Chapter 27
Scarlen stretched her legs, the softness of the warm sheets and large bed reminded her she was no longer in prison.
Fluttering her tired eyes open, she gazed around the room and smiled.
She’d had hardly any sleep last night due to making love to Bear as many times as they could manage before exhaustion took hold.
It was like a dream being free, waking in a witch’s secret house, sleeping with Bear all night. Where is he?
Just as she stretched her neck, he came in, fully dressed in black trousers and a fitted shirt, showing his muscles through the material. He looked so different, even his face somehow.
‘Breakfast is ready,’ he told her. ‘We’re to talk about our next move, so meet us in the kitchen once you’re dressed.’ He gestured at the armoire. ‘There are clothes in there for you.’
‘What time is it?’ She yawned after speaking.
‘Late morning.’
Scarlen snuggled into the sheets, grinning. ‘I don’t think I can get up while I can still feel you inside me. How about you help me shift that feeling.’
Bear quirked a brow. ‘And how do you propose I do that?’
‘By making it feel real.’
A small twitch hit his lip. ‘We don’t have much time.’
‘Then be quick.’
He blew out a short laugh. ‘I’m being practical. We need to be in the kitchen with the others.’
Scarlen playfully pouted. ‘Please, Bear. I’m sure with your help I’ll be able to cope with the day.’
‘Is that right?’
‘Be practical after you’ve fulfilled my needs.’
‘Well, that’s some pillow talk I can’t refuse.’
She pressed up on her elbows, the covers slipping down from her bare breasts. ‘I’m aching for your touch.’ Her gaze drifted to his bottoms. ‘And judging by that bulge, I’d say you have your own ache going on.’
‘Yes, but I’m being sensible. People are waiting for us.’
Scarlen bit her lip as she grinned. ‘I’m waiting for us.’ She pulled the cover off her body to accentuate her point.
Bear removed his clothes and climbed on top of her within a moment, and Scarlen quickly rewarded him with a heated kiss while pressing her sensitive area into his so he’d slip inside her before talking about being practical again.
His smile grew on hers. ‘How am I supposed to hurry now we’re joined like this?’
Scarlen pushed up into him again, loving the noises he made when so close. ‘Perhaps next time you’ll be here when I wake, then you won’t have to think about hurrying.’
‘There is business to attend to.’
She bucked into him once more, catching his groan in her mouth. ‘This is your business from now on, Vyer. First order of the day: give Scarlen an orgasm.’
He laughed on her lips. ‘Sounds like you only want me for my body.’
‘I do.’
‘I better get a move on then.’
She curled herself around him fully, his tongue back with hers as they made love once again, and there was no way they were hurrying.
Scarlen took him again during her morning shower, then when she was choosing clothes, then finally submitted to the day, not wanting anything to do with the talks going on in the kitchen, as life in the bedchamber was the best escape ever, but Bear was determined to talk to the others, even though he had admitted he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life in bed with her.
‘I’m not going to be able to concentrate now,’ he whispered as they made their way up the polished wooden stairs, the smell of frying bacon luring them forward.
‘Tell me about it. I can still feel you.’ She gave his hand a soft squeeze as he raised his brows her way. ‘Let’s go back to bed.’
‘After this meeting, which we are late for. Then I promise you, you can do what you like with me.’
‘Do you want me to tell you what I want to do to you?’
Bear’s lips tightened as he pushed on the kitchen door. ‘Nope.’
Scarlen’s grin dropped as she saw Ulafe directing utensils to the large pine table in the middle of the room using only his finger to point the way. She’d never seen an inanimate object move by itself before.
Elbar was already sitting at the table with Wynter and Raven, who looked as flushed and tired as Scarlen and Bear. ‘About time,’ she huffed. ‘These two only just arrived as well.’
Wynter shrugged. ‘It was a tiring night.’
‘My brother is out today scouting your route home,’ Ulafe said, gesturing for Scarlen to pour herself some tea.
She figured that must have been the other man from last night. Sitting, she served Bear first, setting a cup of hot green tea in front of him as he joined her side, sliding some toast her way.
Their hands met under the table as Ulafe spoke of the prison, and Scarlen felt Bear tense.
‘All was calm by sunrise,’ explained Ulafe, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening with each word. ‘Jesserlie cast a spell, and the inmates were back in their cells. No doubt made to clean the place today before being punished.’
Raven took his eyes off Wynter. ‘And us?’
‘They’ve been searching for you all night. When Jilk returns, we will know more. But all being well, you should be able to leave tomorrow as soon as the sun goes down.’
‘Cary and Trinn wanted to come,’ Elbar told Bear. ‘But I told them the fewer of us, the better.’
Scarlen didn’t mean to scoff, it just slipped out as she went to sip her tea. ‘I didn’t even know you were that close to the Rebels.’
Raven leaned closer. ‘Just so you know, we don’t call ourselves that unless we’re being sarcastic.’
She glanced at Bear. ‘Sorry. It’s not my intention to insult you.’
‘It’s all right.’ Bear’s attention was on Raven. ‘Everyone calls us that name.’
Wynter gave Raven a small nudge, then Raven went back to eating.
Scarlen always felt as if she were on the outside looking in when it came to Bear and his family, but she was new to their mix so believed it was normal for her to feel she was missing something.
It was best if she didn’t broach the subject.
As far as she was concerned, she was going to their home soon. She just hoped she would be accepted.
Clearing her throat, she said, ‘There’s a lot of animosity towards southerners in the north. Will I be welcome?’
Bear looked to Raven first, then to Scarlen. ‘Do you want to come with us? I want you to know I can take you to your home if you know you’ll be safe there.’
Safe? How was she to know what her father would do next? He could be unpredictable, and she was quite sure he was insane.
‘Scars?’ he encouraged.
She had to give him some form of honesty. ‘I’m not sure where I’d be safe.’
Bear’s eyebrows knitted at once. ‘You’d be safe with me.’
‘But your people …’ What else could she add that they didn’t already know about the growing divide?
He leaned closer, placing her hand on his lap. ‘If you want to be with me, I promise I’ll keep you safe.’
‘I want to be with you,’ she said quietly, but everyone was listening, looking intrigued at most.
‘You sure?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, conviction in her heart.