Page 135 of Savage Crown

She lets out a tired laugh, and gods, it’s a beautiful sound.

I tilt her chin up, running my fingers along her jaw.

She watches me, eyes half-lidded, lips slightly parted.

I should let her rest.

But I can’t stop myself from kissing her.

It’s slow. Lingering.

A stolen moment before the war we’re about to walk into.

She sighs into me, fingers sliding into my hair, tugging me closer.

I groan softly, shifting until she’s pinned beneath me, my weight careful, mindful of her injuries.

Her breath catches as I trail my lips down her throat, as I trace the inked lines on her skin with my fingertips.

She shudders beneath me.

"Rylan," she whispers.

I rest my forehead against hers.

I don’t know what this is.

I never loved anyone.

What will I become with her?

I tilt her chin up, kissing her deeply, slow and consuming.

She melts into me.

And for one night, I let myself forget everything else.

By nightfall, we leave.

Seraphina moves slower than usual, but she’s stronger than before.

Vael leads the way, his expression grim.

We take the hidden route, the one Seraphina never wanted anyone else to know.

But it doesn’t matter.

We don’t make it far because they were waiting.

Shadows shift along the cavern walls.

Figures step into the path, blocking our exit.

I hear Seraphina curse under her breath.

Vael tenses beside me.

"Well, well," Lartina purrs, stepping into the dim torchlight.

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