Page 133 of Huntress

He groaned and adjusted his hips, giving her better access. With a shuddering breath, she tilted forward and rocked against him.

“Gods, Saint,” she murmured, the ache in her core driving all other thoughts from her mind.

The door whipped open.

“Hey, Elsie!” Riven stood at the end of the bed, her mouth dropped open.

Elsie scrambled off Saint’s lap, face flaming. Her mind raced for a plausible explanation while her heart plunged into her stomach, but she couldn’t think of a single sane thing to say.

“Oh my gods, I knew it!” Riven crowed gleefully. “Oh!” She hurried over and shut the door, locking it so no one else would burst in.

“What do you mean you knew it? Please tell me we weren’t that obvious?” Elsie asked, face in her hands.

“I’m a water mage. I can feel the flow of energy, and you two are all over each other, even when you’re pretending to hate him.” She grinned. “Don’t worry! I’m not going to tell anybody. You’re trying to keep it a secret, right? I knew you weren’t like them. Thank the gods I got here before the clothes came off, eh?”

Elsie glanced at Saint, quickly looking away. Thank the gods, indeed.

“Riven, I am not kidding, they’ll kill us if they find out.”

“I won’t breathe a word, I swear it, okay?” Riven promised, holding out her pinky. Elsie gave her a confused look, and the mage grabbed her hand, hooking their pinkies together. “You can’t break a pinky promise, it’s universal law.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” Elsie said doubtfully, looking back at Saint, who shrugged in response.

“Mages aren’t like hunters. Why is it anyone else’s business if you want to fool around with a man that sexy? We have magic, they have magic, and our bits fit together as they should in most cases. The hunters make‌ too big a deal out of everything, if you ask me.”

She frowned and looked at Saint, remembering that he’d been given to Elsie as a gift. “Why were you willing to let me take him home? Is it not that serious between you?”

“That was part of the act,” Elsie said. “I wasn’t worried about him accepting your offer. Sorry about that.”

“Oooh, yeah, that makes sense.”

“Riven? Why are you here?”

“Oh! Trenton sent me. Roz gave him a mission, and he needs your input on how to split the squad,” the mage answered.

“I told you,” Elsie grumbled at her demon. She got up and retrieved the file from the floor, ignoring Riven’s knowing smile. “I’ll look it over and have an answer for him soon. Does he have a deadline, and did he specifically request anyone?”

“Morning, and no.”

“Why didn’t he come himself? Nevermind. I’m glad he didn’t,” Elsie said, then remembered Trenton had manners. He never would have barged into the room without knocking. “I’ll have an answer for him at dinner.”

“I’ll let him know.”

“Thanks. And Riven? Knock next time.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Elsie locked the door behind her, then put up a flimsy barrier as an extra layer of protection. It wouldn’t stop anyone skilled, but it would make them think twice about entering without permission. She dragged her feet as she shuffled over to throw herself face-first onto the bed.

“That was dangerous, and way too close,” she groaned.

“I should have heard her coming,” Saint apologized.

“I didn’t either. Saint, I hate this.” Sitting up, she looked at him miserably. “We shouldn’t have to hide from anybody, and we shouldn’t be afraid to be together. I want you.”

He beckoned her over, and she crawled the distance between them, curling up in his lap while he held her. “I want you, too. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Mistress.”

“We’ll have to watch Riven closely. She wasn’t lying, but she could change her mind. If she says anything–”