The thought made him wrap his arms more tightly about her, turning his face enough to nuzzle her ear and inhale her scent. Neither of them had bathed, except in the sea, but it was intoxicating nonetheless.Shewas intoxicating. He wanted so badly to do as he’d promised when they’d last parted. Tohaveher.
But now wasn’t the time. Unfortunately, he didn’t think there would be a time later either. After he destroyed or helped destroy the shielder, she wouldn’t want anything to do with him.
Syla drew her face back from his neck—from his touch.
Again, Vorik tried to quell his horny thoughts, certain that she felt him and knew what he wanted. What hisbodywanted. His mind knew his body couldn’t act on its desires.
“This wouldn’t be wise,” Syla whispered, her gaze remaining on the side of his neck instead of toward his face. She licked her lips, as if, despite the words, she wanted to kisshim instead of pulling away. “Not when our missions… We are on different missions.”
Vorik didn’t insult her by bringing up the faction, not after Lesva had confirmed all of Syla’s suspicions about him. Now, she knew the details of General Jhiton’s orders and why Vorik had been helping her.
Compelled to honesty, he rubbed her back and snorted softly. “This is actually rather in line with mine.”
Syla shifted her gaze from his neck to his face.
He smiled sadly and stroked her cheek. “I suppose if you didn’t divulge any secrets for Lesva, you won’t confide them to me in the throes of passion.”
She didn’t pull away from his touch. If anything, she leaned into it, her eyelids lowering, as if she longed for it. Forhim.
“Kingdom secrets,” she said, “aren’t generally what I spout when I’m passionate and excited.”
“In the temple, you cried my name.”
“That shouldn’t be a secret to you.”
“No, I’ve been aware of my name almost my entire life.” Vorik smiled again. “I liked hearing you use it.”
She brushed her fingers along his jaw. “I would have liked it better if it had been the name of a lowly peon who’d genuinely defected from the stormer military.”
His desire flared at her simple touch, and his voice turned husky when he said, “In this moment, a part of me wishes that was what I was.”
He caught himself leaning closer, tempted by her touch, her inviting lips, but she wouldn’t want?—
No, she leaned in as well, and she kissed him, her lips as warm and appealing as the rest of her body. His arms tightened around her as he kissed her back. His lips stroked hers, his tongue tasting her. The memory of having his mouth between herotherlips sent a flush of heat to his groin, and he sought to deepen their kiss as his hand strayed to the knot tying her robe shut.
But she leaned back, pulling her mouth from his, though she didn’t try to slide out of his lap. Her delicious weight remained against his hard length, and he longed to keep her close, but she couldn’t truly want this. Not after what she’d endured.
Magical torture, as he well knew, was painful. It didn’t have to leave permanent damage to the body, not the way a blade or other implements did, but itcoulddamage the mind. It often traumatized a person.
Vorik sensed, however, that it was more what Syla had learned—or had verified—that was the problem.
“Did you accept your orders eagerly? Excited by the idea of…” Syla lifted her hand from his shoulder to wave at herself.
“No,” Vorik said.
Syla raised her eyebrows. With skepticism?
“I’ve enjoyed the company of women.” Vorik kept himself from sayingmanywomen, certain that wouldn’t impress her, and none of the others mattered now anyway.Thiswas the woman he longed to be with tonight. “And the general, knowing that, decided on this scheme. Lesva was right, however, in one thing. You may not believe it after all this, but I do strive to be honorable with my enemies, to face them openly and fairly, without artifice.”
“I… believe it.”
“But I don’t… I can’t disobey orders. General Jhiton is not only my commanding officer, but he’s my older brother and the man who raised me after our father died. I probably wouldn’t have survived without his guidance and protection. There are no shields to protect my people, and our lives aren’t easy.”
“I gathered from your delight at blackberries growing wild by the lighthouse.”
“They were so good.” Vorik closed his eyes, distracted by the memory. Wouldn’t a few of those be delightful right now? If they had a bowl full, they could feed them to each other, she dropping one into his mouth, and he one into hers. He would watch as she chewed slowly, then slipped her tongue out of her mouth to lick the berry juice from her lips. “That dessert you made with them waswonderful.”
“I’ll make you ten more if you leave our shielder alone.”
