Page 103 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
I want to.
But I’m not certain if I can touch him without causing him pain. “I’ll hurt you.”
He leans forward, his eyes immediately grow heavy lidded. “You won’t.”
I stare at him, desire flaring in my chest.
His body is shielding me from the sprinkler directly above us. The droplets that manage to trickle down my skin create goosebumps everywhere.
I lift a trembling hand and touch his face. He’s clean shaven for my Nameday celebration yesterday. I find myself longing for some stubble.
My fingertips trail down to the column of his throat and he shivers a little. I don’t care where I’m touching, as long as I make sure he’s alive.
These little reactions from him are proof. I place my hand over his chest, right above his beating heart.
He’s alive. He’s alive. He’s alive.
And he’s here with me.
My hand smooths over the hard ridges of his chest and I feel the fading tension from his body. He’s giving up his pain and anger, giving them up for something else. “Go on. Don’t stop.”
The moment my fingers graze the muscle on his lower abdomen, he sucks in a breath. His forehead drops into my shoulder.
“Remember what I told you when we first started training together?” he whispers close to my ear.
Yes, I remember it.
He told me our proximity during training will cease his flinching over my presence.
“See? I told you. Therapy works,” he attempts a jest.
I don’t laugh, but I keep looking into his eyes. “I’m sorry for what Lilith and her heirs put you through. I’m sorry for what was done to you, Svenn.”
The sadness in his eyes doesn’t make me feel any better. In this moment of vulnerability, he seems almost human.
“It’s not your fault, Nel,” he says softly, looking into my eyes. My heart rate ratchets up underneath his gaze.
Before I can stop myself, my hand reaches down lower, wrapping my fingers around the hard length of him.
Oh gods.
What am I doing?
This stupid, stupid, freaking bond.
Way to ruin the precious moment between Svenn and me. Thank you.
Svenn isn’t angry or surprised. He merely arches a brow at the bold gesture.
My cheeks scorch and I let him go quickly.
“It’s the bond,” he says before I can say anything else. “It’s all right. I understand.”
Yes, it’s the bond but it makes me sad how resigned he sounds.
We’re mates, Svenn.I almost tell him. Whatever that means. But I think my feelings for him go beyond that. I’m tired of pushing him away. With one long exhale, I cast away my uncertainty and doubt.
No more hesitating.
