‘I don’t want to go back.’ Never in her life had she wanted a man to kiss her more than in that moment. She was certain he would taste of sunrise. ‘I want to stay at the edge of the world with you.’ She remained perfectly still.
‘We need to go now, before I do something foolish.’
Her body felt hot and cold all at once. ‘I see you, defender. Do you see me?’
‘I can’t see anything but you.’
She wet her lips. ‘The clouds will eventually return, and this moment will disappear with the sun. Do you really want to walk away before it’s over?’
He dipped his head, so slowly she thought she would combust beneath his tender gaze. His lips hovered just out of reach, his breath on her lips.
‘Last chance,’ he whispered.
His words sent a shiver along her spine. Unable to wait any longer, she reached up and pulled his head down until his mouth met hers. So much sensation all at once. Warm breath, orange hues of light, and his sweet taste. Her mouth opened and her toes curled in her boots as she reached up and took hold of his face with both hands.
‘You’re freezing,’ he whispered into her open mouth.
‘Sorry’ was her only response, because she wanted his mouth on hers again.
Pulling back, he looked into her eyes as he lifted his undershirt a few inches and placed her icy hands on his warm stomach. She immediately began to tremble, partly from the warmth but mostly due to the intimacy of the gesture. She tentatively ran her fingers over his warm skin and firm muscle. His mouth found hers once more, and she was dizzy with sensation then.
She had been kissed before. Mostly eager dance partners knowing full well it was all they would get from her. But this was different. A foreign hunger travelled all the way down to her belly, making everything below the hips clench. She explored lower, running her fingers along his trouser line, and his breath quickened in response. Leaning in, she pressed her thudding heart to his.
Closer. She needed him closer.
‘We have to stop,’ he said.
She shook her head, dismissing the suggestion. ‘No. I don’t want to.’ She pulled him to her again.
His resolve dissipated, and he lifted her off the ground and onto his lap. Fingers trailed up her ribcage, caressing her skin through the cotton. Never had she resented fabric more than in that moment. Pulling up her nightdress, she guided his hand to her bare leg. A soft exhale came from her as she tipped her head back. He withdrew his hand and dropped his forehead to her collarbone, panting.
A throat clearing nearby had Astin leaping to his feet. Lyndal would have gone flying, but he caught her at the same time he drew his sword.
‘Shit,’ Astin said when he saw who it was.
Harlan stood ten feet away with his arms crossed, looking between them.
‘Commander Wright,’ Lyndal said, weirdly formal as she adjusted her cloak. Colour flooded her cheeks. ‘We were just kissing the sunrise.’
Harlan’s eyebrows rose.
‘Watching the sunrise,’ Lyndal corrected, her ears now on fire.
He nodded. ‘I see that. Well, I’m sorry to cut the viewing short, but Queen Fayre is looking for you. I wanted to find you both before my father did.’
Astin pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Appreciate that.’ He was unable to look Harlan in the eyes. ‘Let’s go.’ He gestured for Lyndal to walk ahead.
She pulled her cloak tighter around her and headed in the direction of the small door. There was no hand holding on the walk, only awkward silence as they stood waiting for it to open. Lyndal was first through, her chest heavy as she emerged into the royal borough on the other side. She looked up at the clouds now closing in. The sun was gone. The moment was gone.
Harlan said a few words she did not register before heading for the barracks.
‘I’m sorry,’ Astin said, appearing next to her.
He was sorry. Perhaps she was supposed to be sorry also.
‘Let’s get you inside,’ he said, walking ahead. ‘We need to beat the warden back to your rooms.’
She followed him. ‘Why did you apologise? I wanted it. I’m not sorry.’
