“One that cost thousands their lives. If I had been here, two dragons together could have—”
I pressed my finger to his lips. “Shhh. It does no good to think like that. If you were here, you’d likely be dead.”
“Sometimes,” he whispered so low I barely heard, “I wish it were so.”
Oh, Thorne. His admission threatened to crack the walls surrounding my heart. Before I could comment, his infernal mask of arrogance slid into place. Without warning, he grasped my waist, barking, “Stomach, but this time kick your legs.”
I allowed the abrupt change of subject, floating on my stomach. Thorne’s firm hands supported my middle while I kicked.
“And now add your arms,” he said, and I complied. It wasn’t too difficult, now that I’d put it all together. Legs, arms. Kick and paddle. Kick and paddle.
“Far enough, Serafina,” he called out.
“What’s that?” My toes reached for a floor that was no longer there. I barked a yelp of surprise, and my head dunked under.
Fates save me, how had I ended up in the deep end? “Thorne!” I shouted, flailing.
“Right here.” His wide shoulders appeared before me, and I slung my arms around his neck, coughing and spluttering.
I wiped my eyes, glaring at him. “Where were you? I could have drowned. Again!”
“But you didn’t.” From the steadiness of his frame against me, I determined he could touch the bottom while I could not.
“Why did you let me go so far?”
“Because you were swimming.”
I peered over his shoulder, noting the distance between me and the shallow end.
“I did it?”
“You did it.”
Flooded with joy, I beamed at my instructor. “I did it!” I wasunstoppable. A fierce water nymph, a force to be reckoned with, handmaiden to the goddess. And screw the Puritan haters. I had magic. Also, I could flarking swim.
Thorne smiled back, and once again, I was struck stupid by how attractive he was. Wet, dry, clothed, naked, or in his dragon form—he was never anything but devastating.
My hands slid over the dusting of iridescent scales that covered the tops of his broad shoulders, his skin hot and slick. Unable to resist, I leaned closer to breathe in his delightful smoky scent. Even submerged, he smelled of flames and fire.
Husky timbre in my voice, I said, “Thank you, Thorne.”
“You’re very welcome, Princess.”
The silken purr in his tone made my insides flutter. For once, the nickname didn’t sound like an insult.
This close, our breaths mingled—his warm and smoky, mine sharp with nerves. While the water was cool against my skin, everywhere we touched sizzled.
My gaze dropped to his lips. Lips that were often hard with mockery, now softened with something resembling pride.
Heat surged. My heart lunged before my brain could argue. I crashed forward—claiming his mouth with mine.
THORNE
Flarking hell. Who was seducing whom? I’d sought Serafina out, determined to dazzle her with my powers of persuasion, only to find myself under her spell.
From the moment I’d entered the bathing chamber and discovered her alone, my gut warned me to abandon this plan. To walk away. Not that I was one to ever do the sensible thing. The story I’d shared with her should have reminded me of the repercussions of my reckless choices.
It didn’t.
