Taroc snorted. “That's on them. Frankly, they sound too stupid to be Wraith Lords. Definitely too impulsive.”
I let out a shocked laugh, then said, “Harsh.”
“Is it?” Taroc asked. He picked up a strawberry and analyzed it, turning it this way and that. “They stole the fruit from their superior—a dishonorable act in itself. And when they ate it, they died.” He bit the end off the strawberry, chewed, swallowed, and said, “If they'd been worthy, the Goddess would have helped them.”
My mind reeled. Could it be true? “But . . . they took it too soon. The Goddess's blessing is only part of how a Wraith Lord survives. You train your body to be strong enough to endure the strain of the poison. And even if it was entirely up to her, it seems unlikely that she would reject an entire group of trainees.”
“Does it?” He set the strawberries aside and leaned forward onto his knees. “I was the only one to survive my unit. The group before us didn't make it. None of them. And none of those who died were thieves.”
“Holy fuck.” I gaped at him. “I didn't know so many failed.”
“You have to be special in many ways to become a Wraith Lord. You can be the finest warrior, but if you're not a fine man as well, the Goddess will deny you.”
“I know. I've heard that before. I just didn't know her standards were so high.”
“They are. If they weren't, new Lords would be arriving daily.” Taroc grinned before adding, “So, you have the best of the best to choose from, Ember. Elite warriors with pure souls. You are not the only one blessed by the Goddess.” His smile grew wistful. “I still remember her face.”
“Do you? I mean, so do I, but I saw her recently.”
“You don't forget her. Not ever.” He shook his head. “She's beyond beautiful. What beauty aspires to. But it wasn't merely her face that struck me. It was . . .”
“Her spirit,” I said. “The spirit that empowers us. The source of our Spirit Magic. Her spirit is glorious. And we have a piece of it now.”
“And that is glorious.” Taroc nodded. “When things get tough and the war seems endless, I remember her smile and my faith returns. The Goddess is with us, guiding us, and so I know that all will be well. Even if I don't survive to see the end of the war, I know that it will end. And I knowyouwill survive, Ember. You will see this through. That comforts me.”
I got up, went around the table, and strode over to Taroc in a bit of a daze. Sliding my hands back along the sides of his head, I bent and pressed my lips to his. It felt natural and perfect. Sublime even. Destined. As if I were doing exactly as I was supposed to at that moment—following my heart.
Taroc went still, breath held. His lips moved beneath mine hesitantly and his arms slid around me but just lay there, didn't clutch. When I leaned closer, he eased me down to straddle his lap. At last, his tongue slipped slowly between my lips. The taste of fresh strawberries burst in my mouth, and I groaned. Opened to him. Clutching Taroc closer, one arm around his shoulders and the other hand at the back of his skull, I found myself shocked by our kiss.
Kisses could be so different. There were wild kisses and tender ones. Slow kisses with deep delving and fast brushes of lips. Emotions changed kisses too. And technique, of course. I was learning all of that. Taroc's kiss started sweet—a strawberry-flavored seduction. But then it changed into a claiming. Too late, I realized that his stillness, that quiet watching, wasn't hesitation but the patient regard of a predator. A jungle cat waiting in the bushes, eyes locked on its target. As soon as he was assured of the kill, he struck.
Strong hands went to my ass and pulled me tighter against Taroc, bringing my erection to his stomach and his to the base of my ass—that tender spot between my entrance and balls. Moaning into his mouth, I ground us together. And that was a bliss that didn't have to change. We went on and on that way—grinding and kissing and clutching each other as if we were sustenance. It lasted for several minutes, maybe forever.
But everything must end.
Taroc eased back and licked his lips as he stared at me. A rumble came from deep inside his chest.
“You look so satisfied,” I whispered.
“Satisfied?” Taroc asked in surprise and rocked his hips to remind me of his erection. “I don't think I'll be satisfied for a long time.”
“Have a little more confidence in yourself,” I teased. Then I leaned forward and brushed my lips over his even as I pushed off his lap.
“Where are you going?” His hands trailed over me as I stepped away.
“To finish my lunch, of course.” I winked at him. “I need my strength.”
Taroc burst out laughing, then sprawled back against the glass wall to watch me eat, his legs wide open to display the bulge in his pants. Thank the Goddess, that bulge wasn't as big as Nex's. Not that I'd ever tell Taroc that. I had learned my lesson with Xae.
Chapter Nine
Taroc and I didn't end our date with a kiss. We just stepped out of the arrival chamber and went our separate ways. He did, however, cast me a hungry glance over his shoulder as he walked away. I was so distracted by watching him head upstairs that I didn't see Caleb come out of the dining hall.
“Ember?”
I flinched.
“Oh, I'm sorry!” Caleb hurried over to me. “I didn't mean to startle you.”
