But despite her words, her head tilted, her body betraying her as she leaned into him, nuzzling against his cheek.
“No breakfast?” His lips hovered dangerously close to hers.
For fuck’s sake, Rynna. Get it together. He’s messing with you.
“You are upset, you snake.” She let out a soft laugh, pushing him back with a firm shove. “And maybe even a little hysterical, coming on that strong here and now.”
Kaelith grinned, unbothered. If anything, it only seemed to amuse him more.
“I may be a little riled up, but can you blame me?” His smile widened, even as he put on a mock pout. “You smell like sex and another man. And I’ve been so good this last week. Always watched. Always restrained.”
Rynna folded her arms as she arched an eyebrow, remembering the dreams he had sent her. “You think you’ve been on good behavior?”
“I’ve changed.” He took a step back, letting his eyes linger. “But not that much.”
“Hmmm.” She grabbed the shirt from his hands, slipping it over her shoulders, much to his obvious disappointment. “And thank the stars for that. Any more change, and I’d think you were a changeling. Or maybe an alien double.”
Kaelith let out a low, rumbling purr. “I love it when you say things that make no sense. Probably some strange reference from a different life.”
“Huh?” Rynna blinked.Oh yeah. This world doesn’t have those things, does it?
He moved closer and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her gently to him, resting his chin on her shoulder. “It shows you’re still you,” he spoke softly. “And willing to let me see her, even after everything I’ve done.”
Rynna exhaled slowly and wrapped her arms around him, her chin naturally finding its place on his shoulder, too. “Let’s just get through this war, okay?”
For a moment, he said nothing, and only the steady rhythm of his heart thrummed softly against her breast. “What if we win, live to see another day, and then you disappear again? Off on some new Mission?”
She didn’t have an answer for that.
“Will I have to become an even greater monster than I was? Threaten this entire world to get you back?”
“No.” Her grip tightened around him. “I’ll find a way to stay. I won’t do that to you again.”
She had no idea how she would keep that promise, but she would.I’ll be the monster before I let him suffer like that again.
“Of course.” Kaelith pulled away, stretching his arms. “Well, we should probably get going. I hear rat’s on the menu for breakfast.”
“Rat,” she repeated, blinking. Back to business, then.Thank goodness.
“Yesssss,” he hissed, rubbing his hands together with exaggerated delight, flashing a hint of fang. “One of my favorites.”
“Right...” Rynna opened her mouth, then closed it again, uncertain whether he was serious or not. “Well, I’m sure it’s...delicious. Let’s just hope they’re on a stick, at least.”
“Rynna! We may be in an army garrison, but the Hollow-born here are not savages! My gods, woman.”
Her mouth quirked up as she stepped out of the tent, the cool morning air grazing her skin.This is...nice.
“He’s close, but I can’t quite pin him down,” Calli muttered, her hands resting on her hips as she studied the map spread out before her.
“Can you at least give us a general area? We could send scouts,” Henry suggested, his eyes following the lines she traced on the map.
Calli raised her hand, pointing to a section west of their position, but before she could elaborate, Fenn cut in.
“It’s too dangerous to send scouts without more specific information.”
“I’ll go,” Arthur offered immediately, stepping forward. “We won’t last much longer sitting around. It’s worth the risk.”
“No.” Fenn’s hand landed on the young man’s shoulder. “I’ll go.”
