My thumb brushes against his cheekbone, feeling his dark stubble.
He catches my wrist with his hand. “We can’t.”
“Why not?” It is cruel to both of us to keep my hand there, to wish for more, but I can’t stop myself. “When do we get to make a choice? Just once?”
His hand slides from my wrist, down my arm, to my neck. He tangles his fingers into my hair, then tilts my face toward his. “You are so fucking beautiful. If I were a better man, I’d walk away right now.”
“I don’t want you to be a better man.” Heat flares low in my belly, warming all of me. I’ve never felt like this about anyone. This man can ruin me, but I don’t care. I might want him to ruin me.
He removes his hand abruptly and takes a step back. He’s panting and closes his eyes. “You’re a princess. You deserve so much better.”
“Like Caiden?” I ask.
He opens his eyes. “See what I mean? You’re engaged, and here I am fantasizing about all the dirty things I want to do to you.”
I step closer to him. “Tell me.”
“Sabina.” My name is a warning.
I close the distance between us and press my palms to his chest. “Stop making excuses and kiss me.”
That was all he needed. He pulls me closer. My breasts press against his chest, the thin fabric of my nightgown doing little to act as a barrier. Then his lips crash into mine. The kiss is hungry and intense. The pressure is brutal, then becomes enticingly gentle. He slides a hand to the back of my head, his fingers tangling into my hair while he intensifies the kiss. Deeper, harder. It’s possessive and violent. Both of us fighting for dominance with our lips.
When he sweeps his tongue into my mouth, I moan, then match his movements. My fingers move down his chest, and I slide them under his tunic, feeling his bare skin and all those taut muscles.
I’ve never wanted someone more in my life.
An explosion sounds, and we pull apart, breathless. A fire erupts near the castle gates. Another explosion. More fire. Legionnaires flood into the garden, tearing paths through the white expanse of snow.
Neither of us speaks as we run through the room and down the hall. Anya is in the hallway outside my room, her eyes wide. She glances from me to Brevan, then back again. There’s only a hint of judgement in her expression. “What was that?”
“Must be rebels. Stay in your room,” he orders.
I nod, then shove Anya inside.
“Barricade the door!” Brevan yells.
Anya and I move quickly. We try to lift the sofa, but it’s too heavy, so we carry one of the chairs to the door instead. We shove the other one next to it, then we run to the window just as another explosion illuminates the garden. Hundreds of peoplerun toward the castle. Suddenly, another explosion shakes our room.
They must be inside, but more continue flooding the lawn, racing toward the castle. It’s a massive group in a coordinated attack. There was so much death last time, but I have a feeling that was just a practice run for tonight.
Thirty-Five
Thumps sound outside our door,and another explosion makes the walls shake. Anya backs away, eyes wide with fear. Her hands tremble and sweat beads at her brow. I hurry over to her, but I only make her retreat farther.
