Page 64 of Knightfall
Come here, Dove.
Quinn pulled me onto his lap. He stroked my back gently. Stroked my arms.
What are you doing here?
I heard you crying.
But—how?
Hopped on a pegasus.
I nodded and snuggled further into his chest. He rocked me back and forth.
He left me. I know I deserve it. But he left—
I’m here, Dove. I’m not going to leave you.Quinn chafed warmth back into my hands. He gave me gentle, chaste kisses all along my forehead and cheeks.Shh. Shh. It’s alright.
Is this what it felt like? I’m a monster. I swear, I didn’t—
Dove, you didn’t leave us naked in the middle of the room.
But, Connor—
Will come around. Hush.
He rocked me. Then stopped.Look, Dove.
He pointed toward the bed. From under it, out hopped a bunny. Then a deer seemed to stand from behind the bed. Birds fluttered down from the flower-patterned canopy.
What? How?
The animals came closer. The bunny snuggled his head under my hand. I swear, I could feel him—the soft feathery texture of his grey fur on my fingertips.
I turned to Quinn.You’re making me hallucinate again?
Hallucinate. I would call it more ‘an enchanted state.’ Sounds better.
I rolled my eyes.
What? I thought princesses loved woodland creatures. No? Would you prefer—the creatures disappeared. Instead, they were replaced by flaming salamanders running up and down the walls.
You shite!I gave a broken laugh and leaned into Quinn. I pressed my nose against him.
Too much?he asked.
No. You’re perfect.And then I closed the tiny gap between us. And I kissed him. In real life. I ignored the fact that I’d been naked for another man, that tear tracks still streaked my face, that my eyes were probably puffy and swollen. All I thought about was how much I was falling for Quinn.
The kiss was sweet and pure. And it seemed to wash away the insecurities I’d just felt.
I pressed my tongue toward his lips and he parted them. I leaned further into him, pressing my body against his, taking his black hair in my hands. One of my hands slid along his pointed elf ear and he shuddered.
Like that?
Love it.
I stroked the edge of his ear again as our tongues danced and his fingers wandered down my spine to grab my ass. He pulled me even tighter against him.
Just then, the bedroom door swung open and Ryan entered with a carafe of wine and two glasses in his hands. “I hope you’re ready for—what the hell?”
