Page 39 of Realms of Swords and Storms
"You don't know anything about me," she interrupted, but there was no heat in her words, only a weary resignation.
"I know enough." I stepped closer, close enough to catch the scent of her—soap and leather and something wild, like the wind through mountain pines. "I know you feel this too. I know yesterday wasn't a mistake, no matter what you say."
She didn't back away. "Feeling something doesn't make it right or possible."
"Why are you so determined to deny yourself happiness?" I asked softly.
A flash of genuine surprise crossed her face. "Happiness? Is that what you think this is about?"
"Isn't it? The way I see it, we're both surrounded by duty and obligation. Wouldn't it be nice to have something that's just for us? Something real?"
She stared at me for a long moment, and I could almost see the conflict in her eyes—desire warring with caution, longing with pragmatism. "You make it sound so simple."
"Maybe it could be." I took a chance, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. She didn't pull away. "We don't have to plan the rest of our lives, Livia. We could just... see where this goes. Enjoy what's between us now."
"And when it ends?" she asked quietly. "When reality reasserts itself?"
"Then at least we'll have had something true. Something that was ours."
Her expression softened further, vulnerability showing through the cracks in her carefully maintained facade. For a moment, I thought she might agree. Then she looked away, breaking the spell. "I can't afford distractions right now."
"Is that what I am? A distraction?"
A hint of a smile touched her lips. "A very persistent one."
I couldn't help but smile in return. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The warning bell rang, signalling five minutes until the next class period. Livia glanced toward the training yards. "I need to go."
"Meet me after classes," I said quickly. "Just to talk. That's all."
She hesitated, and I could see her weighing the risks, calculating the potential cost. "Just to talk," she repeated, as if confirming the terms.
"Unless you decide otherwise," I added with a slight smile.
That earned me a roll of her eyes, but there was no real annoyance in it. "You're incorrigible."
"Another compliment. I'm on a roll today."
She shook her head, but I could see the smile she was trying to suppress. "Fine. After combat training. I'll meet you by the eastern courtyard."
"I'll be there."
She turned to go, but on impulse, I reached for her hand, pulling her back toward me. Before she could protest, I drew her around the corner into a small alcove where the corridor branched, hidden from the main hallway.
"Jalend, what are you—"
I silenced her with a kiss, my lips finding hers with the certainty of a man who'd dreamed of nothing else for a day and a night. For a heartbeat, she stood frozen, then her books clattered to the floor as her arms came around my neck, her body pressing against mine with a hunger that matched my own.
Gods, she tasted even better than I remembered—sweet and fierce and intoxicating. I backed her against the wall, one hand tangling in her hair, the other at her waist, holding her to me as if she might vanish if I loosened my grip. Her hands weren't idle either, moving from my neck to my chest, fingers digging into the fabric of my uniform.
When I deepened the kiss, she made a small sound in the back of her throat that nearly undid me. I wanted to lift her against the wall, to feel her legs wrap around my waist, to lose myself in her completely. But even through the haze of desire, I knew we were in a public hallway, separated from discovery by nothing more than a turn in the corridor.
With tremendous effort, I broke the kiss, resting my forehead against hers as we both caught our breath. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, a flush spread across her cheeks.
"So much for 'just to talk,'" she murmured, her voice husky.
I laughed softly. "I never claimed to have much willpower where you're concerned."
