Page 156 of Embers in the Snow

In truth, Iamfearful of hurting someone—of hurtinghim.Those times when my power manifested in wild and unpredictable ways, I was helpless to control it.

I fear the power of the earth; of the trees and the wood that turns to a wild, living thing within my grasp. I could accidentally strangle someone, or crush a body without meaning to.

Corvan simply smiles; a slow, indulgent smile. “Finley, in this strange new world of ours, it seems we deduce most things by accident and chance. And it’s become obvious to me that whenever you’re overflowing with power, the only thing that can contain you is me. When I drink from you, it subdues your power. So if you can’t control it, I’ll simply bite you again and again—until youlearnto control it.”

“Huh,” I say weakly, overwhelmed by his simple logic and his overall sexiness. “It seems you get the better deal out of this.”

“Are you sure?” He slides his hand around the curve of my ass and over my thigh, slipping his fingers between my legs, parting them ever so slightly. “You know that every time I bite you, I can’t help but want to fuck you, too.”

He takes a deep breath.

A gentle shudder goes through him.

“But then again, even if I didn’t bite you, I’d still want to fuck you. You’re so gorgeous, Finley. More beautiful than anything I’ve ever laid my eyes upon before.”

I shrug—or at least, I attempt to shrug, my composure quickly falling away. “Well, you’re beautiful, too, even if you are alittletoo cocky at times.”

His thumb finds my entrance. Encased in supple leather, it feels rough and smooth at the same time. A different sensation. I rather like it.

His eyebrows rise as he feigns innocence. “Whatever do you mean by that?”

“I’m a dryad, remember? If you get out of hand, I might just bind you with wood.”

“If it’s you… I wouldn’t mind being bound.”

I laugh. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“As are you.” He slides his thumb inside me. Then a finger, then another, stretching me.

I gasp as my arousal swells; as he gently moves his fingers back and forth, pleasuring me.

He leans in, his warm breath feathering my ear. “And here I was, all ready for battle; preparing to storm a castle for your sake.”

“Well, the storming of said castle’s going to have to wait a little, isn’t it?”

“So it seems.” He withdraws his fingers and gently rubs my clit, sending me into a silent little frenzy. Suddenly, he’s on his feet, lifting me up in his arms and gently depositing me in his big leather armchair.

He drops to his knees.

Spreads my legs wide.

Kisses me between them.

I close my eyes and arc backwards, consumed by pleasure—andhim.

Enemies can wait.

We’re a little preoccupied right now.

46

FINLEY

After Corvan found me awake, he made sure I was well fed. I had a sumptuous lunch of smoked river fish and freshly baked bread, accompanied by verdant salad of garden greens and fragrant herbs with a delicate citrus oil dressing. Then there was stewed cinnamon apples and whipped lemon yoghurt, and mint tea to wash it all down.

He ordered me to rest again. Then I bathed and dressed—in simple black traveling garb of warm, sturdy fabric and leather.

Corvan has been in and out all day, attending to business around the castle. He’s coordinating the defenses and arranging the burial of the dead. Occasionally, I hear the solemn chanting of burial rites, delivered by a Hecoan priest.

---