I kissed him over and over, my lips hungry for more. My body was flush against his. My hips ground into him as I pinned him against the cabinets. I needed more of him.More.
“Eira,” he murmured against my mouth, the sound a prayer and a plea. I caught his lower lip between my teeth, and he let out a strangled groan.
I pulled away to gasp for breath, unable to see straight, tothinkstraight. All I knew was the blissful haze of losing myself in him, of the painful desire churning inside me.
I wanted him. I didn’t care that he was a killer. I didn’t care that he worked for Calista.
Every fiber of my beingachedfor this man.
“I thought I irritated you,” I said breathlessly. “Now, here you are, willing to sacrifice yourself for me.”
He gave a wry chuckle, his eyes dark and heady in a way that made my knees go weak.“No one has gotten under my skin like you have, princess.”
“Tormenting you is my absolute pleasure.”
“Not a torment at all.” His voice was low and husky in that perfect way that raised the hair on my arms. His hand lifted, and he trailed the tips of his fingers along my jawline. “In fact, you’ve dug your way into my heart, peeling back layers I didn’t know were there. You’ve stripped me bare, princess.”
His gaze burned with a heat that melted my insides. His fingertips left a trail of fire along my skin. “Have I, now? I’dlike to see what that looks like, hunter.” My eyes flicked over his body from top to bottom, and my legs felt wobbly just imagining him without clothes. I hadn’t gotten a good look at him when he’d undressed during the blizzard, but I could envision it now. That toned, muscular chest. Those powerful legs tangled up with mine. “I have a feeling I’ll like what I see.”
Desire sparked in his eyes, and he leaned closer, that wintry scent enveloping me. Blood and ice, I wanted tobathein that scent.
“Snow,” barked a voice.
I jolted and stepped backward, my face burning as I found a scowling Denton standing in the hall, a bag slung over his shoulder. His face darkened with fury as he glanced between me and Theron.
Shit.
“We’re ready.” Denton’s voice was stiff. Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode toward the door.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling foolish and disappointed all at once. What had I done? Had I really justkissedthe assassin?
And… had he kissed me back?
We had kissed in the alley before, but that had just been for show to avoid getting caught by the soldiers.
Here and now—this felt real.Wasit real?
No, that wasn’t important. Whatwasimportant was getting into the palace. This dangerous game the hunter and I played—it wouldn’t end well for either of us.
“Eira,” Theron said softly.
I couldn’t look him in the eye, but I also knew I couldn’t let him go through with his plan. I clutched his wrist. “Pleasedon’t get yourself killed, Theron. There’s another way; I’m sure of it.”
He said nothing, but I heard his breath hitch and felt his hot stare burning into me.
Before his hungry look unraveled me completely, I stepped away and strode to the front door, trying—and failing—to focus on the task at hand.
Theron scouted aheadto ensure the road was free of soldiers before we set off. Not wanting to draw too much attention to us, Mauro, Frisk, and Kendra took a different route to rendezvous with the rebel soldiers. Denton, Theron, Stella, and I made our way toward the palace. We planned to weave through alleys when we got to the town square, just as Theron and I had done earlier. I was tempted to use my invisibility, but the other three would still be visible either way. Besides, I’d recently eaten a sparkwood apple. The apples had a tendency to stifle my invisibility, since they repelled fae magic. I could still use it, but it wasn’t as effective.
I glanced at the small patch of green spots on my arm, an aching dread eating away at my stomach. It was probably better to keep eating the apples. Even if it hindered my fae magic, my invisibility was no good to me if I was dead.
With a sigh, I dug through my pack to ensure I still had a few more apples left. My fingers brushed over the bundle of fabric that held the mirror.
Or…usedto hold the mirror. It was significantly lighter. Then, I remembered Theron still had it.
Somehow, the thought didn’t bother me. In fact, part of me felt it was safer with him than with me.
He and Stella were walking a few paces ahead of me. I stared at the back of his head, wondering how we had gotten here—to the point where I trusted him.
