Page 79 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
He blinks. He shakes his head slightly, then pauses.
I should just go over there and kiss him anyway. I know he wants me to.
Before I can move, though, Kalle bounds over and holds my face with both of his hands, bringing his lips to mine.
And he kisses me.
He kisses me like he’s giving me something rather than like he wants something from me. I’m turning it around, demanding that he take what I have. I lace my fingers in his hair and tug him closer.
Kalle groans, and when his lips part, my tongue dives inside his mouth to meet his.
Damn, he tastes good. Like my favorite mint.
And little prickles of sensation are sweeping through my body. I don’t remember any kisses other than this one. It’s not like when the fae stole my memory, it’s that this kiss is overriding everything else. I’m a field covered in snow, and thiskiss is a path that no one has walked on yet. Even without my stolen memory, I know this is the best kiss of my life.
A tinge of sadness comes over me with the thought that Kalle might be doing this only to get back his ability.
Seeming to read my mind, he pulls back just far enough to speak. “I’d be kissing you regardless,” he says against my lips and in between more kisses. “I’ve been wanting to do that for days now. Don’t think I’m only kissing you because of the spell. You’ve cast a better one on me, and I never want to break it.”
His words loosen my shoulders but increase my need. “I’ve had the biggest crush on you,” I admit.
“Same.”
“I want to do so much more than kiss you.” I take a risk and grab his butt.
He smiles into my lips as his hardening dick ruts against my hip. “Same, same.”
“But we need to see if it worked,” I remind him.
He pulls back and pouts. It’s amusing to me that a grown man—who not ten minutes ago was bemoaning his inability to use his most unique gift—is now pained at having to test it to see if it’s back.
Kalle kisses me again. Deeply. Then he kisses my nose. “Hold that thought. Let me find Hazel.”
He starts off, but then stops and holds out his hand. I take it, and we walk swiftly through the open door to the hallway, where Hazel and Martin have been waiting.
“Hazel? Martin?” Kalle says, his posture nervous.
Their eyes widen. “Prince Kalle!”
They bound over to him, Hazel rubbing against his knees and Martin gently butting his hip. “Hey, buddy,” Kalle says. “Careful with the rack.”
“I’m just happy that you can understand us again,” Martin says.
Wait, what?
“Iunderstoodthat,” I say.
Kalle whips his face to me, as do both Hazel and Martin.
“You did?” Kalle asks.
“Yeah. Do you understand me, Hazel?” I ask.
“Justice,” she says, her fox voice soft and gentle.
“Firecats,” I whisper, and sit down hard on the stone floor. “I can talk to animals now.”
“How did that happen?” Kalle asks.
