Page 132 of Thorns & Fire
Wren was too hot, her clothes too tight on her sensitive skin.She wanted to rake her nails across him, wanted to feel the thick length of him filling her again.She reached behind her, fumbling for his belt.
But Torj stopped her.‘Bond or not, your pleasure is my pleasure, Embers,’ he said, slowly pumping her with his fingers.
She surrendered to him, tilting her hips to give him better access, allowing the pressure to start building.Every curl of his fingers, every brush against her clit had her writhing.Torj would let her climb the peak of climax, higher and higher until she was panting, and then change his rhythm, slowing down to teasing, luxurious strokes, edging her closer and closer to madness.
‘It feels...’But she didn’t know what it felt like, because it felt like nothing else she’d ever known: a pull between them, stealing the air from her lungs, lighting a fire within.
‘I know,’ he murmured.
Gods, her body came alive in his presence, calling out for his touch, his kiss.She forgot they were on horseback, that she was rocking in the saddle.She forgot they were on a public road, where anyone might pass by.
Wren forgot everything but him.
Her nails dug into the thick muscles of Torj’s thighs, and her head tilted back, leaning against him as he drew out every ripple of pleasure.
The bond flared between them again, gold thread entwining around them once more.
It was beautiful.
And when Wren came apart on his hand, crying out his name, he held her tightly.
CHAPTER 53
Torj
‘What fate has forged, even the Furies cannot sever’
– Tethers and Magical Bonds Throughout History
TORJ KNEW THATthey were riding back into the chaos of Drevenor.He knew that the midrealms were on the brink of conflict once more.Yet he couldn’t contain the joy blossoming within.Wren was in his arms.Wren washis.And nothing in the world could stop that from feelingright.
She sagged against him in the saddle, wrapping him in her scent as the soul bond flickered between them, at last dissipating as it had before.
‘No one can know,’ he said quietly.‘About the soul bond.I don’t want it used against us.’
‘Do you think Silas realized?’she asked, drawing circles on his exposed forearms as he adjusted his grip on the reins.‘When he attacked the hall?’
‘I don’t know...Possibly.’He let out a breath.‘But with an informant inside the academy walls...I think we need to keep it a secret for as long as we can.’
Wren shifted against him.‘The bond, or us being together?’
From behind, he tucked her hair around her ear.‘What do you think, Embers?’
Her whole body rose and fell with her sigh.‘The bond...We actively hide it.In general, though?I think anyone with half a brain could figure out we’re together.But it’s not wise to flaunt it.That would be like lighting a beacon to our weaknesses.We keep things quiet.With all the political unrest now, with...’
‘The Delmirian throne in question?’he finished for her.He had seen her battling with it for weeks.Wilder had filled him in on what Thea had planned: the storm-wielding Warsword was going to take the crown.Thea was going to shoulder the burden she’d dismissed time and time again over the years, and Torj knew that it wasn’t sitting right with Wren.The anguish in her voice confirmed it.
‘Yes,’ she whispered.‘That.’
Even though she was sitting flush against him, Torj needed her closer.He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her to him.‘Whatever you need, Embers.Just know that keeping us secret isn’t born of shame, or fear.I’d sing it from the rooftops if you’d allow it.’
Wren huffed a laugh.‘NowthatI’d pay to see.’
‘Maybe one day.’He nuzzled her neck, still marvelling at the fact that he was able to touch her so freely at last.‘But so long as you know that I love you and I want to be with you, that’s enough for me.’
‘The feeling is mutual, Bear Slayer.’
He smiled into her hair.‘Why do I suddenly like that name again?’
