Page 131 of Of Masks and Fury

“Maybe I don’t want to stay dry,” I shot back with a coy smile, licking his thumb. “Maybe I want you to feed me like this forever, with slow, teasing bites that make me hungry for more than just food.”

He leaned in, his breath warm on my lips. “Tempting. Eat up, love. We need to rest.”

We shared the food, passing pieces back and forth. He fed me bits of the apple one at a time, and I was reminded of how much my sister adored them. They tasted sweet now that I knew she was alive. I hoped she still was, that is. I couldn’t have come this far only to find her dead at the end.

Trew’s thumb glided across my lower lip with each offering, and the simple gesture heated me as fast as direct sexual contact.

When we’d eaten our fill, he wrapped up the remaining food and set it aside.

“It’s late, and tomorrow we need to figure out our next move,” he said.

“Where exactly are we sleeping?”

He gestured to a smooth section of stone near the spring. “Not ideal, but I’ve slept in worse places.”

“We’re going to freeze.”

“Not if I’m holding you.” He opened the pack and tugged out the tunic I’d stolen from him and a pair of soft pants for me, plus clothing for himself.

“I’m going to kiss Kerralyn for this, too,” I said.

“Lexie packed the clothing so you owe her a kiss instead.”

I tugged them on quickly, savoring the softness of his tunic against my flesh.

He dressed as well.

We walked to the spot he’d indicated, and he sat first, pulling me down between his legs so my back rested against his chest.

“Will this do?” he asked.

“Indeed.”

He wrapped his arms around me, his body warm. I could feel his heartbeat against my spine, and there wasn’t anything better than resting in this man’s arms.

We sat in silence for a long moment, and I felt the events of the day catching up with me. The fear. The escape. The desperate flight. And now safety, love, and a future I worried I’d lose.

“War is coming,” I said quietly. “My father won’t let this stand.”

“No, he won’t.” His lips brushed the top of my head. “But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, we’re safe, we’re together, and nothing else matters.”

I turned my head to look up at him. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make me believe everything will be alright.”

His smile was soft. “Because it will be. Maybe not easy. Maybe not without cost. But we’ll come through because you’re the one soul that makes every battle worth winning. With you by my side, even the fates bow to us.”

I shifted so I could kiss him properly. He responded with gentle hunger, his hands framing my face.

When we broke apart, he adjusted our position so we were lying down, my head on his chest and his arms secure around me.

“Sleep, love,” he said. “My wards will alert us if anyone comes near.”

The combination of his warmth, his heartbeat beneath my ear, and the exhaustion dragging at my limbs made arguing impossible. My eyes drifted closed.

“I’m done pretending I could live without you.”