"Take it all."
Arden’s smile falters. Wild curls cling to her shoulders as she shakes her head.
"I can't. It's not born of me. Too much would burn me alive." Her fingers press into my chest before pulling back. "This is more than enough. Thank you."
With my hand still on hers, Arden rises to her feet. I quickly scramble up after her, locking our fingers together. Her head tips back. Hard nipples bead through the front of her silk dress.
Gods spare me, it is a temptation no man can resist.
"I made a vow at our first camp. To keep my hands off you, no matter how badly I've wanted you."
"Finn—"
"Despite my best attempts, Queenie, I've never been good at fulfilling promises. Only made one that's ever mattered to me enough to see through." I bring her hand to my lips and kiss the back of it, delighting in her sharp gasp. "The one I made to you. I will keep my word."
Arden nods, eyes glassy and transfixed on where my lips tasted her. She is sweeter than any of the fairy food I've consumed.
"Because of your wish," she breathes. "You must earn it."
My nod is sharp, even though the wish is the last thing on my mind.
"What about tonight?"
My question comes out in a rush.
"Tonight?" she asks.
My fingers ghost over her cheek, savoring her soft skin. Warmth kisses my fingertips as I trace each freckle.
"Truth be told, I'm probably going to die tomorrow in some horrible way."
Arden gasps, pressing her hand to my chest. Her body falls into mine as if she can physically prevent such an outcome. I smile down at her, grazing the sharp point of her ear.
"I'll die for you happily, Queenie. But when my soul is festering away in this godsforsaken land, I want to be at peace. Not dwelling on my one regret."
The Fairy Queen nods solemnly.
"Taking on this mission for me?"
My lips curl. Doesn’t she know I’d agree to it a thousand times if only to be with her like this?
"Dying without tasting you," I correct.
Arden gasps. Swaying on her feet, her hands curl further into my chest. Mine fall to her hips, feeling her soft curves hidden by the maddening scrap of silk.
"Finn, I?—"
"Lie to me and say you don't want it too. Tell me you haven't been wondering—needing it—from the moment we met."
She shivers, rubbing her thighs together. I nearly fall to my knees.
"I—I do want you," she confesses. "But, I can't. I've never been with a male, Finn. I?—"
I'm a greedy man, but not a thoughtless one.
As much as I want her, with danger hovering so close, it is not the time nor the place to fully have her. Not when I can't take her properly and ensure it's as good for her as I need it to be.
And I need her first time to be pleasurable enough so that she never forgets me no matter how many centuries pass.
