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My spine tingled as he lifted my top, letting his knuckles trail up my rib cage and leaving goosebumps in their wake. My hips bucked in response, but he was taking his time, relishing my curves. Caressing his hands down my body.
“Run away with me,” he said. “When this is all over and you get the cure for your mother, run away with me.”
I paused, my skin flushing from his sudden confession. “What? Are you mad? Where would we even go?”
He kissed my collarbone, and I attempted to lock my legs around him—eager to be closer—but he forced them apart, hindering my movement. He kept his eyes locked on mine as he licked and kissed and nibbled his way down my stomach, stopping inches away from where I wanted him most.
“Elkway. There’s a clan of witches there that owe me a favor.” He paused, his smile growing larger. “What do you say?”
Although the idea was outlandish at best, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t intrigue me. Life would never be the same after this—I’d never be the same. If I could restore my mother back to health, why shouldn’t I do something that’d make me happy? I’d always wanted to explore the continent and escape the shackles of Wendover. What better opportunity than to do it with someone who set my soul on fire?
If I’d learned anything these past couple of years, it was to appreciate every moment before it was gone because tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. I’d spent far too long putting aside my own wants and needs for the sake of others.
It was time to take back my life. Be true to myself. And, quite frankly, if I survived these trials, I deserved it.
“I’d say you’re mad.” I laughed.
Talon’s lips settled against mine before I could say anything else. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” he said between kisses.
He pulled me beside him, wrapping me in his arms as he deepened the kiss.
I curled into his warm, safe body, transferring every unspoken thought and feeling into our embrace—each breath—every glance. My lips were swollen by the time he pulled away, gazing into my eyes as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I turned over in his arms, pressing my back against his chest, fantasizing about the possibility.
His fingers danced along my arm, igniting a delicious thrill that cascaded down my spine.
The answer was simple. I knew as sleep settled into my bones that there was nothing else I wanted to do more.
Thirty
Two trials remained. Three competitors. And only one heart would beat in the end.
My anxiety worked overtime, imagining scenario after scenario with every step I took. My nerves frayed as we were ushered to the arena, lined up single file like mere cattle.
If I was right, we’d already completed greed, envy, pride, gluttony, and wrath. Only sloth and lust remained. I couldn’t figure out what the king would have in store for either of those, not that it mattered. Whatever he planned would be nothing short of impossible, with deadly consequences.
Sirens.
Poison.
Cannibalistic sprites.
Talon’s thumb brushed against my hand so quickly I almost didn’t notice.
I peered up at him, careful not to move my head in fear of anyone watching, and found a smug grin on his lips.
He had slipped out the other night, after holding me in his arms until I fell asleep. It was the first night in weeks I’d slept well, but the aching sensation I felt when I woke up to find him gone was almost debilitating. I couldn’t wait to see him later that day to train—it was another session filled with insinuation and need.
Dagger throwing had never been so easy.
Talon pulled me into a dark enclave as the front of the line disappeared around the corner. Covering my mouth with his to swallow my surprise, he kissed me deep and hungry.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him to me—losing myself to him. In that moment, I didn’t care who saw or who knew, or what trouble we could get into. I only thought of his lips and the growing warmth in my belly.
“You are mad,” I whispered against his lips, and he kissed the tip of my nose.
“You have no idea, firefly.”
“Someone could find us.”
