Page 89 of Kiss of Fire

“Not like that. I mean, I’ve done some stuff but not… I’m sorry. I hope it wasn’t too disappointing for you.”

He muttered an oath under his breath. Lifting her chin, he made her look at him.

“Please believe me when I say that what we shared was extremely pleasurable for me too. Your reaction was most… intense.” His blue gaze roamed over her flushed face. “And now you must sleep. The narcotic will make you fatigued as it leaves your system.”

Tiredness was already creeping over her. She moved closer to him, curling herself against his heat like a cat.

“Stay with me,” she murmured.

He ran his hand along her back, soothing her from neck to waist. She fought the drowsiness, wanting to talk to him, to keep their feeling of closeness as long as possible. She wanted to ask if he really thought she was beautiful. But the rhythmic stroking was soporific and before she knew it, her eyes were closing.

Shade tucked a stray curl behind Raya’s ear. He could still taste her. It had taken considerable willpower not to renege on his promise to abstain from sex. She would not have objected, not in the grip of her passion. And the thought of sliding into her, joining with her, left him weak.

But somehow, he hadn’t wanted to violate her trust. And now, discovering she was unknown to man, he was glad. Her first time should be with someone she cared about.

He realised he was still touching her hair and snatched his hand back with a sinking feeling. No. It was not possible.

He couldn’t be falling for her. Not this half-human waif who was counting the days till she could be free of him.

She asked you to stay just now. Only because she was still under the influence of the ambrosia berries. She was tired and emotional and she didn’t know what she was saying.

He would be a fool to read anything into it.

The Sylvan said she had feelings for you.

The Sylvan knew nothing. His expertise was animals and plants, not women.

He slid from the bed, his gaze lingering on her a second longer. Then he dove from the open window, suddenly needing to feel the cool night air on his face. He let himself fall, only unfurling his wings at the last possible second.

He couldn’t afford to have feelings for her. Not when she had made it so damn clear she wanted to leave the castle. She was here for one reason only; because they had made a deal.

Time to keep his end of it.

Thirty Two

It was still dusk on the other side of the Gate. The kobold had built herself a fire and was sitting close to it, puffing contentedly on her pipe. She raised an eyebrow as Shade alighted, his shadows briefly blocking out the sky.

“Gatekeeper.” He nodded courteously, trying to disguise his irritation with her latest headwear, a ridiculously large furry hat with a racoon tail hanging down the back.

“I was expecting to see you sooner, my Lord. Here, take a seat on that log. What’s the news on our halfling?”

“She has found her power. It was a little underwhelming at first, but she assures me it has improved.” He settled himself on a felled tree trunk and shaped his shadows into a sweater, on the slim chance a human happened by.

“Never mind that. How’s the fake betrothal going? Spill.”

Shade gritted his teeth.

“It is challenging. In the beginning I found her most aggravating. She did what she wanted and showed no respect for my orders.”

“How impertinent of her.” Magda rolled her eyes. “I’m sure being given orders is just what every girl wants from a man.”

“She agreed to the deal,” he said, stung. “And then she started making eyes at some Sylvan peasant.”

“Perhaps he’s nice to her. Haveyoutried that?”

Shade growled impatiently and a tree fifty yards away dumped its entire load of snow.

“Iamnice to her. We have reached an… an understanding. An entente cordial.”

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