Page 33 of The Heartless Archer

She could not bring it over herself to sell the ring. At the latest now he would have noticed it gone. It must’ve not been of much worth if he noticed his gold was gone but not the ring.

The lazy voice of the priest went on while Noora pulled out the ring, the stone glimmering in green as she turned it over and over. It looked like an expensive heirloom, which was odd as it belonged to a mere guard. As much as Kai vexed her, she found herself unable to get rid of the damned ring. Maybe it meant something to him? Wouldn’t he immediately notice it gone then?

A heavy weight sat upon her chest as she clutched the ring in her hand. She was growing soft, something she feared happening her whole life.

It was time to set her focus anew.

She slipped the ring back in her pocket and straightened her back. It was time to finally get out of this abyss.

Chapter 14

Noora

Her head rose and fell with every breath he took, soft goosebumps covering her skin as his hand drove through the strands of her hair. Their legs were tangled, intertwined so thoroughly she didn’t know where she started and he ended.

“I’m glad you came,” Lukas murmured against her temple, pressing a small kiss there.

Noora didn’t say anything, not ready to reveal her thoughts. She knew it was a bad idea to come back to the barn. She knew she should not forgive Lukas for the things he said but she craved more the loving touch of someone, than the loneliness that would come if she did the right thing.

She tried not to glance over to the broken window, or the discarded stool Kai sat upon, only a few days ago. Noora had told Lukas that she had to flee from a pack of wolves and therefore break through the window, explaining the dried drops of blood on the ground.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” he murmured, his lips dragging along her cheek, placing soft little kisses against her skin.

His hand slipped from her hair and onto her neck, his other arm enclosing her safely. She tilted her head giving him more access, a soft sigh leaving her lips as he found the right spot.

She pushed at his chest until he lay flat on the ground, with her straddling his hips. Her hair fell in a white curtain around them, shielding them from any danger.

Their lips met in a feverish kiss, full of teeth and tongue, she nipped at his bottom lip until she could taste his blood. His hands tightened on her hips moving her body slowly, torturously against his.

She let go of his lips and let her hands travel over his tan skin, the tight muscles of his abdomen flexing under her touch as she kissed a trail down his neck.

Lukas ground beneath her, tilting his hips to meet her better, she pushed his hands off of her, to go in her own rhythm.

“Don’t. Move.”

Lukas looked at her, surprised, his eyes narrowing slightly but when she tilted her hips the right way he let her do it.

Their lips met again and again, tongues dancing hungrily as the heat built up inside her.

She did not care to make it good for him today. It was about her.

She arched her back slightly, growing hotter and hotter, her hair falling over her back and sticking to her skin.

“Just like that,” Lukas groaned and Noora quickly put a hand on his mouth. “Don’t talk.”

Before he could protest she gave him the satisfaction of kissing him again.

Suddenly his body grew different beneath hers. He was less bulky and more lithe, his skin pale. His short-cropped hair turned to long strands under her grip, and the tight coil inside her grew intensely.

Noora closed her eyes to enhance the picture she had beneath her, driving herself closer to the edge with every movement.

“Fuck, yes.”

She ground against him faster and harder until she burst around him, her thighs shaking with the enormous force that stuck its talons into her, making her dizzy.

She felt him shudder beneath her and she rolled off him, laying on her back. Not opening her eyes. Rather she let them stay closed, bathing in the feeling of after, soft waves still crashing in her abdomen. A heavy arm spread over her stomach and soft snores reached her ears a moment later.

She let herself calm down, her skin slick with sweat as she finally opened her eyes to look at Lukas. He was fast asleep and she knew he would stay in that state for a few hours.

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