Page 97 of Shardless

Taly’s eyes followed him as he slowly stalked across the room. “Unlike some,” she said, unaffected or maybe just ignoring the hungry look in his eyes, “I don’t just jump into people’s beds uninvited. That’s called manners, Em. But then again…”

Her breaths grew shorter and more rapid, the generous swell of her breasts rising and falling beneath the thin fabric of her shirt, as he placed a knee on the side of the bed. Taking his time, he stretched out beside her, getting just a little too close to still be considered strictlyfriendly. He wanted to crowd her, to push her. He wanted to see how far she was willing to take whatever the hell was happening between them. Knowing Taly, she wouldn’t hesitate to slap him back into place if he stepped out-of-line. But she didn’t. Her cheeks once again flushed a very fetching shade of rosy pink, and her body tensed beside him.

“But then again?” Skye prompted, propping himself up as he began to toy with a stray lock of her hair. The golden strands were mostly dry now and felt like silk between his fingers.

“Well…” Taly licked her lips, drawing his eyes down. And for the first time, he noticed the way she had started fidgeting with the pendant around her neck—a seemingly insignificant gesture, but one he knew well. She was nervous. Maybe even scared. That tiny epiphany was enough to break through the haze of lust clouding his better judgment.

“It’s cold and raining outside,” she said hesitantly. “A soft bed is far preferable to having to bunk down in wet hay with 150 of my new closest friends. Even if it does haveyouin it.”

Skye laughed, a throaty, rumbling sound that vibrated his chest. Even if his body was screaming at him to take this woman immediately and without hesitation, he needed to pull back. Yes—he wanted her. He could at least be honest with himself about that at this point. But he was forgetting one very important thing—she wascompletely inexperienced.

As that small yet critical detail surfaced in his mind, he realized he would have to slow down—at least for tonight. The part of him that was still thinking clearly knew that this was neither the time nor place to be making overtures. It would be too easy to go too far too fast, and he couldn’t mess this up. Not with her.

With an exaggerated yawn, Skye collapsed next to her and buried his face in the pillow, smiling when he heard her sigh in what a part of him desperately hoped was disappointment. “Sleeping next to me is preferable to sleeping in a barn with hundreds of strangers. I suppose that’s high praise coming from you.”

Taly shrugged noncommittally as she sat up and pulled the blanket over them. Skye’s shoulder started protesting, and he was once again struck with just how much he hated not being able to use his magic. He wriggled, trying to get comfortable, but the fabric of his shirt tightened around his wounds uncomfortably. With a growl, he ripped the offending garment over his head and turned to lie on his back.

Taly eyed him in irritation. “Really?”

Skye reached out and pulled her across the bed. She gave a startled squeal, but she didn’t fight him. “This is technically my bed, so I get to set the rules. The dress code isclothing-optional.”

“You’re such an ass,” came her muttered reply as she curled into his side, apparently not nearly as upset by his half-clothed state as she let on.

“I have one of those, yes,” Skye said with a smirk. “And while it’s very flattering that you think it should define me, I do have other charms.”

She was quiet for a moment. Just when Skyethought she had already drifted off to sleep, she asked, “What would you have regretted if you died today?”

“What kind of question is that?” Skye asked, slightly taken aback by the sudden change in topic.

Taly snuggled even further into his side, resting her head against his chest. Her fingers began tracing the lines tattooed beneath his collarbone. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot since the harpy. What I would’ve regretted. Funnily enough, it wasn’t the things I did. It’s what I didn’t do. The risks I didn’t take.”

“I get that.” Looking down at the blonde head of tangled hair, Skye felt his chest tighten uncomfortably. After today, he knew exactly what he would’ve regretted. “I guess… well, there’s this girl…”

Taly chuckled softly. “Just one?”

Skye resisted the urge to thump her on the nose. “Yes—just one. Trust me, where she’s concerned, one is all I can handle.”

“This must be some girl then.” A wide yawn cut her off, and she stretched her legs, tangling her feet with his.

“She is,” Skye agreed readily. “She really is. I just never saw it before. I don’t know when my feelings for her started to change, but they did. And today made me realize that I would regret not taking the chance to find out if she feels the same way. Even if I just end up making a fool of myself in the end.”

“Please tell me this dream girl of yours isn’t Jezebel.” Taly’s words were starting to slur. She was already half-asleep, the exhaustion of the day finally settling upon her.

“It’s notJezebel,” Skye replied with a snort. “And that’s still not her name, by the way.”

“Says you,” Taly mumbled almost petulantly in her half-conscious state.

“This girl puts Jezebel to shame,” Skye whispered, knowing full well that Taly probably wouldn’t remember this part of their conversation come morning. “Hey, Tink?”

“Hmm?” With great effort, Taly turned her head to blearily stare up at him.

Reaching out, Skye tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, gently thumping her on the nose when her eyes began to droop. “I’m never letting you get away from me ever again. You’re stuck with me now.”

She gave him a sleepy smile as she draped an arm across his waist and pulled him closer. “Good,” came her breathy reply as her eyes finally closed in sleep.

Chapter 21

-An excerpt from the imperial scrivener’s records, housed at the Arylaan Archive

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