Everything about him is unfairly beautiful. It isn’t just that he is handsome. It’s the contradiction of him: the softness in sleep set against the strength I have seen in him awake, the quiet stillness that somehow feels just as dangerous as his power.
I huff out a frustrated sigh. I’m not supposed to notice these things, or like them. And I am most certainly not supposed to feel… whatever this strange fluttering is in my chest.
Before I can stop myself, my fingers flex lightly against his skin. Thankfully, he doesn’t stir.
A soft rustle outside the tent cuts through my thoughts, and I freeze.
Lying perfectly still, I listen for what feels like forever, before finally deciding it must have simply been the wind. Just as I’m about to relax, however, I hear it again.
Cold slides down my spine. “Auren,” I whisper.
He wakes instantly, nostrils flaring. “Vivienne? What’s wrong? I can smell your fear.”
“I heard a noise.” I gesture to the tent flap. “It sounds like there’s something outside.”
He goes still as he listens. Silence stretches between us a moment before he pushes himself up to standing and speaks in a low voice. “I’ll go check.”
“Wait,” I hiss, but he’s already moving, reaching for his sword.
“It’s likely nothing,” he murmurs. “Stay here.”
Before I can protest, he slips outside and disappears into the darkness.
My heart slams against my ribs. The forest beyond the tent feels far more menacing without him here, my mind conjuring all sorts of terrifying creatures.
Trying to calm my nerves, I focus on listening for the sound of his voice or some indication that he’s nearby and well. Clenching my jaw, I tell myself my fears are foolish and entirely unfounded.
Auren is stronger than anything that could lurk outside. He has powerful magic and he’s more than capable of taking care of himself. But… he is also mortal.
The thought strikes like a blow. I care about Auren. And more than that, I don’t want him to get hurt. What if something dangerous is out there? What if he’s walking into a trap even now?
My chest tightens as I think of him in danger. I cannot just sit here and wait. Not when he might need my help. Quickly, I pull out a dagger from his supplies, gripping the handle firmly.
My heart hammers in my throat as I move toward the tent flap. I shove it open and collide directly into solid, warm muscle. Losing my balance, I start to stumble back, but Auren’s hands catch my shoulders, steadying me.
His gaze drops immediately to the knife in my hand. “What are you doing?”
“I—I was coming to help you, you idiot.” I snap, but the words don’t have any real heat because I’m just so thankful he’s alright.
As I study his handsome face, the truth I’ve been trying so hard to ignore rises to the surface. If anything happened to him, I would be devastated beyond measure.
I shouldn’t feel this much for him.But the thought of losing him… The dagger slips from my fingers, falling to the ground, and I stretch up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.
My heart clenches as his eyes search mine in confusion. “Vivienne?”
“You ridiculously insufferable, Elf,” my voice quavers as touch his face. “I was so worried,” I whisper as tears sting myeyes. “Thank the gods you’re alright,” I lean in and crush my mouth to his.
He goes still. His lips are warm beneath mine, yet firm, and unmoving as if he’s not sure what to do. I’m about to pull back, but he wraps his arms around my waist and presses his lips more firmly to my own.
He opens his mouth and then groans as I curl my tongue around his. I moan as he takes control of our kiss, tightening one arm around my waist as his other hand slides through my hair. He grips the silken strands and lightly tugs, angling my face to his as he deepens our kiss.
I’ve never kissed anyone before.Gods, I never knew it could feel like this.
Auren growls low in his throat and pulls me even closer as I trace my fingers over his pointed ears.
My tongue brushes across the tip of one fang, and it does something dangerous to me, knowing just how lethal my husband is and the strength of his restraint.
We’re so close I feel his heart beating in his chest against mine. He catches my lower lip with his, slow and deliberate, as if savoring the taste of our kiss.
