It was sweet. Hesitant. And delicious.
He could tell that she’d never had a real kiss before. Never known real passion. That she was afraid of her own emotions and of his reaction.
And that made him furious at the ones who’d hurt her. Even madder at the ones who should have protected her and failed. This was why he couldn’t afford to lose his throne. Why he had to keep fighting. Because of those like her who had no one else to stand for them.
They deserved better.
Her heroes had let her down. And here he was, a demon life had done its best to destroy, and he only wanted to keep her safe. It made no sense.
But then life seldom did.
Tanis fisted her hand in Dash’s soft hair. She still couldn’t believe she was doing this. She’d never in her life been so forward. Never even wanted to kiss someone.
But there had just been something inside him that reached out to her. That shadow of inner loathing that she understood more than she wanted to.
She just wanted to comfort him and let him know that while she wasn’t much, she was here.
Embarrassed, she pulled back from his lips. “Sorry. I slipped.”
He smiled down at her. “Feel free to slip and fall against my lips anytime you want.” Leaning down, he gave her another quick kiss before he stepped back.
Oddly enough, that warmed her more than his magick had.
As they started forward, up the narrow pass, Dash kept her by his side. Both to shield her from the harsh winds and to help her with the climb up the icy path to the castle.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to fly in?” she asked.
“We don’t know who’s there or how friendly they’ll be. I’d rather not draw attention until we see if we have allies.”
That made a lot of sense. “You’re right. There I go again, not thinking ahead.”
He tightened his hand on hers. “Don’t fret about it. What you said is correct. It would be a lot easier.”
“Again, you’re being kind, Lord Unicorn. Very charitable.”
“Then perhaps our flaws are not as bad as we both perceive them to be.”
Tanis liked that thought. Maybe he was right. Or maybe they didn’t judge each other as harshly as others did because of what they’d been through. Either way, it was nice to be around someone who didn’t snap at her for her shortcomings constantly. She wasn’t nearly as nervous or uncomfortable around him as she was other beings because of it.
Unfathomable, given who he was and his reputation for cruelty. But she didn’t know that side of him. She only saw a friend who watched out for her.
Another stiff wind blew past them. “Is it possible to freeze to death before we reach the castle?”
“It is... but...” He stopped and knocked on the side of the hill.
“What are you doing?”
Before he could answer, a huge, blue eye slid open to stare at them.
Tanis gasped.
“Who are you and why do you come?” The voice was loud and thunderous.
Dash winked at her. “A pilgrim to pay homage to King Ambrose. Tell him it’s the boy who sent him a pigeon rope.”
“Pigeon rope?” The eye squinted at him. “What kind of foolishness is that?”
“He’ll know.”
