He nods stiffly. “It’s too dangerous for you now that she knows you’re here.”
“I’m trying,” I murmur. “And I won’t wander away.”
Altair presses his lips into a thin, anxious line. “I don’t want to restrict you anymore than I already have, but please stay close. Please.”
His pleading sends a pang of sorrow through my chest. “I will, I promise.”
Our eyes meet, hazel and blue. And suddenly his lips are on mine, kissing me as if we’ll never embrace again. I wrap my arms around his neck as our lips move together. He eases my lips apart with his tongue and I moan as he deepens the kiss. I nip at his bottom lip and he growls, pressing me closer to him. His arms around my waist, a hand on my ass. I arch into him, gasping as his fierce kisses drown me in desire.
I give into him and tangle my fingers in his hair. My body is on fire, lava trickling over me slowly. I’ve never wanted anyone this badly. Altair sucks my bottom lip, tugging on it, and I press myself against him in response. Waves of pleasure crash into me as he kisses me. My fingers graze the tips of his ears as I rake them through his hair and suddenly Altair is trembling violently. He groans and bites sensually on my lip.
His hands trail over my back, cupping my ass and pushing me against him. I gasp, clutching at him. No one has ever lit me on fire like this before, not even Henry. Henry. I freeze and push away from Altair, breathing heavily. Henry.
Panting, Altair adjusts his jacket and gives me a hesitant smile. “No slap?” He asks teasingly.
I bite my lip, staring into his beautiful hazel eyes. My words are lodged in my throat. The pleasure fades, but my desire for Altair is strong, tugging me towards him. But I can’t. I’m still engaged.
Chapter 13
Altair
Verity is warm in my arms, pliable and soft. She moans against my lips and the sound sends a thrill coursing through me. For the past week while I’ve been resting from my wounds, all I’ve been able to think about is Verity. When I’m not thinking of her, I’m obsessed with finding ways to keep her safe. Today’s incursion from Maaz has only made it even clearer that verity can never be safe until she breaks my curse.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, drawing me from my thoughts and back to the woman in my arms. I take a ragged breath and sweep my tongue through her mouth, tasting her. A shock of pleasure hits me as her fingers gently trail the curve of my pointed ear. I shudder uncontrollably and a groan escapes my lips. Fae ears are intense erogenous zones, and Verity has stumbled upon it to my pleasure.
I need her desperately. A week of keeping my distance and quelling my attraction for her was annihilated tonight when I saw her in this gown. I squeeze her ass tightly, pushing her against my pelvis. She gasps softly and curls her body into me, as if she needs me as much as I need her. But she couldn’t possible crave me to the same extent; every cell in my body is crying out for her.
Suddenly, she lurches away, panting. I drop my arms from around her, letting her create distance between us. My breath is coming in short, loud gasps as I reel from the kiss. It was heavenly being so close to her, being able to express how I truly feel for her. She stares up at me, eyes wide and impossibly blue. I offer her a smile, my heart soaring.
“No slap?” I tease.
She bites her lip and opens her mouth to speak before closing it hesitantly. I grow wary, watching her process the kiss. Her brows are furrowed and she’s biting down her lip so hard I worry she may draw blood. I reach for her, my fingers skimming the soft skin of her arm. She shivers but doesn’t relax the way I expected.
I frown. I may have pushed her too far, but I felt closer to her this last week than ever before. But perhaps the feelings between us haven’t progressed as quickly as I thought. I smooth back my hair and drag a hand over my jaw.
“Goodnight, Verity,” I say reluctantly.
I know she needs to rest; she’s kept strange hours for me this past week. But I don’t want to leave her tonight. A small corner of my heart desperately hopes that she’ll invite me in, that she’ll ask me to stay with her. But the inexplicable expression on her face tells me otherwise. Her forehead creases even deeper at my words, and she smooths her hands over her skirts nervously.
“What is it?” I ask, reaching for her.
She takes a smooth step back, her skirts rustling. “You shouldn’t touch me,” she murmurs.
A cold chill spreads through my chest and any shred of hope I had is torn. I realize as I stare into her sorrowful eyes that she isn’t thinking of me at all. Her thoughts are on the mortal man she unwillingly left behind. The cold spreads from my heart to my limbs, an icy rage.
I turn, back stiff. I can’t be with her while she thinks of him. Not after sharing such passion. Dawn isn’t far off, and when it comes, I’ll throw myself into the sky and patrol the borders to take my mind off of Verity. Though I know nothing could truly push her from my mind.
“Wait, Altair,” she says. I feel her finger trips graze my back and I shudder.
“What?” I ask hoarsely.
“I need to see Henry, please, can I go?” Her voice is laced with nerves, as if she’s afraid of what I might say. “I’ll come back.”
I chuckle humorlessly. “You want to see your mortal fiancé? Your lover?”
“I-,” she begins,
