Page 110 of Frost Bound

Instead, she began to hum and then sing.

Neve closed his eyes and listened to her song. His hearts slowed and so did his breathing. The tension fled his body, and he opened his eyes. Hisniliavestared up at the ceiling, lost to her song. He watched her face as she sang the haunting melody. The last note hovered in the air, and he kept silent for a minute longer, not wanting to break the spell.

“Lovely,” he whispered.

Her attention darted to his face and her cheeks pinked. “My mother used to sing it.”

He had a hard time imagining Allium comforting any child, but he was happy that Dahlia had received that much from her mother at least. She tried to wiggle away, but he settled his right hand around her back and on her hip, keeping her in place.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice a little higher.

“Resting,jaivelle. Lie here and watch the sun rise over the lake with me.”

She huffed, but stayed in place. “I’m sorry for sleeping on you. I promise not to do it again.”

He arched a brow. “Dahlia, let’s stop pretending you haven’t been sneaking away from my side of the bed for the last several fortnights, shall we?”

Her eyes rounded comically, showing more of the white. “You knew?”

Neve grinned. “I’m an early morning riser.”

Her cheeks turned a bright red. She looked up at him sheepishly. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. If I had minded, I would have deposited you on the couch.”

The sun crested the mountains behind the palace, the ice and snow shimmering and sparkling outside. The majesty of his kingdom still took his breath away.

“It’s magical,” Dahlia whispered.

He looked down at thevallesand couldn’t help but agree. She caught his look and stared. His gaze lazily trailed the slope of her nose, the curve of her cheek, the winged bow of her upper lip. She licked her bottom lip, and heat curled low in his belly.

“Can I touch your face?” he whispered, giving into his longing.

She blinked slowly but nodded. Neve rolled toward her slightly and cupped her face. His palm covered her entire cheek, temple, and ear. He ran his fingers through her wavy hair, tracing a nail along the rounded shell of her ear devoid of any piercings. She shivered, and he paused. What was that? Neve did it again, smiling when goosebumps broke out along her arms. His littleniliavehad sensitive ears like Loriians.

Next, he sketched her arched brows and along the slope of her nose. He twitched when she inhaled sharply as he brushed his thumb along her bottom lip. Why the devil did he want to bite it? His people didn’t mate with their mouths likesaloes. The idea should have disgusted him, but all he wanted was to press his lips against hers. Tokissher.

A rumble started in his chest, and she placed a hand over his upper heart. He glanced down at it as her fingers flexed. Was she trying to hold him back or urge him closer? The heat of desire grew inside him as his attention moved back to her lips.

He wanted, noneeded, to taste her there.Now.

Neve leaned closer, and just before his lips touched her own, she placed her fingertips over his lips. He froze as she stared up at him without a shred of emotion. His chest seized, embarrassment crashing over him. Neve was acting like a youth coming into his first heat.

“I know today won’t be easy for you,” she whispered, her eyes darting across his face. “I’m your friend, Neve.” He closed his eyes, loving the way she said his name. “Trials can make people do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

His eyes snapped open. She thought he was trying to mate her mouth because he was worried about his sister and needed a distraction.

She’s given you an out. Take it.

“You’re right,” he rasped.

He leaned away and flopped onto his back, tossing an arm over his eyes.Qov, he was an idiot. Why in godsteethwould he react in such a way by touching her like that?

Because you want your valles.

The covers rustled and he trapped the snarl in his throat as Dahlia scooted away, leaving his side cold. She cleared her throat, and he lifted his arm to find her sitting cross-legged next to him.

“What, Dahlia?”

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