Page 98 of The Noldrin Witch

But in that moment, Kurt rose to take her in his arms. He smiled, and his eyes shone like a million stars.

“That doesn’t matter either.”

He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke more than words ever could.

Elise felt as if she had died and gone to heaven. His touch, the taste of him, consumed her like fire. He slipped his hands around her hips, and Elise felt as though she was about to implode.

They lay down together, and once they did, she couldn’t fight the urge to hold him.

He kissed her more deeply, the rough brush of his unshaven beard contrasting with the softness of his mouth. Everything about him invited her to discover more. He explored her too, his hands gliding smoothly over her body. He had waited far too long for this moment, and so had Elise. Every touch, every caress carried urgency and gentleness all at once.

They rolled together across the mattress.

Elise’s hands moved from his neck to his perfectly sculpted chest. The shape and firmness of his body tempted her to linger there forever. Every part of him she had only ever admired from a distance was now beneath her hands. Every inch of him felt firm and strong. She breathed in his scent as though it were the most delightful fragrance she had ever known.

Then, in one swift motion, Kurt rolled on top of her, his lips finally parting from hers.

“Is this just a kiss, too?” he asked with a grin.

Kurt looked at her as though happiness itself had taken her shape.

“Kurt, that man,” she said carefully. “He’s a—”

“You don’t need to explain a thing,” Kurt interjected, his lips already drifting to her neck.

Elise rolled with him once more until she found herself on top.

“But I have to,” she said, gathering all the courage she could to utter the rest. “He’s a demon.”

The pavilion fell silent. Kurt’s eyes widened as he stared at her in shock.

“He’s guarding me while I develop my powers,” Elise continued. “The alternative was to go with him...to Hell.”

Kurt shook his head. His smile faded, and he let go of Elise as he sat up on the bed.

“How could that be?”

“My powers are rare. I’m an Oracle,” Elise whispered, feeling a great weight lift from her shoulders now that she had finally told Kurt her biggest secret. “That’s how I knew you were badly injured. Morgaine brought me here and helped with the potions.”

A fierce protectiveness kindled in Kurt’s eyes.

“Stay with me. If he comes, I’ll defend your right to remain here.”

“No, no,” she managed. “There’s no need for that. After one year, I’ll be free.”

Elise went on, recounting everything about the Stone of Raj and the need to remain close to it.

“Stay with me,” Kurt repeated. This time, his voice carried the edge of a command. He held her tighter, as though afraid she would vanish the moment he let go.

Elise couldn’t help but surrender to the warmth of his touch and the growing temptation to sample those lips once more. It was as if Kurt were under a spell, an enchantment that left him caring for nothing but her.

She looked at him, feeling as though the heavens had fashioned him to satisfy her every wish. This was the man she had only ever dreamed of, the very man she had nearly lost forever. Needless to say, between one kiss and the next, she found herself beginning to yield to Kurt’s desire to keep her there.

That was, until a loud caw tore Elise from Kurt’s embrace.

“Someone is coming,” she said, fighting every instinct to remain in his arms.

“Wait,” he said, pulling her back to him.