When her nails bite into my hips, urging me to go even faster, I do, unleashing all of my strength and possessiveness at once. The sounds of our lovemaking echo through the attic, and within seconds, I feel her muscles tightening as her climax rears up and shutters through her.
I can’t take it anymore. Seeing her so lost in ecstasy has my own ending nearing.
I finish with my face resting in the hollow of her neck, inhaling the smell of her, like crisp morning rain and lilacs. We’re both quiet, struggling to catch our breath and calm the raging of our pulses.
After a long moment of just enjoying the feel of her body in my arms, I ease her feet to the ground and study her face. I’m afraid of what she might think of me now, but when she fixes her nightgown and covers herself fully again, her gaze lifts to me with a bemused smile. My heart begins to pound again.
I redress myself quickly. I should say something profound, something incredibly romantic, to tell her just how much she means to me, but when I open my mouth to speak, my nerves get the better of me.
Head tilting, she lets out a short laugh as I fumble with my words and actions.
Fighting my embarrassment, I walk over to the weapon trunk.
“What are you doing?” she asks, as I rummage through the many daggers, swords, and axes.
I pull out a short sword and examine the blade. It’s light in weight, and from what Lysander had told me, it’s easy to wield for a defensive attack.
I hold it out to her.
“Take this,” I say. Of course, it’s not the romantic poetry she may deserve from me, but it’s all I can manage at the moment. “It is short enough to be concealed under your skirts, but sharp enough to protect you during our escape.”
Haven’s brow wrinkles in confusion.
I push the handle more toward her and offer her a small smile. “Take it… for more protection.”
She hesitates, but takes it, a blush touching her cheeks. “Thank you, Avrum.”
Coming to her side, I wrap my hand around hers on the handle. “I was not lying when I said I needed you with me, Haven,” I whisper. “You see, I—”
Not needing more of an explanation, she leans forward, her lips brushing mine. “I need you too, Avrum.” Then she kisses me again, making an already perfect moment even more so.
Chapter 12
Haven
Feeling too stiff in the feather-cushioned seat, I try everything to focus on the circular room around me. The tables that were once occupied by Henri’s party guests are now empty and bare of all decorations. There is no band playing a sweet melody against the far wall, no dancing, no laughter. There is only Henri, who sits beside me at the long, head table, slicing through the roast on his plate and placing it on his tongue in silence.
I glance down at my own plate, seeing the untouched loaf of bread, roast, potatoes, and greens. A thick knot sits in the pit of my belly, the same one that had formed when Avrum told me about my father’s death.
Before I had come to dinner, I’d spent the passing hours in my room, lying face down on my bed and weeping silently into the quilt until my body shook. Even now, as I stare mindlessly at the place setting before me, I can feel my eyes begin to sting with tears.
I can’t cry. Not in front of Henri. It’ll only cause questions, ones I don’t want to answer.
Letting my gaze travel the length of the grand staircase, I search for something—anything—to distract myself. At the top of the landing, Keagan stands at attention with his hands behind his back and his spine straight. When he spots me watching, he peers down his hooked nose and smirks, exposing pointed teeth.
My skin crawls and I quickly avert my gaze to the only other way out of the ballroom. In front of the main doors, Avrum’s friend, Lysander, guards the exit, his hooded eyes looking straight ahead but seeing nothing at all. His features are hard and solid. Almost bored, and I can’t help but wonder where his loyalties truly lie. How could Avrum trust him so freely?
The thought of Avrum makes my cheeks flame. Every muscle in my body tenses as the memory of what we’d done in the attic room rushes back. His hands on me. His body thrusting into mine without remorse. The feeling of his hot breath on my neck… The thought alone is enough to send a spiral of warmth to my lower belly again.
I never thought being with a man could be like that. And, like every previous interaction, he was so careful with me, never wanting to scare me or hurt me. But this time I’d wanted more; I wanted him to know I wasn’t fragile, and when he finally gave me what I craved most… I’d come completely undone in his arms.
It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
When Henri’s eyes flicker my way, I hold my breath as much as my tight bodice will allow. I’m sure he can pick up the changes in my heartrate, so I try to settle myselfand grab my fork, hastily switching my attention to the potatoes on my plate. Only when he goes back to his own meal do I feel it’s safe to inhale again. If Henri finds out about what Avrum and I had done, my chances of escaping will be crushed.
I run my hands over the crimson-colored dress that had been chosen for me to wear. I’m too hot and itchy under its velvet fabric, but I just need get through this dinner, the next two nights, and the party, then me, Emma, and Avrum will be out of this place forever. Gone. Free.
Henri snatches my hand from my lap, and I gasp.
