Chapter 23
VIVIENNE
Iwake to darkness and warmth. For a long, hazy moment I don’t remember where I am. I only know I’m snuggled beneath a heavy blanket and… there’s something solid beneath my cheek.
Moonlight filters through the tent fabric, illuminating the space just enough that I can see I’m draped over Auren.
My arm lies across his bare, muscular torso, and my thigh is hooked over his. His masculine scent surrounds me as his heart beats a strong, steady rhythm beneath my ear, making something inside me soften before I can stop it.
Heat floods through me as I force myself to remain perfectly still, worried that even the smallest movement will wake him.
When did I move this close? Why did I move this close?
Carefully, I lift my head.
He’s asleep. I should untangle myself immediately, but I find myself studying him instead.
His dark lashes rest against his cheeks, and his mouth is slightly parted, revealing a hint of his fangs. My gaze travels over the slope of his cheekbones, the sharp angle of his jaw, the unmistakable curve of his pointed ear against the furs.
Everything about him is unfairly beautiful. It isn’t just that he is handsome. It’s the contradiction of him: the softness in sleep set against the strength I have seen in him awake, the quiet stillness that somehow feels just as dangerous as his power.
I huff out a frustrated sigh. I’m not supposed to notice these things, or like them. And I am most certainly not supposed to feel… whatever this strange fluttering is in my chest.
Before I can stop myself, my fingers flex lightly against his skin. Thankfully, he doesn’t stir.
A soft rustle outside the tent cuts through my thoughts, and I freeze.
Lying perfectly still, I listen for what feels like forever, before finally deciding it must have simply been the wind. Just as I’m about to relax, however, I hear it again.
Cold slides down my spine. “Auren,” I whisper.
He wakes instantly, nostrils flaring. “Vivienne? What’s wrong? I can smell your fear.”
“I heard a noise.” I gesture to the tent flap. “It sounds like there’s something outside.”
He goes still as he listens. Silence stretches between us a moment before he pushes himself up to standing and speaks in a low voice. “I’ll go check.”
“Wait,” I hiss, but he’s already moving, reaching for his sword.
“It’s likely nothing,” he murmurs. “Stay here.”
Before I can protest, he slips outside and disappears into the darkness.
My heart slams against my ribs. The forest beyond the tent feels far more menacing without him here, my mind conjuring all sorts of terrifying creatures.
Trying to calm my nerves, I focus on listening for the sound of his voice or some indication that he’s nearby and well. Clenching my jaw, I tell myself my fears are foolish and entirely unfounded.
Auren is stronger than anything that could lurk outside. He has powerful magic and he’s more than capable of taking care of himself. But… he is also mortal.
The thought strikes like a blow. I care about Auren. And more than that, I don’t want him to get hurt. What if something dangerous is out there? What if he’s walking into a trap even now?
My chest tightens as I think of him in danger. I cannot just sit here and wait. Not when he might need my help. Quickly, I pull out a dagger from his supplies, gripping the handle firmly.
My heart hammers in my throat as I move toward the tent flap. I shove it open and collide directly into solid, warm muscle. Losing my balance, I start to stumble back, but Auren’s hands catch my shoulders, steadying me.
His gaze drops immediately to the knife in my hand. “What are you doing?”
“I—I was coming to help you, you idiot.” I snap, but the words don’t have any real heat because I’m just so thankful he’s alright.
As I study his handsome face, the truth I’ve been trying so hard to ignore rises to the surface. If anything happened to him, I would be devastated beyond measure.
I shouldn’t feel this much for him. But the thought of losing him… The dagger slips from my fingers, falling to the ground, and I stretch up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.
My heart clenches as his eyes search mine in confusion. “Vivienne?”
“You ridiculously insufferable, Elf,” my voice quavers as touch his face. “I was so worried,” I whisper as tears sting my eyes. “Thank the gods you’re alright,” I lean in and crush my mouth to his.
He goes still. His lips are warm beneath mine, yet firm, and unmoving as if he’s not sure what to do. I’m about to pull back, but he wraps his arms around my waist and presses his lips more firmly to my own.
He opens his mouth and then groans as I curl my tongue around his. I moan as he takes control of our kiss, tightening one arm around my waist as his other hand slides through my hair. He grips the silken strands and lightly tugs, angling my face to his as he deepens our kiss.
I’ve never kissed anyone before. Gods, I never knew it could feel like this.
Auren growls low in his throat and pulls me even closer as I trace my fingers over his pointed ears.
My tongue brushes across the tip of one fang, and it does something dangerous to me, knowing just how lethal my husband is and the strength of his restraint.
We’re so close I feel his heart beating in his chest against mine. He catches my lower lip with his, slow and deliberate, as if savoring the taste of our kiss.
My thoughts scatter as his mouth meshes repeatedly with mine. Heat floods through me, sudden and dizzying as his warm, mint breath mingles with my own as I lean in, desperate for more.
“Vivienne,” he breathes my name between kisses, growling again as I touch his sensitive ears.
The forest disappears, leaving behind only the press of his mouth, the strength of his hands on my body, the pounding of my heart, and the terrifying realization that I wanted this long before I admitted it.
I pull back abruptly, as if burned by the very thought.
His eyes are raven-black with desire. “Vivienne.” He cups my cheek. “I—”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” I take a small step back and avert my gaze. “I just—I was… relieved you’re safe. That’s all.”
“Look at me, Vivienne.”
I shake my head and turn away before clearing my throat. “So what was out there?” I ask, changing the subject, trying to keep my voice even despite the heat scorching my cheeks. “Did you find anything?”
He hesitates before replying. “It was only a fox.”
“Good.” I walk toward the bed and lie down. Pulling the blankets over my body, I turn onto my side, away from him. “Goodnight, Auren.”
The silence between us hums with unspoken tension. After a moment, he sighs heavily and crawls back under the furs beside me.
My heart is still racing, lips tingling with the memory of our kiss. Gods above, what was I thinking?
The space between us feels impossibly charged. Closing my eyes, I pretend to sleep, but I’m wide awake, and acutely aware of him, his breathing, his warmth, the fact that I kissed him…
And of the frightening truth that I would do it again.