hollow of my neck and I hear him sigh. “I’ve missed you too.”
I enjoy the rapid beat of his heart under my palms as I press my hand to his neck, letting his lips explore the line of my jaw. He flinches as my other hand dips under the hem of his black uniform and traces the fine contours of his chest. A breathy groan escapes as he crushes his lips against mine.
My fingers trail north to explore the cut of his chest, marveling over how much he has changed. A year ago, he was still a boy coming to know a new body. Now he owns it. Too bad it’s hidden beneath his Caldonian uniform.
As I run my finger in a straight line down his breastbone, Eamon snatches my hand just before I reach his belly button and pulls away. “What’s wrong?” I try not to let the pain of his rejection show.
Eamon’s chest rises and falls rapidly as he withdraws my hand from under his shirt and clasps both against his abdomen. “I’m trying really hard to control myself right now and here you sit like a temptress, taunting me mercilessly.”
“Is that so wrong?”
“No,” he groans but gently pushes back on me until I surrender and rise to my feet. “I just feel like I’m taking advantage of you. Five minutes ago you were ready to lop my head off, and for good reason, but this just feels… wrong.”
I scrunch up my nose, wishing more than anything the just and fair side of Eamon had remained locked away for a little longer. I needed to feel wanted again. Not in a hormone-induced haze, but as he used to love me, pure and true. “I guess you are right.”
Even though he was the one who pushed away first, I can see that my agreement hits him hard. “I should probably get back.”
“Sure,” I nod, clasping my arms around myself and desperately trying not to think about how the cold has begun to seep back into my heart. “Kyan needs you.”
Eamon steps toward me, his hand outstretched, but it falls away, as if he thinks better of risking another touch. “He needs you too. He’s just worried. We all are.”
“I know.” I sigh and sink down onto the edge of my bed as he offers me a halfhearted smile and closes the door behind him. “That’s the story of my life,” I whisper to the empty roo m .
Five
By the time Kyan finally calls for me, I’m beyond ticked, and he knows it. That’s why he sends Zahra to fetch me instead. She arrives at my door with her silky blond hair draped over one shoulder in a braid, a stark contrast to the high collar of her black uniform. There is a shimmer of color just over her eyes, a mixture of silver, gold, and bronze. Her full lips are glossed, with a hint of rose added to them. I don’t have to lean in to smell the floral scent that wafts from the hollow of her neck and wrists.
No doubt a gift from Kyan. He does so love to spoil her. Not that Zahra ever complains. She lives to be treated like a princess.
A year ago, Zahra and I were cordially cool with each other… some of the time. At others, it was sheer open hostility, but things change. I lean against the doorframe of my quarters with a rueful grin on my face. “I knew he’d send you to do his dirty work.”
Zahra’s slender shoulders rise and fall with an indifferent shrug that is almost believable. “He thought a pretty face might help soothe the savage beast.”
My lip curls into a smirk. “And he sent you?” I shake my head, tsking. I half anticipate a sharp retort from her, but instead, I’m amazed to see a smile spread along her lips. I arch an eyebrow in surprise and she laughs.
“Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.” I snort loudly as she bumps her hip against mine, laughing. “Okay, maybe I used to be, but I’m not the same girl anymore.”
“So I see.” I look her over and realize how obvious the change really has become. When she first met Kyan, there was a sense of dumbstruck awe in her eyes. Now that has been replaced with the same deep contentment I see each day when Aminah is near Toren. That look
I enjoy the rapid beat of his heart under my palms as I press my hand to his neck, letting his lips explore the line of my jaw. He flinches as my other hand dips under the hem of his black uniform and traces the fine contours of his chest. A breathy groan escapes as he crushes his lips against mine.
My fingers trail north to explore the cut of his chest, marveling over how much he has changed. A year ago, he was still a boy coming to know a new body. Now he owns it. Too bad it’s hidden beneath his Caldonian uniform.
As I run my finger in a straight line down his breastbone, Eamon snatches my hand just before I reach his belly button and pulls away. “What’s wrong?” I try not to let the pain of his rejection show.
Eamon’s chest rises and falls rapidly as he withdraws my hand from under his shirt and clasps both against his abdomen. “I’m trying really hard to control myself right now and here you sit like a temptress, taunting me mercilessly.”
“Is that so wrong?”
“No,” he groans but gently pushes back on me until I surrender and rise to my feet. “I just feel like I’m taking advantage of you. Five minutes ago you were ready to lop my head off, and for good reason, but this just feels… wrong.”
I scrunch up my nose, wishing more than anything the just and fair side of Eamon had remained locked away for a little longer. I needed to feel wanted again. Not in a hormone-induced haze, but as he used to love me, pure and true. “I guess you are right.”
Even though he was the one who pushed away first, I can see that my agreement hits him hard. “I should probably get back.”
“Sure,” I nod, clasping my arms around myself and desperately trying not to think about how the cold has begun to seep back into my heart. “Kyan needs you.”
Eamon steps toward me, his hand outstretched, but it falls away, as if he thinks better of risking another touch. “He needs you too. He’s just worried. We all are.”
“I know.” I sigh and sink down onto the edge of my bed as he offers me a halfhearted smile and closes the door behind him. “That’s the story of my life,” I whisper to the empty roo m .
Five
By the time Kyan finally calls for me, I’m beyond ticked, and he knows it. That’s why he sends Zahra to fetch me instead. She arrives at my door with her silky blond hair draped over one shoulder in a braid, a stark contrast to the high collar of her black uniform. There is a shimmer of color just over her eyes, a mixture of silver, gold, and bronze. Her full lips are glossed, with a hint of rose added to them. I don’t have to lean in to smell the floral scent that wafts from the hollow of her neck and wrists.
No doubt a gift from Kyan. He does so love to spoil her. Not that Zahra ever complains. She lives to be treated like a princess.
A year ago, Zahra and I were cordially cool with each other… some of the time. At others, it was sheer open hostility, but things change. I lean against the doorframe of my quarters with a rueful grin on my face. “I knew he’d send you to do his dirty work.”
Zahra’s slender shoulders rise and fall with an indifferent shrug that is almost believable. “He thought a pretty face might help soothe the savage beast.”
My lip curls into a smirk. “And he sent you?” I shake my head, tsking. I half anticipate a sharp retort from her, but instead, I’m amazed to see a smile spread along her lips. I arch an eyebrow in surprise and she laughs.
“Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.” I snort loudly as she bumps her hip against mine, laughing. “Okay, maybe I used to be, but I’m not the same girl anymore.”
“So I see.” I look her over and realize how obvious the change really has become. When she first met Kyan, there was a sense of dumbstruck awe in her eyes. Now that has been replaced with the same deep contentment I see each day when Aminah is near Toren. That look
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