I don’t ask for specifics on what it was like when the Temple murdered her. There’s no need. I’ve seen enough death in my time to picture it clearly.
“That’s why I have to go back,” he says, looking up at me with a steely shine in his eyes. “No one gives a shit about Hallowbane. But that’s my people in there.Goodpeople. Those bastards in red could be ripping the place apart piece by piece, person by person. I need to protect them. It’s myjobto protect them.”
I see it now, the unbreakable loyalty that runs through him and the hatred of the Temple that burns alongside it. For all our differences, I’m coming to realize we’re actually quite a lot alike where it counts.
“We’re stuck waiting for a reply from our bearer friend now, anyway,” I murmur. “We might as well check on your people in Hallowbane in the meantime.”
I don’t think I imagine the shadows darkening around us a fraction more. When he meets my eyes, his gaze is nearly as dark.
“Thank you,” he says. “Although I confess I had some rather intricate plans to convince you to come around.”
His voice is an invitation, one of so many he’s offered me over the last few weeks. Each time, I’ve batted them back, telling myself I shouldn’t, that it will only distract me, that I can’t trust him.
But in this moment, all those protests melt away. Why shouldn’t I have this? Why shouldn’t I havehim?I’m not too proud to admit I’ve wanted him for a long time now, with his sharp wit and irresistible smile, and the way he’s never once shown the need to make me smaller so he can feel big.
“I can still put up some resistance, if you’d prefer,” I say, turning into him and sliding a hand up his thigh. I remember doing the same thing in Elmere, and how tempted I was to take it further, feeling his muscles stiffen and twitch under my touch. “Then you can show me exactly howpersuasiveyou can be.”
His eyes light up with a mix of hunger and excitement.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” he murmurs, reaching up and taking my chin between his fingers. He tilts my face toward him, brushing his thumb across my lower lip. Just that simple touch sends heat pooling at my core, and I push his hand aside to close the gap between us.
It’s just like the kiss on the boat, the one I’ve been thinking about constantly, except better. Because this time I know I’m not going to pull back. For tonight, at least, I’m all in.
He kisses me deeply, our tongues fighting for dominance, neither one willing to give ground. He wraps his arm around my waist so he can pull me against him and then dip me slightly, giving him leverage as he claims my mouth. I respond by hooking one leg up over his knee, until I’m almost straddlinghim, pulling his tied-back hair loose so the dark strands fall across his face and brush against my cheek.
“Gods, woman, you’re going to be the ruin of me,” he breathes heavily against my lips.
“Maybe nottotalruin,” I reply wickedly, shifting so my thigh brushes the hardness between his legs. “But I will break you in a little.”
I look around, peering through the shadows to a set of stairs.
“This place has rooms to rent,” I say.
“Does it, now?” Corrin smirks back, but he doesn’t give me anything more. Frustration rises in me. I’m too turned on for him to play hard to get now.
“Wadestaff—”
“Oh no,” he interrupts, then leans in to kiss me again, slow and sensuous. My muscles relax one by one as he unravels me with his tongue.
“If we’re going to do this, you’re going to call me by my first name,” he murmurs against my lips. “That’s what I want you moaning when I’m inside you.”
I narrow my eyes, though my pulse is galloping now.
“Big talk,Corrin, but are you sure you could keep up with me?”
A low sound rises from his throat, as if my challenge is the most enticing thing he’s ever heard.
“There’s only one way to find out,” he says, taking my hand.
Black shadows swirl after us as he leads me up the stairs.
Chapter 18
Leon
In all my time fighting in Trova’s civil war, I never made it this far east. Palquir’s forces focused on the capital, north of here, and our army focused on the west. Now, as we watch the hills rise and fall away into sweeping valleys, I’m glad the destruction of war didn’t reach this place. It’s truly beautiful.
“Do you think we’re nearly there?”Ana asks, coming up beside me on the deck of Ravesley’s river boat.
