Chapter 32 #2
He told her about Enyo’s favorite spot by the river where they’d throw stones as children, and the way his hair was always disheveled and unkempt.
He told her about the morning Enyo left for his training, and about the last time he’d seen him.
And when he told her again about the silent soldier that had come knocking with the news that split him in two, he couldn’t help but notice the drops of quiet understanding streaking her cheeks.
When they retired up the stairs, the weight of his memories Araes carried on his back somehow felt lighter.
“Goodnight then, wife,” Araes whispered, watching the goddess watch him.
“It’d be more appropriate to say good morning, I think.” Tethys laughed as she nodded toward a window, reflecting the soft light of an approaching dawn.
Gods, that laugh. He’d give his life to hear it one more time.
“What I wouldn’t do to hear that laugh again, Goddess,” he whispered, risking a step closer. For a heartbeat, Araes weighed his options. Cross the line he so desperately tread. Or stay where it was safe, comfortable.
“And what would you do to hear it?” she replied. Her voice was breathless and equally quiet.
“There are fables of mortal men burning the world just for a minute of your attention,” he said cupping her cheek.
“And would you?” She leaned into his touch. “Burn the world for me, I mean?”
Fuck, this woman was everything. Her cheek was so soft in his hand, and her lips…those perfect lips. Were they just as soft?
“For you, Goddess…” His voice trailed off as he closed the distance between them, breathing in her very essence as his lips hovered just above the sensitive part of her neck.
Araes felt her stiffen beneath him. She pressed against him, and just the feel of his thighs between hers was nearly his undoing.
“I’d set the entire fucking continent to flames, if that’s what you desired. ”
“This is dangerous, Lieutenant.”
The whisper in his ear sent a shockwave through him.
“Yes, it is,” he said, running his hand down her arm and lacing his fingers in hers.
“We’d be fools to do this.”
His other hand grasped the curve of her hip.
“Yes, we would be.” The rush of need now blazing through him ignited every cell of his skin and he hardened against her. Judging by the way she clung to his body, he knew the feeling was mutual.
The alarm bell echoed through his head, but he couldn’t hear it over the pounding thrum of his heart slamming against his chest cavity. He was at her mercy entirely. The forbidden feel of her body against his nearly brought him to his knees.
“Fuck it,” he whispered.
Then his lips were on hers. She practically melted beneath him, her groan lingering on his tongue as she matched his every move. Their mouths moved in perfect, hungry unison and she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer.
Araes couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Everything he was outside of this moment ceased to exist. He fell into Tethys’s orbit, feeling her pull in full, unwavering force.
Throughout his life, he was a fighter. When he found himself in the darkest of nights, he’d scavenged for a match.
When the world tried to muzzle him, he raised his voice louder.
But now? He gladly waved the white flag.
His fingers glided up her hip and traced the curve of her breast. Even beneath the heavy woolen fabric, he could feel her nipple pebble for him.
Araes let out a groan and pressed a thigh between hers, desperate for even a sliver of relief from the need raging through him like wildfire.
His cock throbbed against the laces of his trousers.
“Fuck,” he groaned slipping his tongue between her lips. She tasted even more delicious than he ever imagined. Like lavender and honeydew.
“I need you,” she murmured against his skin, her nails digging into the back of his neck. He deepened the kiss, losing himself in it. He didn’t care if the other patrons could hear their groaning whispers or panting breaths. He didn’t care that his breathing was ragged.
“Please, Araes,” she breathed, her fingers trailing the hem of his tunic.
Her touch against his skin nearly sent him over the edge.
Every cell in his body begged him to rip the laces from his trousers and plunge himself into her warmth.
His hands gripped the fabric of her shift and dragged it up her leg.
Her skin was so fucking soft. So smooth, against his palm.
He squeezed her muscle, digging his fingers in and pulled himself from the kiss.
She stood there, her breathing shallow and lips swollen, nearly to the point of no return.
He traced a thumb along the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh, watching her eyes narrow and her swollen, pink lips part.
It was one thing to imagine her unraveling for him, but here and now, the shields of his self-control wavered.
“Touch me,” she whispered, her golden eyes blazing like wildfire.
He groaned, feeling her need soak through the thin underclothes she wore.
Now this was dangerous. Reckless. If they crossed this line, everything changed.
He tugged on the laces of his trousers, now uncomfortable against his aching cock.
His heart pounded in his chest, it wasn’t smart.
He’d let her see everything. Let her creep into his chest and establish roots there.
His thumb fell from her thigh. Maybe it was the wine, or the cold wintry storm rattling the windows, but if his head was clouded, then hers most certainly was as well.
Would she wake up tomorrow, lying beside him, with regret souring the night?
“Tethys, wait.” He pulled away, leaving his lips desperate for the warmth of hers.
“Do not speak, Lieutenant. Please.” She lurched for him again, but he grasped her wrists before they could wrap themselves around his neck.
“We can’t do this,” he whispered, feeling the flush cool from his cheeks.
“I’m not some fragile, little thing, Araes. I made my choice. Now make yours,” she challenged, her voice like gravel in his ear.
“I’ve sworn my life to protect you, and these feelings complicate things enough as is.” The space where her body fit against his ached for her. He breathed, his lungs still ragged in his chest. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
Before Tethys could offer a retort, he lunged past her and swiftly placed himself behind the safety of a locked bedchamber door. He didn’t glance over his shoulder at her as he swung the door shut, because he knew if he had, he’d never look away.