Page 163 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“Children or… other things?”
Aislinn pointed to the small bottle beside her bed. “Turns out dwarves have non-magic ways of guarding against such things, thankfully.”
“Ah. Terrific.”
“You seem nervous. Are you all right?”
“I have something to tell you.”
“What? Like it’s your first time?”
Caer stilled.
Aislinn blinked. “Is it?”
“So, in the mortal world—”
“You said you wished I ‘was your first of many things’!All suave and cocky-like! And you’re insanely attractive! What was I supposed to think—”
“I was trying to be all smooth, I’m sorry!”
Aislinn threw up her hands. “No,” she said, “this is on me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”
Caer went quiet for a moment. “Things are different in the mortal world,” he explained. “There’s no guard against children or disease. It is wise to be careful. Of course, offers have been there, and I’ve some experience in some other areas, but every time I’ve come close to the act itself, the consequences—especially for her—have prevented me from going ahead with it.”
Aislinn bent against him. “You’re a good man, Caer.”
“I rather think considering the consequences of your actions should be the bare minimum,” he said, “but thank you.” He paused, searching her face again. “So… still want to go through with this?”
“I do. Do you?”
Caer’s throat trembled. His lips came up to hers again. “More than I have ever wanted anything ever before in my life.” His hand slid to the front of her robe, playing with the ribbon that held it together. “May I?”
Aislinn nodded, finally feeling beyond words.
He peeled it away, shucking it from her shoulders, until it pooled around her feet.
She wasn’t wearing anything else.
Caer’s eyes widened into liquidous pools.
“I know I’m not as buxom as most mortal women—”
“Are you seriously questioning how much I like you? Right now?”
“Yes,” she said. “Maybe. No. I just—whydoyou like me?”
“Putting aside your radiance,” he said, cupping her face, “you are brave—” he kissed her neck, “and strong—” another kissed brushed her jaw, “and fearlessly fearful, and funny, andgood,and—”
His lips brushed the thin, flat planes of her stomach, and he inched her towards the bed, moving her legs over his taut, wide shoulders, and bringing his mouth so close to her centre that she felt his breath inside her. She quivered in anticipation, thoughts turning to liquid as he kissed herthere,working at her middle with expert attention as her fingers balled into the sheets and she cried out, shattering there with his head between her legs.
“Experienced in some areas, you say?” she managed, her voice hoarse.
Caer grinned wickedly, climbing up onto the bed, his body a cage over hers.
“My turn,” she whispered, going for his trousers.
Caer shook his head. “No,” he said, “if it’s all the same to you. I want to be inside you. I’m breaking with the want, Ais. Please.”
