“I’ll stay beside you anyway.” A mix of nerves and excitement flared in my belly—the feelings that came with a new relationship. “We’re cellmates, remember? Partners in crime.”
“We are.” As he leaned in closer, his breath whispered over my lips. “And hopefully more than that.”
“Why, my dear knight.” I wove our fingers together. “Are you flirting with me?”
“What if I am?” Callum brushed the tip of his nose across mine. “What would you do, milord?”
I kissed him.
He made a small sound in his throat and practically melted. Hell, I melted too.
Actions spoke louder than words, and I wanted Callum tofeelmy love. Not just have it spoken into the ether. I had loved him as a friend for nearly a year, and that love had only strengthened, turning into something that made me breathless. Something that was scary and amazing at the same time. A connection that went beyond my understanding.
“Ev.” He grabbed the back of my head. “I… gods. I need more.”
His lips crashed against mine again, and he tugged me closer. Close enough for me to feel the heavy pounding of his heart. Fire burned through my bloodstream, causing tiny explosions everywhere our bodies touched.
And histaste. Holy hell, kissing Callum was like savoring a decadent dessert. Sweet and addictive. And hoping it never ended.
Unfortunately, it did end. Much sooner than either of us wanted.
The pressure of his mouth lightened before he slowly sank back to the pillow, eyes fighting to stay open. The medicine had taken effect, making him sluggish.
“Go to sleep, you silly man,” I said, a bit breathless and turned the fuck on but also finding him so damn cute I could barely stand it. “Briar said your body will heal the more you rest.”
“N-No.” He touched my cheek, and his hand slowly fell away, his body losing strength. “I don’t want… to…”
A second later, he was out like a light.
Smiling, I traced the line of his jaw before doing the same to his lips.
Lupin had said every decision, no matter how small, had the power to alter my future. As I breathed in Callum’s scent and felt his warm body against mine, I thanked the gods for whatever decision had led me to him.
Chapter Sixteen
The Sun, the Moon, and All the Swoon
Hushed whispers slowly pulled me from sleep. Eyes closed and mind groggy, I tried to make sense of the voices. Sounded like a group of women.
“Oh, he’s waking up.”
“Give him room to breathe, Penny. You’ll startle him.”
“Startle him with my beauty.”
Confused, I cracked open one eye, then the other. Callum slept beside me, his chest rising and falling steadily. He had one arm around my waist, holding me against his side. But we weren’t alone in the room. My skin tingled as I became all too aware of someone close behind me. I peeked over my shoulder and nearly shot off the cot.
The girl was inches from my face.
“Well, aren’t you just the cutest thing ever?” She was familiar somehow. Brunette, with an oval-shaped face. “A head of golden hair and eyes like emeralds. No wonder Callum is so smitten.”
Her identity then clicked into place. She was the girl I’d seen Callum with outside the Guild Hall.
“Penny,” an older woman chided her. “You’re too close to him.”
“Not close enough, I’d say.” Penny beamed at me. “He has freckles too. My heart could burst.”
“Penelope Ann Galliard.”
