Page 130 of Thorns & Fire
CHAPTER 52
Wren
‘When twin flames dance, time itself bows to watch’
– Tethers and Magical Bonds Throughout History
HOW HAD SHElived without his kiss, his touch?The feel of his skin against hers was like an answer to a long-forgotten question.
The gold thread of their soul bond shone brightly, in defiance of all they had withstood together.She felt that bond thrumming in her chest, connecting her to the Warsword who held her.His essence was in her blood, in her bones, in the very fabric of her existence somehow.
Still inside her, Torj kissed her slowly, thoroughly, as though they had all the time in the world.As though they weren’t standing in the ruins of the enemy’s alchemy workshop.
Wren deepened the kiss, revelling in the taste of him, in the knowledge that he was hers.Her fingers tangled in his hair.
Gold will turn to silver.
She banished the words from her mind, losing herself in Torj as their kiss evolved into a frenzy of fresh desire.Wet with his release, she could feel him hardening again inside her and she rolled her hips experimentally.
Torj groaned.‘You have no idea how much I want to stay here and fuck you senseless...’
Wren brushed the loose lock of silver from his brow.‘But...?’
‘It’s not safe.They’ll have reported the attack by now.We need to get out of here so we can have a force lying in wait.Wilder will have put it in motion already.’Torj lifted her off him, placing her carefully on the ground.He didn’t release her completely, though, holding her steady while she regained feeling in her legs and cleaned herself up.
Around them, the golden thread dissipated.
Wren reached out to touch the final fading remnants, but her fingers hit only air.‘I still don’t fully understand it...’she murmured, looking up at Torj in wonder.‘I thought you severed it?’
‘I did.’There was regret in Torj’s sea-blue gaze.‘Perhaps some bonds can’t be broken.’
Wren cupped his face.‘I’m glad.’
Torj placed a hand over hers, pressing his brow to hers.With such reverence, he said, ‘I love you.’
‘I love you, too.’Wren’s cheeks ached.Had it been so long since she’d smiled like this?
Torj traced a thumb over her lips.‘There’s nothing more beautiful...’
Wren’s eyes burned.But the tears that threatened to fall were foreign to her, unlocked by something other than grief and rage.
Happiness.
Wasthiswhat that felt like?
Torj laced his fingers through hers, pulling her towards the stairs.‘Let’s go, Embers.’
When they emerged from the abandoned cobbler’s shop, Wren was startled to find that it was daylight outside.It felt as though weeks had passed; so much had changed.
‘Should we wait for Roderick?’she said with a glance at the clocktower looming above the underbelly of Old Town.‘He should be passing through on the next hour.’
Torj laughed.‘We’re not sitting in the back of some cart.I’ve left Tucker at the stables.You’re riding with me, Embers.’
The city passed them by.Sharing the saddle with Torj was different this time.Wren sat between the cradle of his muscular thighs with joy sparking in her heart.The press of his chest against her back was solid, reassuring, and he held the reins loosely with one hand, the other free to roam her body.
‘I can’t get enough of you,’ he murmured, brushing his lips against the side of her neck.
‘I can see that,’ Wren replied, leaning into his touch.‘But perhaps we should wait until we’re not in such a crowded place?’
