Page 25 of The Spy's Solstice
I bit him harder, tasting a hint of copper. Savoring it.
His answering laugh was dark. “I love that bloodthirsty streak, princess. Never lose it. Go out into the world and cut into it so deeply, your marks will be seen for generations.”
Was he telling me to make the world bleed? I sniffled. That was so fucking sweet. “Where have you been all my life?” He didn’t answer, and I lifted my hand to his face again, learningthe textures of his skin from his forehead to his ears, and every feature of his handsome face.
Then, the fire above our heads flared brightly for a moment, and I could see Serak’s expression clearly for a split second. He was smiling, but he didn’t look happy. He looked pained.
No.Inpain.
I snatched my hands back. “It hurts you when I touch you, doesn’t it?”
“A little,” he admitted ruefully.
“Why?”
He hesitated, his eyes moving over my face as if he was trying to memorize everything about me. “I made a vow to follow the orders of my masters.”
“In Pict.”
He nodded. “I have to take the dagger back. It’s a… holy relic.”
“And you have some kind of magic… curse? You’re in pain until you take it back?”
He nodded, taking a breath like he wanted to say something, or correct me, but he let it out without speaking. I waited for a long moment, then got up, scooted over a few steps, and grabbed the dagger where it had fallen. I returned to his side and handed it to him. It seemed to grow warmer in between our hands as I passed it to him.
“Happy Solstice,” I told him.
“You can’t?—”
“I can. Dash gave it to me, and I’ll give it to you. Something to remember me by.”
He stared down at it. “You already gave me a yellow diamond.”
“That was to pay you back for poisoning you.” I straddled him, taking care not to let my skin touch his.
“I had no idea,” he said, running one hand over my face. “I had no idea someone like you could exist. You’re a contradiction in every possible way. Cruel and kind. Bloodthirsty and gentle. Generous to a fault, and an unrepentant thief. Somber, and filled with mischief.”
The sparks moved from me to him again, and I could almost see them now. Golden, and glowing. The air filled with a scent I couldn’t quite place. It smelled like home, and peace, and something intangible.
Serak leaned toward me. “Kiss me again, little miracle.”
“It’ll hurt you.”
“And heal me, as well.” Fast as a spark from a fire, he had my wrists in his hands, and his lips on mine, and was devouring me, like this was the last time we’d ever be able to do this.
It was, I realized, and let him push me back a little.
He murmured something that sounded like, “Mine,” as he wrapped an arm around my back and waist. Then, “Keep you safe.” Then, a few long kisses later, “Go away.”
Wait.I pulled back, my lips burning, either from the rasp of his short whiskers or something more.
He laughed. “Not you, Ratter,” he murmured, then flinched as the little flame dropped down on his shoulder, right in front of my face. “But it is time to go. Your family will worry. Your crew might kill me if they don’t get to say goodbye.”
“I won’t see you again, will I?”
His only answer was a slow shake of his head, and a whisper of sound. My name? Perhaps, but cut off. He swallowed hard.
“Then one more for the road,” I insisted, moving toward him. I opened my mouth and drew in a small breath, taking in some of the glorious scent that still filled the cellar… and sucked in something else.
