“You think too much,” she said, her voice was low and passionate.“You smell of chalk and dust and something spicy,” she nuzzled his throat.
“Probably the candied horseradish,” he said, holding still, breathing in the scent of her hair.
Nora laughed, her lips barely brushing his skin, then lifted her head to meet his gaze with her own.
To Riven’s relief, there was no dullness in her eyes, no sign that the Bond was asserting itself.He invoked his mage sense, and beneath the golden webbing, all he could see was…a lack of resistance.It confused him, just as her body pressed to his confused him.
Although confused was not the right word.Overwhelmed, perhaps.Intoxicated.
Aroused.
“Nora,” he begged, and he wasn’t sure what he begged for.
“You talk too much,” she whispered, and kissed him.
He expected an assault, but the kiss was soft and sweet.Her tongue flickered between his lips, dancing and teasing him.
He had some experience with this, at least with the act.A few whores, some willing barmaids.It had been just a physical release, to ease tensions in his body.He never let it distract him from his purpose.
With Nora?He was no longer sure where the floor was, much less anything else.She was in his arms, there was her skin, her hair and scent, her—
They were in the bedroom with the door closed before he could utter another protest.She turned her back to him, sweeping up her hair.“Unlace me?”she asked.
He reached for the ties with trembling hands, loosening the laces.Nora was swaying, humming as his fingers brushed her bare skin.There was every indication that she wanted him.
Riven stilled his hands and forced himself to remember.She was Bound to the will of the Bonded.“You are doing this because of her.Because she ordered you to.”
Nora looked back at him over her shoulder.“I already told you that I don’t find it objectionable, if that is what you are asking.”She shivered and her dress slid down, clattering as it hit the floor.Hidden daggers, most like.
He lost that thought at the sight of the scars on her back.
Before he could ask about them, Nora turned to face him, her eyes intent on his.“Do you think for one moment that you could force me into bed?”She stood there, muscular and fierce and ever so beautiful.
“No,” Riven whispered.
“Here I am,” she said.“Willing.Warm.”She drew closer.“Wet.”
“I—” Riven swallowed hard.
“You have too many clothes on.”She reached for his tunic, pulling it up and over his head.
“I—” Riven recovered as his head emerged from the garment.
Nora pushed him back so that he sprawled on the bed.She reached for his trous but he stilled her hands.
“Nora, if you don’t want to do this, we can just tell the Queen what she wants to hear, later.”Riven said.
“Your idea of pillow talk leaves much to be desired,” Nora grumbled.She gave up trying to remove his trous, instead sinking down to lie on top of him, her breasts flattening against his chest.She kissed him, slow and deep, and his mind fled to other parts of his body.
Her skin was velvet, the scars a lace of ridges on her flesh.He wanted to touch every inch, and she hummed as he explored.Her hands were not idle, exploring him as well.
“So soft,” her fingers trailed over his back and down his sides, not quite tickling.“I can’t feel your ribs anymore.”
A storm of emotion washed over him.Riven lifted his head to look at her.This wasn’t real, it couldn’t be, and yet there was a warmth in her eyes, and her touch.Still, he should stop this, refuse her, turn away.
Nora trailed her fingers down his stomach, then slid them under his trous to take him in her hand.
Riven arched up, gasping at the touch.He rolled her over, kissing her hard, pressing himself down into her hand and gave himself up to pure pleasure.
