Page 40 of Song of the Dawn
He kissed me while I laughed, but his lips only caught the corner of my mouth. It was so fast I didn’t have time to appreciate it. Pulling back, he swept my hair off my shoulders. The cool air kissed my skin, pursued by his heated kisses along my neck, down my collarbone, and over my shoulders. I shuddered. “Ezra,” I moaned.
At the sound of his name, he paused and drew back, his chest heaving as he caught my eye. A wicked glint lingered there before he twisted his fingers through my hair and kissed me hard. My fingers fumbled for purchase, and I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see. I was lost, swept away in a sea of him and only him. Impatience made me tug at his clothes, barely aware of the dancers and merriment a few feet away.
Ezra laughed, his lips grazing my ear as he whispered, “Later. For now let’s enjoy the dance, the moonlight, and the sweet elixir.”
With that promise, he pulled me back into the dancing circle, his firm hands holding me steady as we twirled, spinning, caught in the endless dance. It felt like a wave that we were unable to escape. The pressure built, moving us back and forth. More wine was pressed into my hands, and a sweet tang shuddered down my spine.
Eventually odd creatures appeared at the edge of the glade. Women with antlers sprouting from their heads, men with hooves for feet, and bearded men no taller than children. People who were not possible. Violet rays swayed and flashed, but I didn’t care as long as Ezra’s warm hands held mine.
The night deepened, and as time passed, I could not tell where I ended and the other dancers began. The throb was both within me and outside of me, and I couldn’t stop laughing at everything and everyone. My breath came ragged and harsh, and I was thirsty, oh so thirsty and warm. Even the breeze couldn’t cool what lay inside, a surging passion that fizzed and built until it exploded. Pops of brilliance shone in my eyes before the world turned black and I fell down, down, down into bliss from which I wasn’t sure there would be an awakening.
Mila
The pounding of my head woke me, and agony pulsed through my veins. I moaned, pressing my hand over my eyes, as if that movement could pause the drum that beat inside my mind. Every muscle in my body was sore, and my feet ached. Slowly the night returned. Dancing. Drinking. Kissing. Ezra!
Squinting, I peeked with one eye open and saw a dim room. The curtains were drawn, which was a relief. I closed my eyes again and with a jolt realized, from the briefest glimpse I’d seen, I was not in my room. Even the bed was different, soft and gentle, luring me deeper into comfort. The pillow felt like silk, and the sheets were cool beneath my body. My dress was bunched around my waist and had slipped off my shoulders. It was likely creased, maybe even ripped.
Lying still, I took slow breaths until the pounding receded into a dull thud. Squinting again, I opened both eyes this time. It was an enchanting bower with heavy dark curtains covering the window. Pillows were piled around me on the enormous bed, and a painting hung on the wall in front of me. It was of the dawn golden-and-pink rays shining over glistening waters. My heart softened at the sight of its beauty. The room was cozy, quiet, smelling of lavender and wood. That was what it was. A faint hint of wood surrounded me.
Testing my body to ensure the headache wouldn’t return, I gingerly sat up. A leaf fell out of my hair, and twigs were on the floor. What had I done last night? My throat ached. I was desperate for water. The door was open, leading to a hall beyond. I glanced around one more time. I’d been with Ezra last night. My heart constricted. Was I in Ezra’s tower? In the workshop he’d promised to show me but only when he was ready?
I stilled, for I wasn’t in the right mindset for secrets, but perhaps water would refresh me. I scanned the room once more, my eyes landing on a robe lying on the foot of the bed. Quickly I wiggled out of my dress, leaving it on the floor. The hem was muddy, and it looked like it had been wet at one time. How drunk had I been? Tying the robe over my nakedness, I attempted to untangle my hair but soon gave up.
After traipsing across the floor on bare feet, I peeked out of the door, eyes going wide. Daylight crept through the windows of a circular room, displaying the clean stone floor, a water pump and sink, a pile of clean dishes, a cupboard, and root vegetables hanging from the rafters. A round table, covered in scrolls, sat in the middle of the room, and on it was a pitcher, full of water, I hoped. Crossing the floor to it, I was relieved to see it was water. After pouring myself a cup, I drained it dry and was starting on a second when I heard a step.
An arched door on the other side of the room swung open, revealing a spiral staircase leading down and Ezra.
“I didn’t expect you to wake so soon,” he said, shutting the door behind him.
He looked magnificent, dressed in loose trousers and a light shirt. He was barefoot, and I’d never seen him so relaxed and comfortable. Running a hand through his hair, he gave me that dimpled smile, and my heart melted. I wanted to embrace him, kiss him, then have him rip off the robe and make love to me on the floor. Something inside my chest was ballooning and expanding. The irony of my situation was not lost on me, with my desire not to fall in love or repeat the mistakes my mother had made. But every step with Ezra was perfect. He was unique, although a bit of mystery remained. “I was so thirsty, and…I…er…don’t remember everything that happened last night.”
“It’s the wine. It’s sweet but goes straight to the head.” He tapped his skull. “We danced, we drank, and when you passed out, I brought you here and put you to bed.”
“Is this your tower?”
He winked. “Yes, we are on the top floor. I like the views from here, but I built the bedroom to allow me to sleep, even during daylight.”
Suddenly I felt shy. I was in his home, wearing his robe. It smelled like him. “You finally decided to show me where you live.”
“Yes.” He tilted his head, studying me, then crossed the room to me.
Sliding his arms around my waist, he pulled me close and held me tight.
“I haven’t washed.” I cringed.
“You smell like the forest,” he told me, “like a wild dancer. I like you like this.” Leaving one hand on my hip, he moved his other to the ties of the robe. “Are you wearing anything under this?”
Suddenly bold, I said, “No, but maybe you should check, just to ensure I’m telling you the truth.”
His eyes lit up. “You are a tempting creature.” He gave the knot a tug. “Let me feed you first. You must have a headache.”
“The water is helping.”
“Food will help more. Sit, you’re my guest today.”
“All day, no work?”
“No work. It’s the custom after the harvest. We worked hard for days, and today is a day of rest. Moses makes a generous meal and leaves it on the bar, where guests can help themselves. No one is required to do anything, aside from recover from the night’s antics.”
