Page 61 of Smoke and Moon

When she finally was still, and only minor quakes were happening, she felt him slip out of her.

She felt weak, and her breathing was labored as she leaned back to look up at him.Her position placed her almost eye-level with him.She wasn’t sure what she would say...‘thank you,’ or perhaps ‘that was amazing.’Whichever it was, her mind went blank as she saw him bring his shiny, cream-coated hand toward his mouth.

As she stared at him, he opened his mouth and showed her the cerulean flame hovering on the tip of his tongue.

Kai gasped.Not from fear, but awe.Seeing the flame brought back memories of what Aodh could do with it and the extraordinary way it felt on her skin.

A sizzling sound filled the office as he glided the flame up and around his hand.

Aodh’s dexterous tongue guided the tiny fire over his skin to consume her essence.Transfixed by the sight, she squeezed her fists tight around the material of his vest and attempted to keep her rising desire in check.

Finally, he slipped his fingers into his mouth and cleaned them.When he removed them, a trail of smoke came out and encircled them in his scent of roasted-cinnamon with a hint of her.

She leaned in and kissed him but pulled back before she got carried away again.

“Better, mate?”

A broken laugh came out as she shook her head.“I’d ask you the same thing, but I can feel you’re not.”She shifted against his hard cock.

“My satisfaction can wait.”He shrugged a shoulder.

“I should go.You have people waiting for you.”She started up.

He pressed a hand to her thigh.“You come first to me.Always remember.”

It filled her heart to hear his words.“Thank you.But I don’t want to be selfish.And I’ll see you later.”She got up fast before he could stop her.

“How was Morlie?”

She smacked a palm against her forehead.How could she forget her sister?On the other side of the desk, she faced him.“She is well but not at all like herself.”

“In what way?”Aodh still sat behind his desk, not appearing in a hurry at all to get downstairs.

She shook her head.“Not sure.One thing I know is she feels cooped up.”Meeting his gaze, she asked, “Can you drop the guards?Morlie is feeling a bit like a prisoner.”

“The guards were not meant to hold her in, Kai.”Aodh folded his hands on his desk.

“I told her this.”She rested a hip on his desk.“If you drop the guards, will my sister be in danger of the wolf coming?”

“Doubtful, but you never know.”He reached across the desk and took hold of her hand.“I’ve already doubled the western border patrols.If he attempts to cross, he’ll be spotted and apprehended.I’ll remove the personal guards on her.”

Kai exhaled and glanced down toward the desktop.This situation was something she didn’t want to deal with, but this was part of the world they lived in.She felt bad that so many security members had to work extra shifts on account of her and Morlie, even if their boss compensated them.

What would have happened if I allowed Morlie to leave with him at the council meeting?She glanced up at Aodh.She knew he could read her thoughts, and she forced herself not to formulate a clear thought about the secret she held back from Aodh.However, the guilt flooded her conscience and caused a weight to settle in her stomach.

Still holding her hand, Aodh rose.“Life can’t be built on top of what ifs, mate.”

“I know.I want the best for my sister.However, as Morlie told me, I can’t smother her and call it protection.”

He brushed a thumb over the back of her hand.“It’s hard.I don’t worry about Liekki, but Eilidh is my little sister, and even though as a Drahkelle, she could stomp or burn to cinder most things that come her way, it’s hard for me not to build a wall around her so nothing touches her.”

She smiled, appreciating his words.Inhaling, she knew she needed to reveal the truth to Aodh.

“Mate?What has your mind and emotions in turmoil?”He rounded the desk and pulled her close, but not into his arms.

Just say it, she ordered herself.“I lied to you, Aodh.”

He curled a finger of his free hand beneath her chin and lifted her face until they looked directly at each other.Aodh didn’t ask any questions or say anything.He waited for her to continue.

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