Page 14 of Artemysia
The romantic tension breaks.
Upon seeing the other fully, they are forced to confront the truth of their passion and are unable to disguise their love for each other.
Their love is a devastating force that ripples across the universe.
Tremendous tides overwhelm the shores, creatures of the night succumb to madness, and lovers across the lands can no longer resist each other, giving themselves over to their most primal of needs.
Two full moons mean trouble—for your heart.
For some irritating reason, my encounter with Riev invades my mind again. Shaking it off, I peel my eyes away from the starry night sky and turn past a jeweler’s shop. The window displays are empty at night, the gems stored away from thieves.
Throg will worry about me if I’m out too late, though after an evening of drinking, he’s probably found someone else’s bedroom for the night. Maybe with my promotion, I’ll get my own room. Not thatI don’t like bunking with Throg. He’s been a great roommate, but he snores, and in the winter the clock tower gets too cold to sneak away to for the entire night.
The door creaks as I creep in, quiet and casual.
If he’s here, I’m hoping he has passed out. But there’s a candlelight lamp flickering golden light on the walls, and Throg is shirtless, lying sideways in his bed. He’s reading, chin propped on one large fist.
“Our little captain is growing up. Hooking up with strangers in the alleyway behind the Ghost Elk and all.” He twirls a blonde lock with one finger, mocking girly gossip.
“Shut your face. It wasn’t like that. He was an injured messenger.”
“Lookedexactlylike that to me. Why are you ashamed? Riev’s hot. Body like a Syf, lithe and graceful.” Throg hums low in his throat, as if picturing Riev’s muscles in his head. “You know, that kind of quiet confidence usually comes with a big cock.”
“What the hell, Throg—”
“Let go a little. Never letting go isn’t good for you.” His straight teeth gleam even in the dim light of our dorm room. “And…it’s a guaranteed one-night thing. If he’s a messenger, then in all likelihood you won’t see him again.”
“I’m not like you. I’m not ruled by my urges,” I argue. Normally, this would be true. But tonight, I was on the brink of losing control, and if Owlfred hadn’t screamed judgment at us…
I start to peel off my clothes to change into a robe.
Throg snorts. “You have needs. My own needs were met tonight, in the tavern bathroom. Twice.”
My face screws into a grimace. “The important thing is that you chose themostromantic setting. Don’t tell me who. I’m not supposed to condone these activities between squad members.”
“She was new. But he was not. Itwasromantic,” he insists, his sapphire-blue eyes rounded in an exaggerated expression of innocence and sincerity.
“I’m going to go shower off that information now.”
He exaggerates a sniff. “You should. His scent is on you, Elphie,” he says, using my childhood nickname that he discovered after meeting my father years ago.
Heat rises into my cheeks, giving me away. “Oh for crying out loud,Throg! We need to find a better use for your supernatural sense of smell. You’re a fighting, talking bloodhound.”
“It runs in the family. It’s weird, but you know I can’t turn it off.”
“Yes, I’ve met your six brothers. Hound dogs, all of you. In all ways.” I chuckle, gathering a towel for the shower.
His bed creaks when he rolls over and tucks himself into the thick quilt.
“You gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find the right frog.”
“I don’t think that’s the saying,” I mutter. “You’re…looking for love, though?”
“Of course.”
“Now? Our jobs are too dangerous for—”
“Love isn’t a weakness,” he says.
