Page 106 of Embers in the Snow

I chuckle. “The audacity.”

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you’re very pleasing to the eye, Your Highness?”

There’s that burning arrow sensation again. “Not really.” Well, Kaithar does, but that’s just stupid banter; my commander swings strongly in the other direction.

“Well, I’m sure there are many that have thought it, but considering who you are, I can see why nobody would dare.”

“And yet, you have no reservations about objectifying my naked form.” I’m surprised at how much I’m enjoying this lighthearted back-and-forth.

“Well, Iambetrothed to you, and now we’re lovers, so I should think this sort of thing is entirely appropriate.”

“As you wish, my lady.” With a resigned sigh, I caress her cheek and roll out of bed.

She props herself up on one elbow and gives me a heated look. I feel her eyes burning into me as I turn and retrieve my clothes. Glancing over my shoulder, I snort softly and quickly get dressed.

I’ve never been so blatantly ogled by a woman before.

“You have a magnificent ass, Corvan.”

I pull up my trousers and fasten them, before slipping my belt through the loops.

I smile, baring my fangs. “A schedule, then.”

She holds up her wrist, where I’ve marked her. “Forthis,yes. As for the other thing…”

I silence her with a look. “Thatwill never be scheduled. It will be spontaneous and frequent.Initiated by either party. Andalwaysfreely given, never forced. Do you agree?”

A fleeting look of surprise crosses her face, quickly hidden. “Yes…” She tips her head; a little deferent now. Her lips curve ever so slightly. “Your Highness.”

“The only time I would ever want you to call me that is in bed,” I tease as I don my shirt and fasten the buttons.

The fact that Icantease her like this… it pleases me immensely. For although I’ve become monstrous, she treats me as if I were still human.

She isn’t afraid of me. She invites me into her bed as if I were a comely lad she’s decided to have a quick fling with.

I put on my jacket, keenly aware of the way she watches me.

“Well, if that is what you please,” she says quietly, giving me a demure little look. I can’t tell whether she’s being serious or not. It drives me a little crazy.

I’m starting to get aroused again. As I bend down and retrieve my boots, I allow my gaze to linger. “We’ll continue this discussion later, Finley. I’ll wait for you in the antechamber.”

32

FINLEY

We leave Tyron Castle on foot, discreetly exiting through a side gate with not a single soul to bid us farewell.

It isn’t the departure I’d expected for a Prince of the Empire, but Corvan is unexpected in so many ways.

It’s midday. The sky is clear and brilliantly blue—a rarity in the middle of winter. The bright sunshine reflects off the snow, turning it incandescent. As we step outside the castle walls, I shield my eyes with my gloved hand.

“Here.” Corvan reaches into his pocket and retrieves two pairs of gold-framed glasses with dark lenses. He hands me a pair and dons the other, concealing his crimson eyes. “For the glare. I had these specially made for my light-sensitivity, but they’re also useful to ordinary folks.”

I put the glasses on. Suddenly, my world is tinted a darker shade of grey, as if clouds have fallen across the sun. The snow-glare no longer bothers me. “This…sensitivityis because of your condition?”

“The sun and I are no longer friends,” he sighs, a resigned look crossing his handsome features. “I used to tan and never burn. Now, the sun makes me blister and peel immediately. Although your blood seems to temper the effects completely—for a certain amount of time, anyway. It doesn’t happen with the others. Only you.” A strange note enters his voice; as if he’s aware of some terrible secret about me.

My suspicion rises. “And you wouldn’t happen to knowwhythat might be the case?”

---