Read Online A Soul for Trouble by Crista McHugh - Free Book Online Page B

that vibrated through his fingertips. The fact that this naïve little barmaid had managed to stay unharmed so far amazed him.
    “Your hands are warm,” she murmured.
    “Cold?”
    “I’m the one without a cloak here.”
    He chuckled at the return of her sarcasm. “And does Loku have a suggestion about how to get your own cloak?”
    A few seconds later, she tugged on the bottom of his cloak. She reached her arms under it and pressed her body close to his back. “Mmmm, better.”
    “Is this what Loku suggested?”
    She paused before drawing out the word, “No.”
    His curiosity rose, washing the fatigue away from his body for a brief while. “What did he suggest, then?”
    “You don’t want to know.”
    The memory of the way her body writhed in bed caused him to inhale sharply. He had a pretty good idea of what Loku suggested. Blood rushed to his groin, and he shifted in the saddle to find a more comfortable position. Why did he torture himself this way? He should know better than to have such thoughts about the Soulbearer. Just because she was a woman didn’t change the fact that he was sworn to protect her, not take advantage of her.
    In an effort to distract himself from the temptation, he started forming a mental list of things he needed to get when they came to the next market town. Arden needed her own cloak, and they’d reach the coast quicker if his horse didn’t have to carry two people. Provisions for the road. Maybe even look into getting her a small sword.
    They rode until the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon. The weak sunlight illuminated the tall red grass that waved in the breeze around them, turning it into a flaming sea. A necromancer’s powers weakened during the day, so Dev finally surrendered to his weariness. It would be safe to snatch a few hours of sleep while they could.
    He turned his horse off the road and cut through the grass toward a lone fig tree in the middle of the field.
    “Why are we stopping?”
    His lips twitched in response. “Would you rather sleep on horseback or on the ground?”
    “At this point, I don’t care.”
    He stopped the horse, dismounting. Once he secured the reins to the tree, he placed his bedroll on the ground and helped Trouble down. “You can sleep here.” She cocked her head to the side and blinked a few times. “Where will you sleep?”
    “Probably next to the tree.”
    Her brows furrowed together, but she stretched out on the bedroll and curled her thin body into a ball. “There’s still frost on the ground.” Her breath formed a white mist in the air when she spoke.
    “Do you want my cloak?” he asked as he removed the horse’s saddle.
    “But how will you stay warm?”
    Good question. As if he knew what they were talking about, Cinder lay down and leaned against her back. Not perfect, but his fur would at least keep her back warm.
    He closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to watch her shiver. An idea formed in his mind, but he wondered if he had the willpower to carry it out without letting his guard down. He took a deep breath. Duty came before everything else, and right now, the Soulbearer was suffering.
    He sat next to her. “Would you mind sharing my cloak while you sleep? I promise I won’t do anything that will make you uncomfortable.”
    “You mean you want to sleep with me?”
    Her large blue eyes focused on him, and he winced at her accusation. “No, I meant more like sleep next to you. But if that makes you cringe, I can go back over to the tree.”
    “No, wait.” She grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward her. For a few seconds, she studied him before she added, “I trust you.”
    If only she knew some of the thoughts that had crossed his mind last night.
    He wrapped his cloak around the both of them. When he lowered his head, she cuddled closer to him.
    He shifted so his arm cradled her shoulders and the side of her face pressed against his chest. His muscles relaxed. Instead of being awkward, she fit so well