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he dip. It’s kind of like a makeshift campfire, giving us enough light so that we can see each other.
He wipes his dirty hand on his pants, then lowers himself to the ground. He positions his back up against the wall before holding his hand out to me.
“I’m ready when you are. Don’t be afraid—”
“I’m not.”
I can tell that he expects me to sidle up next to him, to cozy up to his side. Yeah, nope. He agreed to this. He said I can touch him.
I’m going to touch him the way I want to.
I straddle him and Rys lets me. I tell myself it’s because he’s being kind and that he knows I’m so cold, but it’s more than that. I heard his murmur, and I saw the look that crossed his face when he first laid his hand on my arm.
He felt it, too.
I wrap my arms around his bare waist. I still have his shirt hanging off the crook of my elbows. I could probably offer it back to him since he’s allowing me to share his body heat… but I don’t. It’s fine where it is.
Just like I’m fine where I am.
The first rush of touching him was intoxicating. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad that, the longer I cling to him, the easier it is to tolerate. It still feels amazing, but it’s more controllable. His embrace makes me feel loved and safe while also lulling me into a false sense of security.
I never want to leave his side.
Of course, that’s part of the magic. I’m not so far gone that I don’t realize that. It’s the big reason why I put off allowing one of the fae to touch me for so long. Once you do, you’re hooked. You lose any of the power you have, swinging the balance right toward the already powerful mythical race. I can already tell that I’d do anything to feel this again.
Which is why, as soon as I’ve warmed up enough, I start to slide off of Rys’s lap.
I haven’t gone more than a few inches when his hands snap out, gripping my waist. The whole time I was holding onto him, Rys was silent. As soon as I try to give him his space, he speaks up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he rumbles.
Is it just me or does the newfound deep timbre to his voice sound even sexier?
“Oh. Um… I’ve warmed up a little. I didn’t want to bother you if I didn’t have to.”
“You’re not bothering me. Stay where you are.”
I want to. “I shouldn’t...”
“I don’t want you to go. You’ve given me a gift by allowing me to touch you. Let me repay you, Leannán. Stay and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
I’m momentarily speechless. An offer like that from a fae? It’s almost too good to be true. Especially since we both know we’re even right now. He’s done so much for me. The least I could do was let him be the one I trust with my touch.
Still...
“What if I want an answer? You told me in our old bargain that I wasn’t allowed to, so can I ask you a question?”
“You say that like I’ve ever been able to stop you,” he tells me. A hint of amusement colors his tone. “If that’s what you want, then yes. Ask me anything.”
For the first time since this morning—since well before my ordeal with Veron and Dusk—I smile. I would’ve thought it was impossible, but something about Rys right now is lifting my spirits.
It’s triggering my curiosity, too.
Rys might have been quiet while he was holding me, but I was, too. In an effort not to think about what happened to Dusk, I was focused on the Seelie male I’m with right now. And, as amazing as it is to be held in his embrace, there’s something that I can’t ignore.
“You said deal. I’ve heard that before. Deal… bargain… Dusk brought it up, so did a couple of the other guards.”
The amusement fades. Not only that, but his hands drop from my waist, hitting his thighs with a slap. “Ask me anything but that.”
