Page 49 of A Spell of Bones and Madness
“That it should,” Leighton replied. “So why do you seem so melancholy about it?”
“I just returned and already we are plotting our next course into danger. There is so much I wanted to do—for my people, for this great city to thrive—and now I must leave again.”
Leighton halted for a moment, reaching his hand out and placing it on Ander’s shoulder. “You don’t need to leave, brother. Maybe it is time someone else bore the weight of Odessia.”
Sighing, Ander shook his head. “You and I both know that isn’t possible. If it wasn’t me it would beher. I can’t let that happen.”
“Katrin would destroy kingdoms for you. She is not a delicate thing. Look what she did to rescue you, what she risked to return to Alentus.”
“I know, Leighton, trust me, I do. But does that mean I should ask her to risk her life again?” He couldn’t. In no reality would he put his own life above hers.
“You would never have to ask, she just would. For you. For her sister. We all would.”
Deep-set emerald eyes stared back at Ander, sunken with purple bags beneath—another person Ander did not want to risk the lifeof. Especially not traveling to Cyther. But he needed Leighton with him, needed his second, the only person he trusted to leave if things began to turn for the worst. A steadfast naurach who could know when it was time to retreat. When it was time to rally the forces. When it was time to let him go.
How had someone so broken as him deserved such steadfast friends? An unwavering loyalty?
“Thank you,” Ander whispered, the guilt of the coming days crowding his mind.
“For what?” Leighton asked.
“All of it.”
Blood was splattered over Ander’s linen shirt, sweat clinging to his skin despite the chill that the cusp of winter brought with it. Steam radiated up from the tiled bath in front of him. Lemon and olive oil bubbles floated on the surface of the water, clearing to the sides as he dropped his clothes on the floor and sunk into the much needed reprieve.
Fishing was a passion, one that eased his nerves and the ever growing voices in his mind, but it did nothing for the distinct smell it left clinging to his hair and his clothes—especially after fileting the creature and many smaller catches. Katrin had only turned up her nose and pointed at the bathing chamber when he’d entered his room, barely shifting her eyes away from the book she was reading,curled under a blanket, a crystal goblet of red wine and a plate of grapes and cheese on the small table beside her.
Gods, she was magnificent—even there with her hair pinned up in a messy braid, wisps of chocolate locks protruding out, wearing only a silky chemise. He hoped there was nothing else beneath the blanket. But it wasn’t the barely there navy silk that caught his eye the most, it was the pinch between her brows and small tip up of her lips as she thumbed at a rapid pace through the book. He knew that book and well—knew what lay within the crimson and black bound pages. Ander wondered what part she was at, if she would want to experience those particular things with him.
Inhaling the steam, Ander sunk his body under the water, letting it cocoon him in a peaceful embrace. His body heated and stiffened at the thoughts now filling his mind. Soft skin brushing against him, sultry whispers in his ear, tiny moans of pleasure. Fisting his shaft, Ander took long strokes, imagining what it might feel like to have Katrin’s lips around him—how her tongue might graze along his tip, tasting him for herself.
“If you wanted me to straddle you, you could have just asked,” a soft voice danced across the bathing chamber. Ander’s eyes flew open and he turned his head to the doorway and his gaze met Katrin’s—those wicked ruby lips curved up, a feral flickering in her eyes, barely there panties covering places he wanted to devour.
“And what would you do—if I asked you?”
Katrin turned, shimmying off the tiny navy chemise before turning her head over her shoulder. “I guess you’ll just have to find out.” Gods—she would be the death of him, but an exquisite death it would be.
Ander could not get out of the bath fast enough.
“You are a wicked little thing, aren’t you, Starling?” he purred, not even bothering to wrap a towel around himself.
It only took three strides and five seconds to make it to where she retreated from the bathing chamber, but the sway of her body as she walked away from him made those five seconds the sweetest he had ever known.
He caught up to her, sliding one hand under her top, along the bare skin of her stomach. The other fisted around her throat, pulling her back until she was firmly against him.
“Tell me, Starling, which chapter would you like to reenact first?”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Katrin
Emboldened. At peace. A string of emotions swirled in her chest as Katrin padded back toward the bedchamber, an extra swing in her hips. With every turn of the page of that wickedly entrancing book, she thought of all the experiences she wanted to have, the boundaries she wanted to push, the control she wanted to harness then lose. Finally—finally ready to bare that part of her body and soul to another. To him. What Katrin didn’t expect were the thick arms that scooped her up around the waist, muscles still dripping in trickles of bath water and soapy bubbles, flinging her over his shoulder.
An airy laugh escaped her lips—one so pure and unburdened, she almost thought it was not her own. Her stare was met by a rigidback, threaded scars much like her own scattered about, solidifying a bond that was so much greater than just lust or romance. Their pasts entwined, their souls were one, two halves of the same coin. Fated, in this life and every life to come. “Put me down this instant, Ander!” she shouted, albeit lightheartedly, pounding her fists against his back. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to be put down, not with that rock hard ass she had full viewing of.
“Not yet, Starling, I’m quite enjoying watching you squirm.” Ander’s rough hand trailed up her thigh, working its way to where slick heat already built between her legs. A small moan puffed out of her mouth and he lay her down on the bed. Her lips parted slightly, inviting him to explore every trace of her, melting into his body as his tongue swept against hers. Slowly Ander made his way from her lips to her ear, finding the sensitive spot on her neck that sent fire coursing through her veins.
One hand fisted her hair as the other stroked small circles over her peaked nipples. Katrin clenched her legs tighter against Ander’s sides, needing to be closer, to feel his weight pressing down on her. His lips began to travel from her neck, planting lazy kisses down her collar bones, moving lower until his mouth replaced his thumb on her breast, swirling his tongue around, biting gently at the peaked nub. With every swipe of Ander’s tongue, Katrin grew wetter between her thighs. Small moans fell from her mouth and Ander gripped her ass harder. “You like that, Starling? Letting go?” he whispered against her skin, the warm air tingling.
