I huff out a breath, dragging a hand down my face.
“She gave her whole life to theGoddessofNature,”Imutter, both to myself and myDrake.“I’mnot about to try and take that from her.”
Even ifIwanted to.Evenif it feels like it’s tearing something out of me to let her go.
My gaze drops back to the little priestess.Sheshifts slightly in her sleep, her cheek pressing more firmly against my thigh, her hand curling loosely in the fabric of my trousers like she’s holding on even now.
My chest aches with the sweet sight of her.ThoughI’vetried to explain,Iget the feeling myDrakestill doesn’t quite comprehend that when this is all over, she’ll be leaving us.
“Well, we’ve still got time,”Isay quietly.
And it’s true—we have a few days…a few more nights like this.Afew more chances to be near her—to know her.Tocommit her sweet face to memory before it’s wiped clean by theTimeWeavingspell.
I lean down slowly, careful not to wake her, and press a soft kiss to her temple.Herskin is warm and soft and silky against my lips.
She stirs at the touch, her lashes fluttering faintly, and then she murmurs something under her breath.
I freeze.It’ssoft—barely there—butIhear it—my name.
“Theron…” she says softly in her sleep.
My heart stutters in my chest.
“It’s all right, little one,”Iwhisper, even though she can’t hear me.“I’mhere.”
For now, anyway.
Carefully,Iease her head off my thigh and onto the moss beside me.Sheshifts again, frowning faintly in her sleep like she doesn’t like the loss of contact.
I don’t like it either.
BeforeIcan second-guess myself,Ilie down behind her, fitting my body along the curve of hers.Ihesitate for just a second, then wrap an arm around her and pull her gently back against me.
She makes a small, contented sound and snuggles closer without waking, her back fitting against my chest like she was made to be there.
TheDrakehums low in approval.
“Ours,”he says with unshakeable certainty.
I close my eyes.
“Just for now,”Imurmur.“Justfor a little while.”
I hold my little priestess tighter, breathing in the soft, sweet scent of her hair, the warmth of her body seeping into mine as the last of the day’s tension slowly drains away.
And as sleep finally starts to pull me under, one thought lingers, stubborn and aching…
I wishInever had to let her go.
38
ELOWEN
I wake to the smell of roasting meat.
For a moment,Idon’t move—Ijust lie there with my eyes closed, breathing it in.It’srich and savory, laced with something green and sharp that makes my mouth water instantly.
My stomach growls—loudly and embarrassingly.
