Page 29 of An Archer's Reckoning

Declan shook his head, his broad smile lighting up the gloomy cave. I’d almost forgotten how beautiful he was when he smiled . . . and how his eyes sparkled like the purest emeralds.

Spirits, I was so in love with the man.

“I know we just piled a cartload on your shoulders, but I never want secrets between us. If we’re going to be . . .” He motioned a hand between us. “Whatever two men can be, we have to be honest with each other.”

“Always.” I laid my hand atop his.

His shoulders relaxed the moment our skin touched, and I felt his heart beat faster—or was that my own?

“Is there anything else I need to know?” I asked, unsure where to take the conversation following Declan’s “the world will burn” vision.

His brows tightened as he thought.

“There is much you should know, but that is enough for the moment.”

I blinked a few times, and a grin curled my lips.

“Oh, shit. I know that look. What?”

I lifted a brow. “There ismuchI should know? Who sounds like the lordling now?”

Declan’s fingers dug into my leg in just the right spots to shoot a wave of ticklish energy throughout my core.

“Not fair!” I shouted as he squeezed again. “Tickling is strictly forbidden.”

I shot to my feet and backed away, only to have him advancing toward me—poised digits outstretched before him.

“Lord Byrne, have I just discovered a weakness? A chink in your very stuffy armor?”

“My armor is not stuffy, thank you very much. It’s padded for comfort.”

Declan burst out laughing at the same time he plunged forward and gripped my sides, ticking with the ferocity of a battle-crazed soldier.

“Spirits and gods, make it stop,” I cried between gasps.

That only encouraged the man.

Fucking Declan Rea.

I was about to wet my breeches, so I did the only thing I could think might stop his assault.

I kissed him.

The moment our lips met, his hands flew from my sides to grip my head, cradling me in strength, passion, and tenderness. His mouth devoured mine, and his tongue delved into me as though it had starved for my taste for thousands of years.

We had spent so much time speaking of the fate of the world and the death of all we loved, I had started to wonder if Declan’s craving for me had waned.

How wrong those thoughts were.

I moaned beneath his desire.

“Declan,” I breathed between kisses. “Fuck, Dec, I missed you so much.”

“I love you, Ayden Byrne.”

I froze, my eyes wide.

He pulled back so our lips were a few inches apart. His gaze was more intense than I had ever seen, and I knew whatever he said next came from the depths of his being.

---