Page 65 of Oath of Rebellion

Eirwyn frowned.

Scarlet said, "You'll get there in a few days." She grabbed the small box from the table and opened it, nodding grimly. "This will work, I hope. I'll meet with him today, and hopefully meet you at the dwarves' place later this week."

Eirwyn frowned. "I still don't know why I have to go hang out with the dwarves."

Knox finished eating and took his plate to the sink. "We can talk about it on the ride. Are you ready?"

She shrugged. "It's not like I have any bags to bring with me."

He turned and strode to the door, but Olive stopped him and gave him a hug. Eirwyn watched him stiffen, then relax. She took her own plate to the sink then turned to the door. Olive held her now cleaned Scarlet cloak up and smiled.

Eirwyn put it on and said, "Thank you so much for having me again."

Olive hugged her. "Take care of my boy, princess. Don't give up on him," she whispered.

Eirwyn frowned, but Scarlet grabbed her own cloak and strode out the door.

It was a gloomy day, so they both pulled their hoods up. She had ripped three fingers of her gloves, which were now stained with dirt. But at least they were cleaner, thanks to Olive.

She walked to Knox and his horse, his hood back up. He didn't say anything, but she felt a heaviness between them. Like they were both about to cross a threshold of no return. She could be worried about her friend, stressed about her brother... but no. She was excited to take this adventure with Knox.

What was wrong with her? She'd never felt like this before.

She took his hand and climbed up in front of him. She waved to Olive and saw Scarlet ride away in the other direction.

When the woods closed behind them and there were only the sounds of animals, she wiggled on the saddle. His hand gripped her hip again, and she smiled.

It was like all those weeks ago when they'd first met. Had it only been a month? But there were so many more layers to their relationship now.

"Careful, princess. Don't wiggle too much, or this will be a painful ride."

She grinned and leaned back into the safety of his arms. "Maybe it already is," she said. "I believe you promised me a good time last night, yet here I am, still wanting."

He growled, wrapping his arm around her stomach and settling her deeper on his lap. She practically wasn't even on the saddle anymore.

She gasped at his length, and her mind splintered with need. She hadn't been with anyone else in weeks either, not since they'd met.

But he said, "We have a long way to go, princess, but we need to talk first."

She gripped his arm. He held her tight, and she felt safe and protected as the horse walked through this magical forest.

She gasped as her stomach flipped in anticipation. "About what?"

His breath tickled under her ear. "About us. If we're going to do this, there will be no kissing. If I say stop, we need to stop, alright?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "But why?"

"Safety. If I am what I think I am, I need to keep you safe."

"How can having sex be unsafe?" A gentle drizzle began to fall around them.

His hand relaxed and he leaned back. "I have poison breath, for starters. Don't want to poison you, princess, as we're currently trying to keep you alive."

She snorted, then her eyes went wide as she processed. She twisted to stare at him. "Poison breath? How is that possible? I've never heard of that type of magic before."

The line between his forehead appeared worried. "I know, which is why I need to go to the center of the forest and find out what I am."

She frowned and turned back to the front as she thought, wiping away the mist that gathered on her face. She held up her hands, ticking off on her fingers as she talked.

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