Page 14 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

He stood only a few feet away, his arms crossed in front of him and his face a reserved calm, but Lea didn’t miss the sadness lingering beneath the surface. Frown lines bracketed his eyes, and his shoulders hung as if exhaustion sat heavy upon them. This surely wasn’t what he’d expected when he left her room only hours ago, ready to join the rebellion and change the kingdom. Ready to escape not only Auropera, but also the pain of witnessing her relationship with Gray.

It didn’t excuse how he had behaved toward her, the cruel words he’d said before still a tiny wedge between her heart and lungs, but it was obvious how much he believed in this rebellion. And it was just as obvious that he loved her.

Thomas appeared years older, more mature. Where he had always been soft and sensitive, he was now hardened and determined, and Lea hoped that his newfound purpose could help keep her friends safe as they traveled back to Bearswillow.

"Protect them," Lea mouthed to Thomas, unable to give voice to the words trapped in her throat.

Thomas nodded, his eyes tight and his Adam's apple bobbing as if there were words that begged to be spoken, before he swallowed them down and put a soothing hand on Emma’s back.

Gray turned from Vincent and Erik and walked with determined strides to where Lea waited. "Janelle—" he started.

Janelle jumped, grabbing onto Lea’s hand. "I want to come with you. I’m agreatthird wheel. You won’t even know I’m there. And I can help you. You know I’m good at avoiding danger," she said firmly.

"You are," Gray agreed. "Which is why I need you with the others. You’ll ride at the front with Erik and Vincent. I believe you can be an asset in getting the resistance to Bearswillow safely." Gray gently grabbed her shoulders, turning her around to look at the army preparing for their journey.

Janelle froze, eyes darting between her fellow rebels. "They need you, Janelle." He gestured to the anxious rebels, who appeared to be filled with uncertainty.

"You’ve made the journey before, and you know Bearswillow well. I need you there to sense what threats are coming."

Janelle paused, taking a deep breath before hanging her head. "Gods dammit, Gray. I really hate you." She looked at Erik, a tight smile pulling at her lips. "Show me my horse, then." She gave Lea’s hand one more squeeze, and Lea held back a sob as Janelle refused to look at her, a tear trailing down her cheek.

"This way." Erik placed an arm around Janelle’s shoulder and pulled her close. "Have you ridden a horse before, then?" he asked as they walked to the herd in the back.

"Thomas," Gray called to where he sat with Emma against a large tree trunk. Thomas rose quickly, walking to Gray without saying a word.

"Despite our differences, I believe you are committed to this cause. Between that and the magic you hold, I would like you at the tail of the caravan. Ensure we leave no soldier behind."

"I’m honored you’d trust me for the job."

"It is honorable that you are willing to sacrifice your life to help us succeed. But understand that you have had your one chance, Thomas. If you are to fight alongside us in this rebellion, you will not get another. I’m giving you the opportunity to prove yourself andearnmy trust. Because as of now, you do not have it."

Shame flooded Thomas’s eyes, his shoulders hunching slightly forward, and Lea wondered if he was reliving the minutes in which he didn’t help as Alaric had beat her in front of him.

Lea felt a stab of sorrow for her friend. "Gray, there’s no reason to bring that up. Thomas—"

"No. He’s right. I failed you. But I won’t ever again." He gave Lea a contrite smile as he added, "My Queen." He turned back to Gray. "I will protect your people. Both of your people."

Gray tilted his head, examining Thomas for several long moments before clapping him on the shoulder. "Then go. Vincent will give you instructions."

Thomas leaned forward, as if wanting to give Lea a quick kiss on her cheek, but he stopped himself, clearing his throat. "Be careful," he warned her. "The woods are not what you expect them to be. Don’t be stubborn, and listen to Evander."

He pulled away, glancing at Emma as he passed to await instructions from Vincent.

Lea and Gray stood together, watching as the army began to leave—Vincent, Janelle, and Erik at the front and Thomas at the rear, his sword bouncing against his thigh as his horse trotted forward. Thomas raised his hand in a slow wave as he cleared the magic barrier.

Now that they were alone, the silence in the clearing was startling. The chaos of the night was gone, and Lea became acutely aware of the adrenaline thrumming through her blood. What had happened over the past few hours? How had tonight ended with her fleeing to a different kingdom with the Eclipsed King, when it had begun with a ceremony in which she would vow to tie her life to the Night Prince? Her head spun as she turned toward Gray, her stomach flipping as she found his eyes staring into hers predatorily.

Lea sucked in a deep breath as his eyes darkened. She opened her mouth to speak, but it was quickly claimed by Gray’s hungry lips. His tongue found hers as a groan rumbled inside his chest, his hands sliding into her hair and tipping her head back to deepen their kiss before they slid down to lift her legs around his waist. He lifted her quickly, walking her backward.

"You love me," he whispered between kisses, his voice desperate. "Of all the things that have happened tonight, that confession is what has shaken me to my core. All the planning I’ve done, all the years I spent preparing for the day I would lead the rebellion from this horrendous place, and yet all that has consumed my mind is the way your lips looked as they uttered those words."

He kissed her deeper, pressing her back against the tree as his mouth trailed down her jaw, sucking and teasing as he traced the curve of her neck. "You love me," he breathed, as his forehead found her shoulder, his movements pausing as a shuddering breath racked his body.

Lea grabbed his face, holding it tight between her hands as she lifted it to meet hers. His eyes shone with unshed tears, the relief in his expression shattering her heart. He had played the part of the confident leader from the moment she’d seen him, the moment she’d rushed into his arms in the dungeons below the castle. But now? His stern exterior had been shredded by his need for her. "I love you," she whispered, finding his lips again as he pulled her closer to him. He ground his hips into hers, his thick length pressing against her center as her body wrapped around his desperately.

"I love you," she repeated, needing him tofeelher sincerity. "I’m sorry I—" she gasped as his strong fingers pulled the neck of her dress to the side and his lips found the top of her breast. She arched into his touch, electricity blazing across her skin.

"I don’t want your apologies, Little Flower. Theonlything I want to hear is the moans of the woman I love as she comes on my fingers." His other hand glided up her leg until he pulled aside her panties in one swift motion, dragging his fingers through her wet folds. His mouth found her nipple at the same moment, sucking hard before softly biting the pebbled tip between his teeth.

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