Page 137 of Kingdoms of Night

He dragged her back against one of the sturdier walls. Shielding her, he hugged her close. He covered her as best as he could, keeping any debris from hitting her.

The shaking stopped.

He lingered against her. The danger had passed. They needed to go. Still, he couldn’t move.

She shivered against him. “Was that an earthquake or something overhead?”

“There was another, wasn’t there? Last night. A small earthquake.” He frowned as he tried to recall. “With the spriggan.”

“Maybe.” She didn’t move away. “I didn’t know if it came from the spriggan or not.”

“Hard to tell the difference,” he said softly. A little dust and silt marred her cheek. He brushed it away slowly, her skin smooth against his fingers.

She stared up at him, her eyes focused on his mouth, his eyes, his mouth again.

She hadn’t moved away. Why hadn’t she moved away?

His pulse quickened. “I smell a little fresh air,” he said slowly. “I think we’re close to the entrance.”

She nodded, her eyes soft and her palms pressed against his chest.

“Very close, actually.” He moistened his lips, his focus now on hers. If they were going to get out of the cave, he had to let her go. Yet she fit so perfectly in his arms. He leaned closer, savoring her warmth and the curves of her body.

Did she want him to kiss her? His fingers splayed along her back, keeping her close. But what if she didn’t want him?

Then her eyebrow arched, and she bit her lower lip.

That was it.

He thrust his mouth to hers, inhaling her scent and tasting her. Gods, she was intoxicating.

She moaned into his mouth and pressed against him. It was all the encouragement he needed.

Her lips were hot against his, and she claimed him as much as he did her, her fingers catching in his hair and digging into his shirt. He pushed her up against the stone wall and clutched her closer, pressing his body to hers and feeling every pulse and breath. Need charged through his veins.

She clung to him and leaned in closer, her lips catching his and teasing as much as satisfying.

Yes. Gods above, she tasted wonderful. A dull roaring rose within him, pounding in his blood and filling his ears as everything narrowed to her and her alone. Her scent filled his lungs, and he inhaled deep, stoking the heat that raged within him.

Yes. All that mattered was now. And—

Loud barks shattered the reverie. He halted as she pulled back.

What are you two doing?Hawthorn demanded.You’re taking too long. Don’t you want to come out and see the sunset?

Slow pokes, come and see, run in the flowers,Buttercup called.

He rubbed the back of his neck. They either had the best timing, or the worst. Right now, with painful need raging through his veins, he was definitely siding with the worst.

Idalno stepped back, shaking her head as she ran her fingers through her braids. Deep color brightened her smooth, dark cheeks.

“We’re coming,” he called, turning back toward the wolves. He tried to reach for her before she moved away, but he was too slow. “Idalno—”

Are you?Hawthorn wagged his tail as he stood at the bend of the cavern.We can leave if you want.

Why would we—? Oh!Buttercup giggled as she appeared next to Hawthorn.

Stop it.Feron glared at them both. The two only wagged their tails. While it was normal for them to look like they were smiling, it especially looked like it now.

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