Chapter 54 Training #2
Kyron inhaled loudly as if waging some internal battle but then gave in.
The space between them disappeared. His lips crashed against hers.
Sorcha gasped into the kiss, fingers tangling in his shirt, pulling him closer instead of pushing him away.
His hands found her waist, anchoring her.
It was a messy, breathless tangle of limbs and heat that it made her head spin.
They stumbled inside, barely making it past the threshold before Kyron’s hands were on her again, his body pressing her back against the door as his mouth claimed hers.
She wasn’t sure who pulled who first, but suddenly they were moving, tripping over each other, lost in the haze of it.
Somehow, they ended up in front of the hearth.
Kyron lowered her onto the rug, his body hovering over hers, the firelight casting golden embers across his face.
She wanted this, she wanted him. He kissed a slow trail down her throat, his mouth lingering where her pulse beat just beneath the skin.
His tongue tracing the line of her collarbone, tasting salt and the faint earthy tang of magic that always clung to her.
He moved lower, his mouth charting a path down her body.
Between kisses, his tongue swirled against her skin, teasing the spaces between.
When he reached the hollow between her breasts she curled her fingers into his hair, holding him there just for a moment longer as he lifted her shirt.
Cool air slid over her exposed skin, chasing the heat his mouth left behind.
He continued to kiss her stomach slow, each press of his lips torching a fire inside her.
When he reached her navel, he paused. His breath skated over her skin, and the heat of it sent more shivers through her.
He dipped lower, lips grazing just above the band of her pants.
His tongue traced a single, deliberate line across the sensitive strip of skin that made her stomach tighten.
Then he looked up, his eyes locked on hers as she held his gaze. He kissed her again, deep and slow, his hips rolling against hers as she wrapped her legs around him. He reached for the button of her pants when her hands flattened against his chest.
Kyron froze, breath hitching as he looked down at her. They were tangled together, heat coiling, the air between them charged, but he didn’t push.
Her fingers curled into his tunic. “I can’t.”
Kyron didn’t move for a long moment. Then,
slowly, he exhaled. “Is everything okay?”
Sorcha bit her lip, forcing the words out even though they tasted bitter. “I don’t know what’s going to happen after tonight. I don’t know if I’ll make it out of the Veil.”
He bit the inside of cheek and spoke gently.
“You will.”
“I might not.” She stared into the fire as she spoke. “And I can’t… I can’t let us get mixed up, not with so much at stake.”
Kyron sat up, running a hand over his face.
“I understand.” His voice was quiet and she flinched at the softness in it. She wished he would scream, get angry or upset because it would make this whole situation easier to end.
“I don’t want to start something I can’t finish,” she admitted, continuing to try and explain, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not when everything is this uncertain.”
Kyron exhaled, his gaze sweeping over her face and body like he was trying to memorize every curve of her.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded.
And after another long, heavy silence, he huffed a quiet laugh.
“You’re going to ruin me, Sorcha.”
She turned to him, blinking back the sting behind her eyes. She smiled softly. “I think that’s a you problem.”
His lips twitched into a slight smile as he reached for her hand. And in the quiet, with the fire burning low, they stayed like that. The silence between them stretched as the fire crackled low in the hearth, casting golden embers over his face once more.
His exhale broke the silence, raking a hand through his hair. “I should go.”
She almost told him to stay but instead, she only nodded.
Kyron pushed himself to his feet, grabbing his cloak and heading for the door. He paused as he reached it, his hand resting on the wood for a fraction longer than necessary. For a moment he hesitated, as if he might turn back.
Without another word he pulled the door open and began to step into the night when Cat sauntered in, of course Perfectly timed. Kyron barely had time to react before the Cait Sídhe effortlessly slipped past him, his tail flicking in what was definitely smug amusement.
“Good talk?” Cat purred. He cast a knowing glance at Sorcha, his silver eyes gleaming in the firelight. “Very productive, I see.”
Kyron huffed a short, humorless laugh, shaking his head as he stepped fully outside. “You’re a menace.”
Cat grinned, all sharp teeth and satisfaction. “I know.”
Kyron hesitated for only a moment longer before closing the door behind him, leaving Sorcha alone with Cat and the dying embers of the fire. The weight of everything settled over her as she let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers against her temples. Gods. That was… a lot.
She turned to Cat, who was already stretching luxuriously on the rug, looking far too pleased with himself.
“What?” she muttered.
Cat merely flicked his tail. “Oh, nothing. Just enjoying the show.”
Sorcha groaned, throwing a pillow at him.
Cat dodged it effortlessly, smirking. “A little tense, are we?”
“Cat.”
“Yes, Sunshine?”
She sighed, flopping back against the rug.
“Shut up.”
Cat purred, utterly unbothered. “Never.”
And with that, the fire crackled as the night stretched on, and Sorcha was left with the lingering warmth of what was left unfinished.