It has been a long day by the time we reach the tunnel’s exit. The corridor is so small and narrow we’ve spent much of the day crawling on our hands and knees.
My mind keeps returning to our kiss. Even now, I miss the press of her soft lips against mine. She has said nothing about it since it happened, and I worry that perhaps she may regret it now.
Or maybe her mind was simply occupied with moving through the cave. I’m in awe of the amount of trust she has in me. She could see nothing through most of our journey, and relied upon me completely to guide her.
Light filters into the cavern up ahead as we make our way toward the cave mouth. With her hand still in mine, we walk toward it. The moment we reach the outside, I’m reluctant to let go of her hand, but there is no reason to hold onto her now that we’re out in the light, and she can see clearly.
Lyana tilts her head up, and spreads her arms wide as if in a friendly greeting to the setting sun.
I stare at her, completely transfixed as the golden light surrounds and envelops her. She truly is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
Fierce possessiveness fills me as I observe her. When we married, I never expected to feel like this. To look upon her and ache with want to touch her petal-soft skin. To have to fight the urge to gather her in my arms and hold her close.
A cool breeze blows through her long, black hair. I long to run my fingers through the silken strands, gripping them firmly and tipping her head up to expose the long column of her neck.
According to her, the human vows we made were not binding, but as my gaze darts to the pulsing artery along her neck, I long more than anything to bind her to me in the ways of my people. Something dark and primal unfurls from deep within, demanding that I sink my fangs into her sensitive flesh and claim her as my true mate.
She turns to me. Her luminous golden-brown eyes search mine and I am completely lost in their depths. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “For helping me through the cave.”
Unable to speak, I dip my chin. My gaze travels over her face. I wonder if she would accept my dark kiss, or if it would scare her.
She seemed terrified of the prospect of the Wild Hunt when Bran mentioned it to her.
My gaze drops to her soft, full lips. I long to kiss her again, but I do not know if she wants this.
As much as I want to speak to her about what happened, I do not know how.
I realize I am staring at her when her cheeks flush bright red and she lowers her eyes from me.
Perhaps it is as I feared and she regrets our kiss.
Sighing heavily, I force my gaze from hers and scan the forest. We must focus on finding safety and shelter. I am certain Fredrik and the queen will not have given up their search for her.
The wind carries a faint hint of the crisp, saline scent of the ocean. We cannot be very far from Solwyck and the Northern Sea that borders its lands.
Beyond that, lies my kingdom—Rivenyl. But between here and there, I know that my kind are not well liked. I only pray we do not run into any trouble along the way.
