His gaze sparked brightly, sinfully. There wasn’t a second of hesitation as his hand slipped further underneath her dress until he could trace the lace of her underwear.
A sigh escaped her before she could help herself. It was almost like a whimper. Her head fell back against the wall.
Humming in delight, his hand halted before he could reach that part of her where she needed him the most. Eyden’s head dipped as he took advantage of her exposed neck and planted a kiss there. His lips were pure fire, branding her skin. Lora remembered every touch, every sensation, and she wanted it all. Her hand drifted to his hair on instinct, clinging to him.
Tilting his head, his mouth moved to the shell of her ear. “I think you do now, but I’m going to makeespeciallysure, if you don’t mind,” he said, his voice low and utterly undeniable.
“Better be thorough, yes,” she heard herself whisper.
Before her thoughts could take over, Eyden pushed the fabric of her underwear aside. She could barely breathe at the anticipation, her core tightening. At the first touch, all thoughts evaporated. She couldn’t help the cry slipping from her lips as he circled that spot she’d fantasised about him touching again. His other hand moved to her breast, drawing a soft sigh from her as she clutched his shoulder. Her nipple strained against the material of her dress, hyper-sensitive to his touch even through the satin material.
She wished there was nothing between them. She wished they weren’t here, but somewhere else where there were no lies, no secrets to keep. Nothing holding them back,apart.
Eyden quickened his movements, driving her mad. She moaned as his finger finally entered her. She almost fell apart right then, the liquid fire in her core burning so intensely.
This was torture.
This was bliss.
This was herruin.
“Eyden…” Lora wasn’t sure what she was about to say when a loud noise froze them in place. Their eyes moved to the door. The handle was being pulled down, but the door was still blocked.
Eyden removed his hands from her and took a silent step back. Putting a finger to his lips, he met her terrified gaze.
Her breathing still came fast, but she was quiet. Whoever had tried to get in must have let go of the door handle. It didn’t move. Eyden and Lora stayed motionless, waiting for another sign, but nothing happened.
Slowly, she turned her head to look at him. Even though the fire still burned in his gaze, the spell was broken. Lora hastily straightened her dress.
“This was a mistake,” she said. She had lost her mind completely. Yesterday, she’d said goodbye, made herself tell him to go. What the hell happened?
Eyden’s eyes flashed with hurt, but his gaze hardened so fast she wasn’t sure what she’d been reading. “I’ll go then.” He stared at her as if waiting for her to disagree. Or agree. Which one was it?
“You should,” she said even as the familiar guilt came rushing back. She tried to build another wall of ice, but the feeling remained stubborn.
Eyden moved to the door, pushing the box to the side. Halting, he looked over his shoulder. “Nothing has changed. Whatever lies you want to cling to, it doesn’t change the plan. It’s not about me, or us,it’s abouteverything.” He didn’t wait for a reply as he carefully glanced out the door and then disappeared from her view.
Lora knew what he meant. Whatever had just happened, it didn’t matter compared to the bigger picture. She could use the little time she had left to make a difference here in Liraen. It was risky, but if she couldn’t save herself, if she was going to make Karwyn even stronger, she could at least help any other way she could. And she now knew there was no changing Eyden’s mind.
Eyden was right. This was about so much more than them.
But a whisper in her mind told her it wasn’tnotabout him either.
Chapter14
Rhay
Staring at the silver door in front of him, Rhay tried to gather the courage to knock. He had taken a detour on his way to his after-party. Taking a deep breath, he made sure to obscure his mind. No thoughts of Amira’sothernesscould escape him. He had to get her away from the palace as soon as possible, or the house of cards he’d built would crumble around him and Amira would pay the price. Once she was in Carnylen, Rhay could focus on the second part of his plan: sending Amira back to Allamyst permanently. That way, Karwyn would never find out her secret.
Karwyn must have sensed his presence behind the door as he swung it open.
“Rhay,” Karwyn inquired, “do you have good news concerning the training of my cousin?”
Rhay was taken aback by Karwyn’s eagerness to know more about Lora. He hadn’t been able to figure her out yet. She and Karwyn were involved in some sort of game Rhay couldn’t quitesee.
“She’s making progress, but it’s gonna take time. She’s had to repress her powers her whole life. She’s scared of her own strength,” Rhay explained, not seeing any reason to rush the process. Lora was a nice distraction. Training her kept his mind from turning to Amira. To hercursedpower. To the moment she’d pushed him away after he had kissed her.
Karwyn scoffed. “You have always known how to make people feel comfortable. Removing her fears should be fairly easy.”
