Page 101 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

Nodding through her tears, she pressed her forehead against Erik‘s chest. He folded his arms around her as if it was a reflex, engulfing her in heat, but Janelle didn’t care. For the first time in over five years, she felt at peace, completely whole.

Janelle wanted to kiss him, to feel his hands exploring her body, but she couldn’t force herself to pull away from his comforting embrace. She’d had plenty of physical affection in her life, but this emotional connection? Never once since that day had she allowed it.

She couldn’t stop it as a cascade of love and belonging filled a hole inside her that had been sitting empty, waiting. As if Erik sensed her thoughts, he gently lifted her in his arms, cradling her against his chest as he returned them to their room. He placed her on the bed and silently climbed in behind her. Pulling her firmly against his chest, Erik tucked her head in the crook of his neck.

"Thank you," Janelle whispered, grabbing his arms where he held her.

"I meant what I said, Janelle. I love you. I would do anything for you. Whatever you need, I will be it."

Janelle was unable to bring herself to say the words back, not yet. She’d opened up enough tonight, and she sensed Erik knew that, knew how she truly felt. And so they simply laid there together, Janelle soaking up every bit of love that she could and wondering if maybe she actually was enough for someone after all.

Chapter 66

Lea

Itwasnearlyimpossibleto focus on training the next day. In the early morning hours Lea heard Gray speak into her mind. Once again, instead of just feeling the presence of the bond and faint muted sensations of what he was feeling, his voice was clear and his emotions strong.I'm coming, Little Flower.As she opened her eyes and sat upright, shaking away the remnants of sleep, she was hit with an overwhelming sense of trepidation. Something was wrong.

What is it?Lea asked him.

King Tanad and I have news. We should be back by sunset.Gray’s voice sent a zap of electricity through her chest.

I’ve missed you. Promise you’re safe?Lea knew that physically, at least, he was fine. She couldn’t feel any injuries or pain from him through their bond, but still, she needed to hear the words.

I’ve missed you too, and I’m fine. Are you?

Lea’s heart raced.I’m okay.Lea paused, wondering how much she should share with him right now.I spoke to Eudora.

A lightning bolt of fury crashed in her chest.I knew she would wait until I was gone. Tell me you didn’t promise her anything.

Lea hesitated. Gray wasn’t going to be happy with her, but she couldn’t lie to him.Nothing that we can’t handle. We can talk about it when you get here.She sent a reassuring pulse of calm through the bond. Lea swore that she heard him growl, but he didn’t argue with her. There was no point, now that the deal had already been made.

Fine,Gray finally answered.Go back to sleep, Little Flower. I love you.

Lea finally gave up on sleeping after about an hour, her excitement about Gray’s return making it impossible. Even after she dressed and ate her breakfast of colorful, tropical fruit, the day moved exceptionally slowly. Their morning run seemed to take twice as long, and now, after an afternoon in the ‘room of horrors,’ as Eudora called it, and then dinner in their rooms, they had returned to the training room to work on combat and weaponry.

Lea’s eyes darted to the doors every few seconds, waiting for them to open and for Gray to enter. Hints of purple were beginning to float above the ocean, the bottom of the sun diving down for its evening swim.He said by sundown,Lea thought, trying to swallow her worry. She hadn’t felt anything wrong, could still feel his heartbeat and his magic mixing with her own. Still, it was impossible to focus. Wordlessly, Lea sat down on the mat, folding her arms across her chest, waiting.

She sensed him before she saw him, that undercurrent of electricity that always warned her of his proximity, and she jumped to her feet and was out the doors even before Gray got there. Launching herself into his arms, she wrapped her legs around his hips. It felt like coming home, like sliding into the comfort of your familiar bed. Pressing her face between his neck and chin, Lea inhaled deeply, and the scent of the wind that carries in a summer rainstorm flooded her senses.

"I missed you so much," Gray whispered into Lea’s hair, kissing her just above her temple. He held her tightly against his chest, the tension in his shoulders melting away.

"I missed you, too. Next time you need to leave, I’m going with you," Lea insisted. Being apart from him wasn’t natural. Not at all.

"I absolutely agree." Gray’s shadows folded around her body, assessing her.

"I’m fine. No injuries to report here, Commander," Lea joked as she ordered her shadows to do the same.

Erik appeared behind them, clearing his voice. "You’re back sooner than I expected," he said, his voice brimming with concern.

Gray placed Lea’s feet back on the ground, but kept her firmly tucked against his side. "We found something that warranted us rushing back. We rode through the night and day as fast as we could to get here."

Reaching out, Lea stroked the dark circles under Gray’s eyes, taking in his messy hair and open collar. He looked completely exhausted. Lea closed her eyes, suddenly feeling faint. Was Gray really feeling this weak?

Grabbing her hand, Gray kissed her fingers softly before turning to Erik. "We need to talk, all of us. Erik, get the others and meet us in Tanad’s study."

As soon as they were alone, Gray lifted Azalea back into his arms, wrapping her legs around him and pressing her up against the wall. His lips found hers immediately and his kisses were almost bruising as he tangled his hands through her hair.

"Never again," he rumbled against her mouth. All Lea could do was moan as she rocked herself against him, and Gray let out a heavy sigh.

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