The bond feels stronger than ever, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe, just for tonight, I should give in to him. Not fully—Istill feel it’s too early to allow Gideon to claim me—but perhaps we can explore one another’s bodies a little and share a bedroll.
At last, we pull apart. I’m panting breathlessly, and I notice he’s not unaffected by our kiss either. He stares at me hungrily, and I swear I feel his shaft throbbing against my stomach through the layers of our clothing. My face heats and the pulses between my thighs come faster.
“Yes, little moth, we can certainly explore one another’s bodies tonight.” His sudden wicked smile reveals that he feels no shame for having sensed my thoughts. “And of course we can sleep beneath the furs together. I look forward to holding you close all through the night.”
Oh, gods.
My heart beats faster.
Would it be so wrong to follow my desires just for one night? Maybe a few more kisses… and some touching. Maybe that’s all it will take to quiet my feverish longing, and then I’ll no longer burn so fiercely for Gideon. Going forward, it’ll be easier to push him away.
I sense his smirk in my mind, even though his expression hasn’t changed. He thinks it’s amusing that I might only need a few more kisses and caresses from him. He believes I need more, that I need everything, and he’s looking forward to proving it.
“But first, you need to eat, little moth,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “And we should both wash away the dust of the day. There’s a bathing area in the back of the cave. There are several alcoves with spigots that are spelled to produce warm, running water, and small tubs and basins for washing. Let me get dinner started, then I will show you.”
I nod quietly, and in anticipation of visiting the bathing alcoves he mentioned, I retrieve my rucksack from the floor.
Gideon kneels beside the fire and withdraws one of the large fish he caught earlier from his pack. A faint chill clings to it, andI realize he must’ve used his winter magic to keep it cold. With practiced ease, he quickly guts it before setting it over the flames on a flat stone. Then he adds a few chopped vegetables from one of the boxes that are pushed against the wall, food I suspect was also spelled not to spoil. The scent of roasting fish and savory vegetables soon fills the cave.
While our dinner cooks, he leads me toward the back of the cave where a narrow passage opens into a wider corridor that contains over a dozen small alcoves. As we walk, he lights more torches. He eventually leads me inside the largest bathing alcove, and I marvel at the sight. There are plenty of supplies for bathing, including clean washcloths, a variety of soaps and oils, towels, and tooth-cleaning brushes with mint paste. It’s larger and better stocked than the little washroom I was accustomed to using back in Braemar.
“The soldiers use this area to bathe when they shelter here.” His eyes meet mine, and warmth flickers in his dark depths. “I’ll give you some privacy.” He steps back into the corridor and pulls a curtain in front of the opening.
For a moment, I stand very still and listen as he enters the alcove next door. My face heats when I hear running water, and I imagine he’s getting undressed. I haven’t even seen him shirtless yet. Last night, he didn’t sleep. He stood guard at the entrance of the cave, keeping his leathers on.
Oh, but the prospect of seeing him unclothed, even partially, is enough to reignite the surges of heat in my core.
I draw in a shaky breath as I finally start undressing. To my surprise, the knives are still in my rucksack, my clothing wrapped around them. I’d assumed that perhaps Gideon had taken them back during one of our breaks today when I wandered into a quiet, dark area of the forest to take care of my human needs.
I select a thick, warm nightdress and woolen socks to don after my sponge bath. After setting the items aside, I repack my rucksack carefully, making sure the knives are well-wrapped in my clothing. Will I ever need them? I’m starting to doubt that I ever might, but I don’t want to relinquish them anytime soon. I’ll keep them for as long as Gideon allows, and I resolve that if he confiscates them, I’ll simply bide my time until I’m able to steal other weapons. The realm is a dangerous place, and I would be smart to arm myself, no matter the status of my bond with the highborn fae male.
After washing the dust and sweat from my skin and putting on the nightdress and woolen socks, I return to the fire feeling refreshed, only to find Gideon already waiting, freshly cleaned as well, his dark hair still damp and curling slightly near his horns.
Gods help me.
He’s not wearing a shirt. The firelight dances over the planes of his perfectly sculpted chest, making his dark skin glimmer like ussha-blessed vines. And rather than leather pants, he’s wearing soft trousers. My mouth goes dry, and for a few seconds, all I can do is stare. He’s so handsome, so powerful and virile, that I almost forget my reasons for wanting to push him away.
The rucksack slowly slides from my hand and thuds to the floor. I gulp past the dryness in my throat as he approaches. His eyes gleam with knowing, making me certain that he’s been reading my thoughts all this time.
A soft smile plays across his lips. He grasps my hand and quietly leads me to the fire. He’s placed a small table between two stools, and he’s already plated our food.
“It smells and looks delicious,” I say with a flush. “Thank you for cooking.”
He guides me into my seat, places his hands on my shoulders, and leans down to brush a kiss on my cheek. His lips are as cold as ever, but so very soft, and though it’s a quick kiss,it’s filled with promise. And sweetness. The back of my neck prickles even as warmth rushes through me, and the achiness between my thighs grows stronger.
Finally, he takes his seat across from me. His eyes are still filled with affection, but also something hotter and perhaps even a bit darker. I shiver with anticipation as I consider the evening to come.
“Eat your fill, little moth. I know how ravenous you are right now.”
CHAPTER 12
GIDEON
Gods,he’s so handsome.
I freeze in shock as I finally, at long last, hear Isabel’s voice in my head. She’s seated across the table from me, eating quietly, though her thoughts are becoming clearer to me by the moment. Not just her emotions and general ideas, but her exact word-for-word thoughts. I feel a surge of wonder at the abrupt strengthening of our bond as I eagerly listen in.
Was I a fool to kiss him? Oh, but it was a nice kiss. He’s quite skilled at it too. I wonder how many other women he’s kissed. Hmm.
