Chapter 9
We stood at the edge of a glimmering pool of black water, smoke rising from it.
My mouth dropped open, and I cut a look at Madden. “How did you know this was here?”
A cheeky smile spread across his face, and I had a feeling he didn’t smile often enough in the real world.
“This cursed world, it mirrors Gilraeth. I’ve scaled these mountains often.
I didn’t know for sure this would be here, but I had a feeling it might be.
” He stretched his shirt over his head. “Now get undressed and get in.”
I looked at him for a minute, at the carved muscles of his chest, the scars that peppered him.
I couldn’t imagine how a person could have so many scars.
He must’ve been a fierce sight to behold in this Band of Mercenaries he was a part of.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded. “Actually.” I twirled my finger.
“Turn around. I don’t trust you not to peek. ”
“Good instinct, Princess.” He turned so I got a full, glorious look at all the hard planes and edges of his back.
I stripped down and stepped a toe in the water. It was deliciously warm. I sank my body in until I was fully covered.
“Okay, your turn.” I raised my eyebrows in a challenge.
“I’m not quite as shy as you are,” he said, holding my gaze as he undid his trousers and pulled them down. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, off the sharp V that pointed down to his groin.
I realized I was staring and quickly turned, hearing the soft chuckle that escaped his mouth. A soft splash sounded behind me, then I felt the splat of water across the back of my head.
I turned and Madden was wading toward me.
“Hey,” I said, splashing him back.
He ducked underneath the water, coming back up with his dark hair now plastered to his head, droplets clinging to his brown strands.
“I’m not afraid of a little water.” He swam closer.
“Neither am I.” I frowned. “At least I don’t think I am.”
“I’m starting to think you’re not afraid of anything,” he murmured.
“I’m afraid of a lot of things.” I looked up at the sky. “Especially since you arrived, pushing me off that cliff and changing my life.”
He tugged at the end of my braid. “Are you still mad about that?”
I shook my head. Steam rose up around us, black and gray rock sparkling under the shining stars above. “No. I still think you’re an ass for doing it, but I’m grateful for the memories I’ve gotten back. It’s something I haven’t felt in so long.”
His brows furrowed. “What is?”
“Love,” I said simply.
He stared at me for a long minute, like he wanted to say something, something that could change things in a way I didn’t know I was ready for.
I leaned forward and pressed my mouth to his, as if I could capture whatever he was about to say, keep it locked away for a little longer.
He stiffened at first, then his arms wound around my back and drew me into him.
Our mouths moved together, eager and hungry for more.
I let my fingers trail down his slick shoulders and biceps, enjoying the feel of him, knowing that in this moment, he was mine.
I wasn’t sure if I had any lovers in Gilraeth, wasn’t sure if I was promised to anyone, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t matter.
Whatever this was, it was bigger than Madden and me, an undeniable pull between us that I couldn’t deny.
His hands moved up and down my back, and my breasts pushed against his chest, nipples hard, a throbbing ache growing between my legs. I felt his hard length press against me, and I groaned.
“Princess.” He pressed his forehead to mine, chest rising and falling. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“Why?” I trailed kisses down his jaw. “It seems like an excellent idea to me.”
“It’s—my life is complicated, and I don’t . . .” He stopped, running a hand through his hair, a wild look in his eyes. “What if we stayed here?”
I moved back, not understanding. “What?”
He gestured around. “This world, it’s cursed and bleak and dark, but I’m starting to realize you’re my light.”
My heart squeezed.
“I don’t need anything else but you. We can live here together. Fight our nightmares and . . .”
I played with the end of my braid. His offer was so tempting.
“Madden, I would love nothing more than to just exist with you, but now that my memories are returning, I’m realizing that I can’t keep running.
There are people depending on me, and I want to be there for them. I want to remember who I am.”
Madden’s face fell, and I lifted his chin. “And it’s because of you. You’re running from something too. But you haven’t told me what.”
He licked his lips, lips that I very much wanted to feel against mine again.
“I feel like you know me better than anyone.” He cupped my cheek. “Yet there are things you don’t know, don’t understand, about my life.”
“Then let me in,” I said. “You’ve been there for me, helped me face my nightmares, so let me help you face yours.”
“The mercenaries saved me,” he said, “but they’ve also chained me, in a way. I haven’t always been proud of the things I’ve done for them, of who I’ve been, yet I feel indebted to them for giving me a new chance at life.”
“That’s not a family.”
He swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“You told me they were like your family, but that’s not what family does. They shouldn’t make you feel bad about yourself. I only have glimpses, flashes of my time with my mother and father, but I felt nothing but love and acceptance from them. You deserve that too.”
He studied me. “I feel like I’ve found it, with—”
A growl rumbled from above us, and we looked up to see a dragon hovering above, nostrils flaring, smoke pouring from its nose.
“Another dragon?” I asked.
“It’s not here for you,” Madden said slowly. “It’s here for me.”