Page 54 of The Warrior's Oath
“Here?” she replied, looking at the gaping chasm. “Why here?”
“The roots of these trees, do you see the angle at which they grow?”
“Sure, I guess.”
“This is what I have been looking for, along with a narrower gap for us to traverse. The roots are positioned in a manner that will give the trees closest to the edge more than adequate leverage to support the force exerted when we cross.”
“You mean when weswingacross.”
“Yes, clearly.”
Nyota carefully crept toward the edge and peered over. She hurried back, tripping over her feet in her urgency. Her stomach did a flip-flop, and she nearly vomited.
“Nope. Can’t do it.”
He took her hands in his, a jolt of heat rising in her belly at his touch. Korvin, if he felt it as well, managed to show no signs of it. He turned her hands over in his, squeezing and feeling them in his own. “Of course, you can. Your body is sound, and your hands are strong and unharmed.”
He released his warm grip and slid the rope from his body.
“You don’t get it. It’s too high. I can’t.”
“You can,” he said, tying a thick length of wood as long as his forearm to one end of the rope. “Stand clear,” he instructed, then spun the rope a few times before lobbing the weighted end high through the air.
His aim was true on the first attempt, the rope sailing right through a Y-shaped crook in a stout tree’s branches on the other side. He tugged hard, making sure the rope was secure, then, when he was satisfied, drove a stake into the ground and wound the other end around it.
“We should not delay,” he said. “Come, I will show you how to best hold the rope.”
Nyota felt her legs tremble in spite of herself. “I-I can’t. I just can’t.”
“You can.”
“No. I really can’t.” She sank to the ground. “Go on without me. I’ll try to find another way.”
He stared at her hard a long moment, then sighed. “Very well. I will not leave you behind. It is my obligation.”
“But you need to cross.”
“And I shall.Weshall.” He bent down and grasped her firmly, one hand around her back, one under her ass as he lifted her easily. “Hold tight,” he instructed, pressing her chest to his.
Instinctively, her legs parted, wrapping around him and squeezing tight. She could smell the musk of his sweat, spicy and clean from the day’s exertion. His body was hot to the touch, her arms and legs absorbing his heat as they held him in a strong embrace.
“Why—”
“I must keep my pack securely on my back for proper balance.”
“But won’t I—”
“You will not throw off my movement,” he said, his breath hot on her cheek, his lips so close to hers.
Nyota felt a surge of electric tingling between her legs as he gathered up the end of the rope and walked toward the split in the ground, her clit pressing hard against him with every step he took.
Her nipples were hard, jutting out and pressing into his chest. She could feel his heartbeat thundering against her body, so powerful, yet so calm and steady. Just like he was. She turned her face, looking him in the eyes. He met her gaze, a twinge shooting through her chest, running deep into her body when he did.
Nyota swallowed hard. Korvin did too.
His expression shifted abruptly, his eyes moving to the chasm. “Hold firm,” was all he said before leaping into the air.
The sensation of weightlessness was less disconcerting pressed against his muscular body. In fact, the feeling was actually enjoyable as she rode him across the gorge. Her heart was pounding hard and fast, but the traverse was only part of the reason.
