As he placed me on the bed, I sank into the soft covers. Kull moved down to my feet, his eyebrows rising as he untied my mud-caked boots.
“Something wrong with my shoes?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he answered, smiling. “They suit you perfectly.” He removed one boot, then the other, and tossed them to the ground. They landed with a loud thump. A magical burst sparked through the tree’s trunk, casting Kull’s features in silvery blue.
Although I still had that piece of Theht in my head, I prayed, just for this one night, that the goddess’s presence wouldn’t affect me. More than anything, I hoped I could let go of my past garbage and insecurities. That I could just, for once, let go.
Kull came close and pushed the hair away from my eyes, letting his fingers linger on my cheek, then over my lips, his eyes intense. “Is this okay?” he asked quietly, as if reading my thoughts.
“I hope so,” I answered.
“You’ll tell me if it’s not?”
I nodded.
He trailed his fingers to my neck, then cupped my cheeks and softly kissed my lips.
“How was that?” he asked.
“Fine. Better than fine, really. To be honest, I haven’t felt Theht’s presence since I touched the water in the pool.”
“You think it scared her off?”
“Maybe, but I doubt she’s gone for good.”
“But could she be gone for now?”
“She’s not gone. Hiding, maybe.”
He kissed my knuckles slowly. “Hiding is better than nothing. I can work with hiding.”
With his hands cradling my face, I let him kiss me again. This time, he deepened the kiss, gently moving his tongue inside my mouth. His lips were soft and pliable as they moved with mine.
When he pulled away again, he rested his forehead against mine. My breathing came out labored, my chest rising and falling as excitement pumped through my blood. Was this really happening or would I wake up soon and find it was a dream?
“You don’t have to stop,” I whispered.
“No?”
I shook my head.
Passion lit his eyes. He kissed me again, then trailed his mouth down my exposed neck. He brushed his lips over my collarbone. Arousal sparked inside me at the feel of his mouth on my skin. My breasts tightened against the confines of my dress. Kull ran his fingers up my arms, then behind my neck.
He reached behind me and unfastened the row of buttons on my dress. My heart raced, its frantic beats echoing in my ears as he lifted the dress over my head and pulled it free, then cast it to the ground along with my boots.
He leaned in close, his mouth brushing my ear. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”
I laughed, holding his face in my hands. “Prove it,” I whispered back.
And he did.
Chapter 20
Somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, I lay wrapped in Kull’s arms, the heat of his body keeping me warm. His naked torso was pressed to my back, and I felt the gentle rhythm of his breathing. My own breathing matched his, and I was certain I had never felt more content in my entire life.
The first rays of sunlight filtered into the room, waking me fully, but I had no desire to move. I wanted to stay right there wrapped in his arms for the rest of forever. I knew sometime soon I would have to get out of this bed and face reality—but not now. Now, I would simply be happy.
Minutes later, Kull stirred. He kissed my cheek, and I turned to look into his eyes. Those crystal clear, glacial eyes caught me off guard, making my heart patter and butterflies fill my stomach. I could hardly believe I was waking up next to this guy.
He pushed the hair away from my forehead and kissed my brow. “You look so beautiful in the morning.”
I laughed. With my hair mussed and sticking up in every direction, I wasn’t sure I agreed with him. “So do you, Sunshine. Should we find some breakfast?”
“No, I have other plans.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Other plans?”
He kissed me, ever so softly, on the lips. Deepening the kiss, he gradually moved his tongue into my mouth, working slowly, yet sensually, causing a heat to grow within me.
A knock came at the door, startling us apart.
“Who—?” Kull sat up, looking at the door.
“Maybe they’ll go away,” I whispered after a pause.
The knocking started again, more insistent. “Go away!” Kull called.
“How dare you!” came a familiar female voice. “Let us in before I break down this door!”
Kull growled. “Heidel. Someone else must be with her, too.”
“What are they doing here?” I whispered frantically.
“No idea. How did they even find us?”
“Good question.”
Heidel pounded on the door. “This is urgent, Brother. Open this door!”
“Urgent, huh?” Kull said to me. “I know something else that’s urgent.” He kissed me again, but with the incessant knocking in the background, the mood was ruined.
“I guess you should open the door,” I said.
“I don’t have to.”
“But she’ll never go away.”
Kull let out a long sigh. “I know.” He moved off the bed and hastily grabbed his clothes off the floor. Pulling on his pants and shirt, he stumbled to the door, opening it a crack.
“What?” he demanded.
“Good morning to you too, Brother. Maveryck and I are so happy to see you alive and well.” Even from my spot on the bed, I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
“What do you want?” he growled.
“Well, aren’t you going to invite us in?”
He glanced at me as I lay naked under the covers before turning back to Heidel and Maveryck.
“No,” he answered.
“Why not?”
“I’ll let you guess.”
“Is Olive in there? Brother,” she said, aghast. “You are a liar! I knew you were lying when you told me you were waiting for marriage. You bedded her, didn’t you?”
“Maybe so.”
“I knew you were lying to me!”
“Yes, Sister. I am ashamed to admit that I am an absolute liar. That being said, Olive is not decent, so I suggest you come back later.”
“Not decent? Brother, you disgust me. You’ve been here in
