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I tilt my head to the side and graze my teeth against the crook of his neck as if I need to bite him to stop myself from spiraling away completely. Stavros’s hips jerk upwards, his cock plunging into me at just the right angle, and I shatter apart.
I feel him come with me, his muscles flexing around me, his embrace tightening as he clings to me just as firmly. I careen through the wave of pleasure and come back to earth nestled in his scorching but tender embrace.
“Mmm.” I tuck myself even closer against him, reveling in the strength his body emanates. “Remind me to be selfish more often.”
A laugh hitches out of Stavros. “I wish you could be. Great God help me, I wish I could hold you right here until the end of fucking time.”
Until there are no more scourge sorcerers to worry about. Until the king has to make some other plan without me.
It’s a nice thought, but we both know there’s no answer so simple.
I nuzzle his jaw and hug him for the last short while before I have to go out and face the murderous path I’ve set myself on.
Forty-Four
Ivy
I’m just pulling on my leather sparring vest when a hand comes to rest on my shoulder.
“I can help you with that.”
I peer up at Stavros through my eyelashes as he hooks the loops down one side and then the other, his fingers sparking tingles over my skin through my shirt. “I have managed to do it up just fine on my own all those times before.”
He hums, a soft rumble that makes my nerves flutter even more. “I like that you’ll let me.” His head dips lower as his hand slides across my waist. “And it puts me in a perfect position to do this.”
His mouth claims mine before I can say anything else, but at that point I’m not interested in arguing anyway. Being wooed by the exalted former General Stavros is an unexpectedly intoxicating experience.
And his ex-fiancée gave this up because he wasn’t riding off into battle trying to get himself killed every other day? I don’t know anything about her other than her status, but I’m pretty confident in saying she’s an idiot.
Julita giggles.You know, I wasn’t sure if Stavros would be all that talented at kissing. I’m glad I lingered long enough to be proven wrong.
There’s enough genuine glee in her voice that I don’t worry she’s bottling up more jealousy. The new biggest problem in our friendship may be having to decide just how much detail I’m willing to go into about the intimate parts she’s withdrawn for.
That thought reminds me of all the other ways Stavros and I need to be circumspect about our newfound closeness.
I ease back reluctantly. “When we leave this room, we’re going to have to pretend things are still tense between us. If anyone associated with Torstem realizes we might be colluding after all…”
Stavros nods before I have to finish my statement. “I’m not looking forward to it, but I can glower and grouse at you if it’ll shield you from worse harm.” He glides his fingertips along my jaw in one last caress. “As long as you remember it is all an act.”
I grin at him. “I don’t think my memories of last night are going to fade that quickly.”
But there are plenty of other memories to cast a pall over the day ahead. As we step into the hall, keeping a careful distance apart, my gaze slips along the row of doors toward Ster. Torstem’s quarters farther down.
How long of a reprieve will I get before I need to spill his blood or betray the king?
I have the sudden urge to shove Stavros back into his quarters, to signal Alek and Casimir and spend whatever time I have left soaking up all the happiness I can squeeze out of this life. I don’t know how much of a life I’ll have left once I’ve carried out King Konram’s orders.
As simple as the king made the job sound, with every passing hour the knowledge weighs on me that there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to escape in the chaos after the assassination. Torstem’s end may be mine too.
But I have to admit that one life to rid the continent of a new scourge sorcerer uprising seems more than fair. I knew the risks when I set off on this path.
So I simply clench my hands at my sides and stalk along behind Stavros as if resenting my duties, all the way down to the training field.
Assisting with the combat class isn’t so bad. These students have sparred with me enough to grant me a little respect.
I throw myself into the moment, clashing blades with the opponents Stavros sets me against and tossing out snarky remarks as if I’m every bit the rebel. It’s a better distraction than moping around the campus on my own.
When the former general’s back is turned, Olari shoots me a conspiratorial smile.
