Page 111 of The Dark Mage
His touch traveled lightly to her neck, and goosebumps followed in its wake.He leaned closer, his warm breath tracing the line of her jaw as his hands slipped gently around her waist.
“Ren’wyn,” Fael whispered, his voice barely audible against her cheek.“You’re amazing, and I...I loveyou.”
Ren’wyn had never heard the earth sigh before, never felt the rush of a thousand kisses in a summer breeze, not until that moment.As Fael whispered those words, the strange twining of their magic tugged under her skin, a mix of fire and ice coursing through her veins.Time seemed to slow, the world holding its breath, waiting for her response.
She pressed the thrum of her magic toward him, letting it flow through the connection they shared.Fael’s body tensed in her arms, and he gasped heavily, like he was breathing for the first time.Brown curls brushed against her neck as his lips found her shoulder.
“I love you too, Fael,” she sighed, gripping the back of his tunic as their magic threaded together, tiny flickers of fire and curling wisps of shadow dancing over her bare forearms.
His smile lingered warmly as he kissed her collarbone, his hand bracing lightly against her thigh.
“Fael,” she groaned.“Don’t tease me.”
“That doesn’t sound in the least bit like a request I want to follow,” he rumbled, his voice full of mischief.
She wrapped her arms around his back as he leaned down, his lips tracing her shoulders and neck.Gasping and shuddering, she pressed a kiss to the top of his head, her fingers curling into the soft, glossy brown strands of his hair.Through the waves, she glimpsed the swirls of his imperial tattoos.She kissed his head again, breathing him in.
His mouth found hers once more, and he gently lowered her onto the soft ground of the small clearing.Holding her securely in the circle of his arms, his tongue teased at her lips.She opened for him, responding with fervor as their lips and tongues tangled passionately.
“Ren’wyn,” Fael said roughly.“Every part of me aches foryou.”
His hands traveled slowly down her sides, stopping at her hips, where he tilted her gently towardhim.
“I think I know how to fix that,” she whispered, her voice husky as his hands slid back to tighten on her waist.
Fael’s fingers moved deftly to the bodice of her dress, untying it as their magic surged between them.Smoke and fire, shadow and heat mingled and broke over the ferns.They found release, one after the other, clinging to each other with hands, lips, and skin.Afterward, as their breathing slowed, they stayed entwined, their faces close as Fael caressed her cheek, both overwhelmed by their shared happiness.
When they returned to camp, they could hardly let each other go, their touches lingering with every step.But Ren’wyn eventually parted from Fael to check on Lia, finding her in the tent with Avonlee.
“I wanted to ask something in private,” Ren’wyn said carefully.“Lia, have you bled since your captivity?”
Lia shook her head.“No, not yet.I’m not expecting it for another week, though.I’ve been taking a contraceptive.Esrin made sure we all knew how to make it.”
Ren’wyn sighed with relief, tension melting from her shoulders.
“Good,” she replied.“Will you let me know?I want to make sure you’re taken care of properly.”
Lia’s eyes shone with tears.“Thanks, Ren’wyn.Yes, I’ll let youknow.”
Ren’wyn turned to Avonlee, who sat close beside Lia.“Avonlee, make sure you’re getting some rest too.If you need anything to help with sleep or nerves, I know a few different herbs that might help—each with varying effects and side effects.”
The two women exchanged a glance, then looked back at Ren’wyn, their faces soft with gratitude.
“Thank you,” Avonlee said quietly.
Ren’wyn left the tent, glancing back as Avonlee curled onto the cot beside Lia, resting her head in the crook of Lia’s shoulder.They had found something precious, Ren’wyn realized.She knew very little of either of their stories, but it was clear they were healing together.Hope for their future ached within her.Nothing could be better than for their shared love to chase away the shadows left by the cruelties they had endured.
The sounds of sparring drifted from the clearing on the other side of camp, but Fael was nowhere in sight.Ren’wyn wandered to the fire, where Esrin sat with a mug of tea, stirring the coals with a stick.She took a seat besidehim.
“You showed the women how to make contraceptives?”she asked, breaking the quiet.
Esrin grinned.“Hello to you, too, Ren’wyn,” he teased.“Yes.Sorya and Relya picked it up easily, but Lia and Avonlee… well, they were raised in places where no one taught them about contraceptives.They deserve to have that choice for themselves.”
Once again, Ren’wyn felt a swell of pride for Esrin’s quiet goodness.She wished she could get him to Ishvaen and Rena, wished she could undo the loss of his father.Esrin would make an excellent governor, and she silently vowed to help make that happen oneday.
“Thank you,” she said, bumping his shoulder lightly.“You’re a good man, Esrin, and we’re lucky to haveyou.”
A short silence followed as he sipped his tea and stirred the glowing coals.
