Page 172 of Daughter of the Serpent

The corners of his mouth lifted, just slightly, but it was his eyes that shimmered with the truth beneath his words.

“I’d rather enjoy whatever time I have with you.”

The light caught in his gaze - amber and gold in the morning sun - and before she could respond, his lips brushed hers.

Her breath caught. Heat bloomed in her chest, uncoiling and spreading, loosening the knot of disappointment that had started to twist within her. His kiss softened everything. The doubt. The questions. Even the fear of what would come next.

Her heart thudded beneath her ribs. Her cheeks flushed with warmth she couldn't hide, not under that gaze that seemed to strip her bare.

“I wish I could stop time,” she breathed, voice barely more than a whisper. “I don’t want to wake from this dream,” She reached forhim, her fingertips curling gently into the strands of thick dark hair. “Not yet.”

He nodded, a slow, aching motion. And in that small movement, she saw it - that same dread of the coming tide, the same desire to hold time still. A certain knowing darkened his eyes, something elusive and quiet, like he already understood what it meant to lose moments like this.

“Then let us stay in it,” he murmured, his voice as soft as breath, “a little longer.”

And then his lips were on hers again - slow, and tender, but with a hunger that bloomed beneath the softness. He kissed her like he was memorizing her, like he could somehow make time pause just by holding her close enough. The ache from last night flared to life, a deep, insatiable yearning that neither of them could chase away. His lips worshipped hers with aching devotion, slow and coaxing, as his arm looped around her waist, drawing her tighter.

She didn’t move - not even a breath’s width - afraid to break the spell. Every inch of him pressed against her, his thigh moulding to hers, his hand a tether sliding along her spine. Her skin prickled beneath his fingertips, every caress igniting something raw and electric. She arched into him instinctively, her body responding before her mind could catch up, a soft flush spreading across her cheeks like the rising dawn.

He pulled back, only for but a moment and a certain amusement filled his expression,

“I like to see you blush,” he murmured, voice thick and curling like smoke through her thoughts.

A tremor passed through her. Her fingers tightened against his chest. She could feel his smile against her skin just before his tongue traced the delicate curve of her neck, slow and maddening. She shivered, a small gasp freeing from her lips.

“But I especially like the little sounds you make when I touch you.” His voice was husky against her ear, and she could feel her body respond.

“I can’t wait to show you all the pleasures you’ve been denied.” His voice was a purr against her.

And then the horn blew - distant but unmistakable, echoing across the morning stillness.

They froze. Their heads turned toward the sound.

Sylvie sighed. “The temple.”

Axel’s jaw tightened.

“They’ll be gathering the delegates for their final sacrifices.”

As tradition demanded, each delegate would spend this final day in prayer and offering to the gods, and the night with those they loved.

Her fingers gripped his arm.

For a moment, she had forgotten. Lost in his touch, in him, in the fragile illusion they’d built between heartbeats and breath. But reality crept back in.

Tomorrow, she would board the ship to face the trials, and offer herself to fate.

The thought hollowed her chest.

“I should go,” she murmured, a sad smile flickering across her face, fragile as glass. “I don’t want to offend the gods.”

He gave a reluctant nod, reaching for his shirt, but his eyes never left her. “Then I’ll come with you.”

The offer lingered in the air between them, warm and steady - but she hesitated. The programmed urge to saynowelled up inside her, hot and urgent. The need to avoid added attention from the villagers, the temple, especially since all that had happened. Especially since she never came back last night. Her lips parted.

But reality rose like a tide.

Despite Rederick granting her permission for the trials, there was no guarantee that if she went back, she would be safe.

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