Page 10 of The Naiad's Lover

He was using his greater height in an attempt to dominate me.

He lifted his chin and looked down the length of his elegant nose, let his long hair swing forwards to demonstrate that he had to look down in the first place, and held his shoulders stiffly to emphasise how wide they were.

It was adorable.

I curled a hand around the back of his neck and pulled him close to bite his plump lips with a quick, loving nip.

His hips bumped forwards reflexively.

“Never doubt it,” I said.

He followed my mouth with his when I pulled away. I shot him a smile and turned back for the cabin.

He caught up with me in two long strides and took my hand, holding it tightly as we walked on. After a short silence, he said, “Very well.”

“Very well?”

He was already shaking his head. “No. Forget it. I changed my mind.”

His grip grew tighter, almost to the point of being painful. I didn’t say anything.

He heaved a big sigh and drooped a little.

“Very well,” he said again, tacking on another sigh.

I hummed inquiringly. We were almost home.

“You can…he can…”

We walked up the porch steps, still hand in hand. Sayan turned me and pushed me back against the door. His beautiful eyes bored into mine.

“Oh, Sayan,” I said, reaching up to cup his cheek. He was such an expressive creature. “There is no need for this. Lars is a friend.”

“You love him.” A large hand settled over my heart. He flexed his fingers, spreading them wide and digging them in lightly. “If I could, I would pluck him from your chest.”

I gave a shocked little laugh.

“I mean it.”

“I believe you do. Hopefully, one day you won’t. When you meet him?—”

He gave a disgusted snort.

I laughed again. “When you meet him?—”

“I do notwishto meet him.”

“That’s unfortunate, because meet him you will. As soon as he stops sending me letters five times a week and comes here himself.”

“He should stay in Hallevalt. Where he belongs.” Sayan sank his weight against me, pinning me to the door. He was mostly dry now, while my clothes still clung to my damp body. I was beginning to feel clammy. “Where he belongs, and you do not.”

I had visited Lars and Hallevalt not that long ago.

Sayan hadn’t taken the separation well.

I caught his hips and eased him back.

He frowned but he didn’t complain. Letting us in, I headed for the bathroom and a clean, dry towel. He stopped me with an arm around my waist before I got very far.

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