AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The Forlorn. I picked up the scandalous novel I’d read before. Caedryn was in a meeting, discussing the winter stores. Because of my healing abilities, many of the sick had not died over the past month. Rations were being adjusted accordingly.
Such odd good tidings to discuss. The city needed more food. We were well out of danger of starvation, but the report amused me regardless. People were living. Great, I started a population increase.
I settled onto a cozy chaise, thrilled Caedryn shared bits of his duties with me. Some safe things. The small glimpses were a good first step.
I flipped to the novel’s page where I had folded down the corner.
Her skin was the color of the milk she had squeezed into the bucket. As I reached for the handle, a groan swelled inside me. I longed to embrace Carys. She didn’t know the effect she had on me. She thanked me for the help as we strolled across the yard, with her hips swaying and her skirts swishing. The sounds they made were whispers. Yes, Aderyn, yes. Soon, Aderyn, soon.
How they teased me.
I was mad to consider taking her in my arms…
The book was ripped from my hands.
I jumped up, startled to death. “Caedryn!”
He flung the book into the fire, and the flames engulfed the dried-out paper.
“This is not the least bit amusing!” His face was flushed, his eyes, rounded.
“You were in a meeting,” I whispered.
“How could I focus on a meeting with you reading that novel? Don’t make me ache for you more than I already do! Don’t tantalize me with thoughts of your porcelain flesh. I’d drink you if I could, Niawen. By the stars in the firmament, I would!”
He stormed out of the room just as he had come.
FIFTY-EIGHT
“Come here, Niawen.”
I didn’t move past the doorway to our bedchamber. Caedryn sat on the bed’s edge, with his back to me and his shirt off.
His naked torso displayed the most skin I had ever seen on him.
Oh, no. I shouldn’t have read that novel. We were supposed to be moving slow. What are you doing?
With my eyes, I couldn’t stop tracing the muscles’ contours in his neck, down and around his shoulder blades. His skin was pale without the summer sun tanning it, thrown into greater contrast with his black hair.
I held my breath as I took one step. I couldn’t take my eyes away. Nervousness coursed through my body. I smoothed my fingers down my nightgown, wishing I had several more layers than the sheer fabric that was never a problem before.
I suddenly thought of all the reasons white was so inappropriate to wear to bed with a man who wasn’t physically bound to me. The purity of it, the cleanness of it, the revealing nature of it.
Caedryn turned, and the intensity of his eyes as they sought mine almost buckled me.
“Niawen, please. Come here.”
I crawled into bed, carefully, picking my way as if serpents hid beneath the covers waiting to strike. As Caedryn destroyed the distance between us with his confident move to the bed’s center, I noticed he at least wore short, thin linen pants.
“You deserve to know the truth.” While trying not to hyperventilate, I allowed him to pull me into his arms. “You asked me to show you my nightmares. After today and your impatience with me, I’ll grant your long-awaited request. My memories will hurt you. I don’t welcome the pain they’ll cause, but hold on to me, and you’ll be safe.”
I nodded up at him, unable to speak with my upper body pressed against his bare flesh.
“Forgive me for this,” he whispered.
As I shut my eyes, his vision overtook mine. He freely fed me his memories. I didn’t need to dive with my light. I wasn’t asking to heal his torment; I wasn’t sure if I could. I had never practiced that skill. But Caedryn wanted me to see only so I might know him…
Volcanic rock cut into my knees. Pain seared my scalp where the guard held me, immobilized, forcing me to watch as my dragon struggled. Neifion. Save yourself. Flee!
