Page 68 of The Great and Terrible

“How?”

“I just am.” He said no more, but worry infiltrated his expression, as if he feared I might start pushing, and he would react, ruining the special moment.

Okay, so, he clearly had a secret of his own. Which wasn’t an indication of betrayal. Everything depended on the secret and the purpose behind it. Maybe, for whatever reason, he dreaded my reaction, as I had dreaded his. Perhaps he’d promised his brother never to share the details of their connection. Or he hoped to avoid Patch and Leona overhearing. There were a thousand innocent motives. Bottom line? I either trusted Jasher or I didn’t. A truth that resurrected another matter.

“When we reach the next village,” he said, “I’ll get word to my commander, and he’ll send someone to discover who died.”

“Thank you.” His kindness lit a fuse deep inside me, torching my defenses. Every part of me wanted him to know how special every part of him was. “Here,” I said, removing the compass and anchoring the leather strap around his neck. “I want you to have this.”

He blinked down at me. “I don’t understand. We haven’t reached Lux City yet.”

“I know. But I believe you are honorable, and you’ll keep your end of the bargain, despite receiving payment beforehand.”

What little remained of his emotionless mask fell from his features, revealing gut-wrenching vulnerability. As if he’d never dared hope someone might see something of worth in him. As if he’d waited his entire life for such an outcome.

Without my defenses, things inside me cracked. Here, now, I didn’t care. Enough heaviness. After enduring days of turmoil and danger, and we deserved a break. What better location than this gorgeous oasis?

“Swim with me.” I kicked off my boots and lifted my arms, inviting him to remove my shirt. “We have a head start on the rebels, if any gave chase. We’ve got time.”

“You’re right. We’re safe for now.” He searched my gaze, hesitated a beat more, then raised my shirt over my head, revealing my plain beige bra. A leftover from our stay in the Wild West Inn. Slowly but surely, he discarded his weapons, one after the other. The axes. Daggers. A mini-whip I hadn’t noticed. A collapsible crossbow.

I watched, awed. When he finished, he raised his arms, issuing his own invitation.

Yes, thank you. I worked to remove his tunic, but the material pulled tight over his wealth of muscles. Eventually, I managed it. The compass hung between his pectorals, an adornment I wished I’d given him sooner. I gave it, him, a stroke.

His nostrils flared. When I stepped back, he toed off his boots. We watched the other unfasten and shed their pants. I revealed the bra’s matching panties while he killed in a pair of loose-ish black boxer briefs with a string tie instead of an elastic band. Tattoos even covered his legs. While his chest boasted images of limbs with dangling heads, his thighsdisplayed more of the trunk. Twirling roots decorated his calves. He was a tree of life and death.A temptation like no other.

He ran his hot—and heating—gaze over my curves, giving me the same once-over I’d given him, his pupils gobbling up his irises. New flutters erupted in my belly.

“Tonight, I don’t want to think about unanswered questions, the murals, my bloodline, curses, or monsters. Let’s be a fun farmgirl and a super-hot soldier on leave.” As I spoke, I backed up, entering the water. The warmth delighted me, but I liked his reaction more.

Raising his chin, emitting pure intensity, he squared his shoulders and stalked closer. Water splashed as he entered. “You are a farmgirl. Agreed. But I’m not a soldier on leave. I’m a soldier on a mission.”

“Mmm.” I smiled at him. “Do tell.”

“OperationCapture the Farmgirl is a go.” He lunged for me.

With a laugh, I reared back. He swiped only air. Living in the moment, I scooped handfuls of water and splashed him.

He paused to rub a hand over his face, removing the droplets from his eyes. “That’s how you want to play this, eh?”

“Try and stop me,” I taunted.

Seizing the advantage, he pounced, diving into me, taking us both under water.

“You fiend!” I laughed as I breached the surface. I shimmed from his hold and swam off. “I’ll make you pay for that.”

“Farmgirl, this soldier isdetermined.”

After that, we played like children, splashing about, taking turns chasing and evading. But it wasn’t long before our laughter ceased. My desire to evade him fled. Every time we brushed together, I swallowed a breathless groan.

With his intensity on full display, Jasher pressed meagainst a smooth rock. Chest to chest. He captured my hands and kissed my knuckles before pinning my wrists over my head. My heart raced with purpose.

He traced the pad of his finger over my ring, his gaze hot on mine. “Where did you get this?”

“It was my mother’s,” I replied, honest. “I thought I lost it. Then I came here and suddenly it appeared. First as a shadow, then as the real deal. Iris called it a forever key.”

“I’ve never heard mention of a forever key.” He slid a thumb down, down my arm, stopping at my mouth. Eyelids growing heavy, he plumped my bottom lip. “I want to kiss you,” he all but growled.

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