Page 88 of Emerald Flame
Kiara lay exhausted and full of so much feel-good she couldn’t even move.
She let out a long, deep sigh of contentment.
But Warren remained stiff-armed above her, blinking with both eyes now fully opened. The scars on the side of his head were faint silvery lines nothing more.
When he looked at her, he glanced down at her chest. “They’re almost gone.”
She looked at the places where her torturer had laid lines of paste that had eaten through her skin. She lifted a hand and touched what remained. “Does it form a pattern?”
He smiled. “The faintest wolf’s head and I’m not kidding.”
She thought he had to be joking or at least seeing what he wanted to see. He was a bit prejudiced after all. But she didn’t care. She met his gaze. “You look amazing. I wonder if your hair will grow back on this side of your head. Though, I have to say I’ve always loved the way this looks. Your tattoos, everything.”
When he started to pull out, she told him to wait then quickly reached for the washcloth.
“Good idea,” he said. “Given what just happened, this is going to be a flood.”
“You kept releasing, didn’t you?”
He shook his head in wonder as he tucked the washcloth between her legs. “I did. It was incredible.”
When he gained his feet, she lifted up on her elbows just to look at him. She sighed gustily.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re gorgeous. My eyes hurt looking at you.”
He grinned. “Well, that feeling is damn mutual.” He leaned down and kissed her. When he rose up, he looked around. “With the way we create a storm between us, I’m always surprised the room isn’t whipped to shreds. But nothing is out of place.”
She watched him head slowly to the bathroom, allowing herself a moment to savor his strong, physical body. When he disappeared within, she closed her eyes intending to doze a little until he got back.
Instead, she fell into a profound sleep.
Later, she awoke to an odd pressure on her arm, but she didn’t want to wake up. She was incredibly tired. The previous night had been a trial, of working with Warren to keep Julio and Glissane from taking over Savage, as well as the healing efforts that followed. Her reserves were depleted.
But the odd pressure continued.
Blinking slowly, she forced herself to wake up. “Warren?” She spoke his name on a hoarse whisper.
Try not to wake him up, Kiara. This is between you and me.
She leaned up on her elbow and squinted into the dark. Wavy, light gray smoke floated in the air near her. She was so tired and her head felt fuzzy.
You’re confused.
She switched to telepathy as well.Yes.
Let me enhance my form.
The lines coalesced.Is that better?
She recognized the intruder and her heart constricted.Tonya? What are you doing here?She pulled the sheet up to her neck.
Tonya was still alive and still married to the man Kiara had just slept with. It all seemed so wrong despite Tonya’s dementia. She wondered once more how Warren had born his wife’s illness and suffering.
Tonya smiled, a wavering line of mist that gave her a ghoulish appearance.Don’t be embarrassed. Warren has needs I can’t possibly fulfill. But there’s something you must know. If you stay with him, he will die.
A gasp left Kiara’s throat.What? How? I mean, how do you know this?
