Page 101 of The Dark Mage
Miguel cheered, and the group raised their glasses in salute.Ren’wyn lifted her own—one of Esrin’s favorite hoppy beers, passed to her by Leta—and took a sip.Zev acknowledged her gesture with a polite nod before folding his long, graceful limbs to sit beside Esrin.Ren’wyn stifled a giggle as he fidgeted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the informality of the position.
Fael’s hand rested sweetly on her hip, his fingers brushing lightly against her outer thigh.The warmth of his body provided a comforting counterpoint to the cracklingfire.
This strange assortment of people had all found purpose, second chances, or redemption here.Esrin had created that for them.Ren’wyn felt herself beginning to belong, and she loved Esrin for what he had done.He might be arrogant and pompous, brushing off any notion of vulnerability, but he was a good man, and this group was proof of it.
Sorya brought out her fiddle, and Relya joined with a small whistle, the lively music weaving through the night as the group drank and shared stories of adventure, happiness, and sorrow.Nestled in Fael’s arms as the evening grew cooler, with a gentle breeze tickling their skin, Ren’wyn closed her eyes in contentment.The music, the conversation, and the laughter surrounded her like a warm cocoon—a world she had never imagined herself inhabiting.
As her fatigue deepened, she leaned more heavily against Fael’sside.
“Come on,” he whispered in her ear, his voice warm and slow.“You’re tired.Let’s go tobed.”
She looked up into his eyes, which danced beautifully in the firelight.Fael stood, steadying her as she rose.Wilenrut whistled teasingly when her chest brushed against Fael’s, and she blushed a shade surely visible in the glow of the flames.Wilenrut cast a quick glance at Esrin, slightly embarrassed, but Esrin didn’t look up from the fire.Keeping her hand in Fael’s, Ren’wyn followed him out of the firelight.
At the tent, Fael pulled back the flap with a playful smirk.“Don’t get any ideas.I’m not going to bed you tonight.”
She turned sharply, her face flushing red again.Fael stepped closer, the heat of his body washing over her, making her question his words.
“You aren’t going to sleep in your clothes, are you?”he murmured, his gaze heavy with promise.The way he looked at her—like he could already see every inch of her—left her breathless.He touched her shoulders, his fingers gliding down her arms before settling on her hips.“Do you need somehelp?”
She nodded before she could second-guess herself.
Fael’s hands moved to the laces of her bodice, untying them with careful ease, pulling them loose.He slid the dress down her arms and over her hips in a fluid motion, letting it pool at her feet.Clad in only her boned bodice and undergarments, his gaze lingered, a phantom weight on herskin.
“Turn around,” he whispered.
She obeyed.
His hands moved like a prayer across her back, loosening the ties of her bodice, peeling away the last barriers between them.The cool air of the tent brushed her skin, and she shivered—until Fael pressed himself against her back, his arms wrapping firmly around her waist, trailing upward across her chest.
“Let’s get you in bed,” he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of herear.
Ren’wyn snatched her nightgown from the small stand, stepping out of his embrace to slip it on.Behind her, Fael made a low sound of appreciation as he watched.When she turned, his voice was electric.
“I feel like I should remind you how unbelievable you are,” he said huskily.“So gorgeous, Ren’wyn.Every inch of you is luscious and soft and beautiful.”
She didn’t know how to respond, so she simply smiled and lowered her lashes in silent gratitude.Fael cupped her chin, tilting her face up as his lips claimed hers in an unrelenting kiss.With exquisite care, he lifted her into his arms, his hands firm under her shoulders and knees, and laid her down on his bedroll.
He pulled off his shirt and pants, sprawling besideher.
“Sleep well, Ren’wyn,” he whispered, pressing soft kisses to her eyelids and forehead, rubbing slow circles on her back until she drifted into the embrace of sleep.
28
Fael’s voice was warm in her ear as the morning light filtered into thetent.
“Do you know it’s exquisite, perfect torture to wake up next to you and not be able to haveyou?”
Ren’wyn laughed, leaning into him.He huffed a heavy breath against her neck, the warmth sending a shiver down her spine.
“Ren’wyn,” Fael murmured, his voice a mix of plea and warning.She didn’t trust herself to stop if they started, so she pulled out of his grip.The blanket slipped to her waist, her nightgown falling just low enough to leave her breasts half-covered in the golden light.
“That’s no better,” he groaned, eyes fixed onher.
When he reached for her, pleasure rippled through her like fire.Fael sighed in frustration and leaned in closer.“Shall we see how quiet you can be, my lady?”he teased, his voice rich with mischief.
Ren’wyn rolled swiftly off the mat, snatching clean undergarments from her trunk and tugging them on while Fael protested loudly.
“Help me with my bodice,” she said, holding itout.
