“Your reputation does you a disservice,” she said honestly. “Whoever wrote those stories didn’t know you at all.”
He was quiet for a moment. “You’re the first person that’s ever said that.”
She kissed him in answer – it was slower, sweeter this time. They sank down together into the hay, and she lay on his chest, counting his heartbeats. A contented sigh escaped her, and he kissed her temple in answer. The barn creaked in the wind, the scent of hay thick in the air. Outside, crickets chirped as night fell. Inside, everything went still. Comfortable.
Sebastian’s voice broke the quiet, so low she almost didn’t hear him. “You know... I think I loved you right from the start.”
Kara’s heart leapt as she propped herself up on her elbow to look at him. “The start?”
He nodded, smiling. “Far sooner than I should have. Trust me, it was embarrassing.”
Warmth spread through her whole body. “The Fire Trial,” she said. “That’s when I knew I was in trouble. When you saved me, let me heal you.” She kissed his palm where the burn had been. “You never left after that.”
He tightened his arm around her. “Should’ve guessed diving into flames might give me away.” He smirked. “Not my most subtle moment.”
She laughed and kissed his chest softly.
“When you caught up to me on the mountaintop,” he said. “I thought I was going mad.”
She looked up at him, confused.
“I’d been thinking about you,” he explained. “Even whilst stealing the Shards.” He shook his head. “I’d been trying not to. Then suddenly you were there, like I’d summoned you from my own damn thoughts.”
“It must have been awful when I put you under,” she said, guilt and shame flaring.
Sebastian snorted. “Well... it’s not how I’d imagined being rejected, no.”
She let out a startled breath, burying her face against his shoulder. “Gods, Sebastian.”
He grinned into her hair. “What? I’m just saying – next time you want to tell me you’re not interested, maybe don’t knock me unconscious.”
She laughed again, bright and unrestrained, swatting his chest lightly. “You’re impossible.”
Sebastian leaned back, studying her face, mischief tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So that’s the real reason you let me go – my rugged good looks?”
She raised a brow at him, lips twitching. “Amongst other things.”
Before he could reply, she leaned in and kissed him. He didn’t hesitate; his hands found her waist and tugged her towards him. She clung to him in return, fingers tracing the muscles in his arms, his shoulders. Their magic danced around them – familiar now –normal.
“Kara,” he murmured against her lips, voice breaking on her name.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered back, and kissed him – deeper this time – until they were both dazed and breathless. Until there was nothing but the taste of his lips on hers. She forgot about everything – the danger, the soldiers, the Shards – there was only him.
They didn’t go further than kissing – didn’t need to. Neither pushed for more. Even that left Kara trembling, flushed, and reeling when they finally broke apart. And when Sebastian held her after, she’d never felt more content. Sleep tried to pull her under, but she fought it.
Sebastian noticed. “You should sleep.”
“I’m scared I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”
“I won’t be. I’m not going anywhere.”
She turned her head, looked up at him. “Promise?”
He met her gaze. “I promise.”
She nodded, finally letting her eyes close.
And Sebastian?
