“I know.” She tightened her arms around his neck, leaning closer to impress her heart. “But Ethenn, I’m not undecided about us. I see no reason to wait untold months to commit to what we already know we want.”
His gaze darkened only long enough for Ilain to wonder at its cause before he slipped an arm under her legs and stood, liftingher. He showed no signs of difficulty in the exertion, turning casually to lay her on the bed. Then he settled next to her. Their heads rested on the pillows as he stared into her eyes. “I’m not rushing this, Ilain,” he said in a hushed voice. “It isn’t because I don’t trust you. It’s because I love you, and I want to do this the right way.”
“You won’t leave me?” she asked, her heart stuttering.
He shook his head. “Not unless you tell me to.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Ethenn ran a finger along her cheek, gently pushing back the stray hairs there. Her skin prickled with heat. The fire within her leaped, begging to be unleashed.
“It happens for me, too, you know,” Ilain whispered. His thick eyebrows pulled together, and she explained. “When we touch, my magic responds.”
His chin rose. “Is that why you want me to kiss you?”
“Among other reasons.”
“Such as?”
“I told you,” Ilain smiled shyly, “I like you.”
His rich brown eyes darted between hers as though trying to understand her meaning. Then he swallowed roughly. “We should get some sleep,” he whispered.
“We’re still dressed,” she reminded him.
“True,” he smirked, “but as I don’t care to sleep between the same sheets as Lorn and Nance, I think it’d be rather cold otherwise.”
“You intend to sleep on top of the blankets?”
He shrugged.
“What ifIstill get cold?” she said flirtatiously.
Ethenn’s lips lifted knowingly. “Are you asking to cuddle with me?”
“It seems appropriate, given the circumstances.”
“I suppose I’ll have to learn at some point,” he said with dry humor.
Clide leaped onto the bed just then, nuzzling his way between them. Disdainfully, Ethenn eyed the cat, but Ilain merely prodded him enough times to force him to the foot of the bed. Then she slid across the mattress to press herself into Ethenn’s chest.
He rested his arm loosely around her, and his chin pressed into her temple. Despite his protests, he proved rather adequate at the task. His breath heated her face, and her magic flickered happily inside of her.
“Ethenn,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
He shifted to look down at her. “Why?”
“I didn’t mean to push you,” she said. “I didn’t know how this—howImade you feel.”
“It’s not just you, Ilain. I’ve felt this way my whole life. It’s just heightened with you.”
“So you don’t feel like killing something now?”
He laughed nervously. “No. I feel on the verge of losing control, but...I’m all right. For the moment, at least.”
