A noise escaped me, a cross between a sigh and a moan.
“Like that?” he murmured.
“Yes,” I gasped.
He slid a finger inside me, and I cried out.
“Careful, princess. Others will hear us.”
“I told you—I don’t care,” I breathed. And I didn’t. In this moment, nothing else existed except us. The logical side of me knew we needed to move, to get to the palace, to hurry before anyone saw us.
But my body wason fire. And every facet of my mind homed in on his fingers inside me.
Nothing else mattered.
He pressed me more fully against the tree, his fingers working and pulsing within me. I writhed against him, driving his hands deeper, riding his fingers as they curled inside me and brushed against my inner walls. Tension built in my body, rising higher and higher, bringing me closer to that edge. I closed my eyes as our bodies found a rhythm together. He pushed and stroked, one hand thrusting into me while the other continued to massage my breast.
He brought his mouth to mine again, capturing my feral sounds, his teeth dragging along my lower lip. A growl of pleasure rose up in his throat, and then, I fractured. Release sent waves of pleasure rolling off my body. I trembled as his fingers continued moving, continued exploring. My climax shuddered through me, leaving me limp and gasping in his arms.
He removed his hands, backing away from me, and I immediately yearned for his warmth.
And he knew it. The smirk on his face told me as much. He’d satisfied me while leaving me wanting more.
It was torture.
“Shivering bones, you’re such an ass,” I said, my voice slightly hoarse.
He laughed. My eyes dipped to the bulge in his trousers, and I lifted my eyebrows expectantly.
But he only gave me an amused look. “Let’s get a move on. Don’t you have a throne to take back?”
I shoved his arm. “I’ll get you for that.”
“Oh, I hope you do,” he murmured, his voice low and sultry.
Heat pooled in my core once more, but I forced my feet forward, adjusting my trousers and tunic as I tried to recover from how thoroughly he had unraveled me.
I didn’t care that he’d brought me over the edge, only to withdraw before he found his own release. I didn’t care if he bested me, winning this battle of wills between us.
He was laughing again. He was teasing me. Perhaps he hadn’t promised not to sacrifice himself. But this was a start, and that was enough for now.
A smile spread across my lips as I considered this a small victory. But my smile fell when my stomach suddenly started churning. A strange heat crept up my body, making my cheeks and neck feel flushed. My head spun. I stopped moving as the world around me tilted, threatening to bring me down.
“Eira?” Theron’s voice sounded so far away.
Shit. I swayed slightly, and then Theron was there, his hands on my waist, securing me in place.
“The poison?” he asked urgently.
Bile crept up my throat, and I feared if I spoke, I would vomit. So instead, I just nodded once.
Theron gently eased up my shirt sleeve and hissed out a low breath. Blinking through the dizziness, I followed his gaze.
The green spots had spread. They now covered almost my entire arm, ending at my wrist.
“Apples,” Theron muttered, grabbing my pack from me and digging through it. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on remaining upright.
A little longer. I just need a bit more time. Please, I can’t die yet. Not yet.
