Page 96 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
“After my mother died, I felt… helpless.” It’s the truth, and all I want to say, because expanding on it would mean lying again. I’m afraid he’ll press me for more, but he doesn’t.
“I understand the sentiment, and it’s, in a way, the same reason that drove me to enlist.” He pauses, seems to consider whether or not to continue, then he does. “I grew up in Ashen House.”
I let out a small gasp of surprise. Ashen House is an orphanage, the largest in all of Embernia. It houses children who have lost their families due to the war. I’d heard Vaylen didn’t come from money, but I never knew he was destitute.
“I didn’t know,” I manage.
He sets down his plate and dusts his hands. “I don’t like talking about it.”
“You… you don’t have to.”
“I do. I… want to.” He runs stiff fingers through his sun-kissed hair, loosening several strands from their perfect arrangement. “I know about your mother, so I feel it’s fair you know about mine. I never met my father, so I can’t tell you anything about him, but my mother… she was special. We lived in Onyx Crossing by the border, didn’t have much. The town was poor even before the devastating attack from the Screechclaws. When they came, I was nine. I was in school, and she was working. She made pottery, from utilitarian water pots to beautiful vases. She was proud of her talent. She dropped me off that morning, and I never saw her again. The area of town where she worked was…”
He stops and rubs his jaw, clearly upset by the memories of that day. The way his eyes shine and seem to fill with a mixture of anger, frustration, and anguish feels all too familiar. I had no idea we shared a similar kind of pain.
“Vaylen… I’m sorry.” I reach out and take his hand.
His thumb absently caresses my knuckles. “I thought you should know we share the same reason for wanting to destroy those screech bitches.” He smiles sheepishly.
Not exactly. My mother’s loss wasn’t the only thing that drove me to the Academy, so I can’t repay his honesty with my own. Of course, I’ll have no trouble obliterating those monsters for him, for his mother, and anyone else in the same situation. Too many children have been made orphans by our enemies. Though they’re not the only ones hurting children. Our own institutions do that, and perhaps even more than I ever suspected, considering what Zephyros said about all we’ve lost due to the lack of Weavers and Duals.
His head cocks to one side as his mesmerizing eyes rove over my face. “You’re beautiful.”
Moving closer, he lifts his free hand and caresses my cheek.
“I’m about to make your scales rattle, woman.”
“Is that so?”
“It is so. I intend to make sure that from this day forward, only I will suffice for you. I told you… I don’t do anything in half measures, Rhealyn. I’m certainly not about to start with you.”
Slowly, he leans closer and kisses me.
My heart races as his hand cups my face and his lips gently brush against mine. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth and softness of his touch. Our kiss deepens. He pulls me closer, his other hand winding around my waist as he presses me against him. I feel the heat radiating from his body, igniting a fire within me. I run my hands through his hair, tangling my fingers in the silky strands as our tongues dance together in a perfect rhythm.
He breaks apart, his forehead against mine, and whispers, “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”
I smile up at him. “Me too.”
We gaze into each other’s eyes for a long moment, then he shifts positions, crouches by my feet, and begins unlacing my boots.
“What are you doing?” For some reason, the action makes me feel uncomfortable. It’s too… intimate.
“I want every inch of you bare to me, Rhealyn.”
His fingers loosen the laces with dexterous ease. I watch him, mesmerized by his movements as he removes my boots and tosses them aside. Then, he stands and pulls me to my feet. He leans down to kiss me again, his lips trailing down my jawline and neck. Moaning softly, I tilt my head back as he dispenses kisses along my collarbone. His hands roam over my body, leaving a path of fire in their wake. He proceeds to unbuckle my leather jacket, peeling it away and leaving me in my white camisole. Lifting it over my head, he tosses it aside and his eyes hungrily rake over my exposed skin. I shiver under his intense gaze, feeling vulnerable yet incredibly turned on. His hands run up my sides, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my skin. He reaches behind me, unclasping my bra and letting it fall to the ground. I stand before him, exposed and vulnerable. But at that moment, I feel nothing but desire.
His hands cup my breasts, his thumbs circling my hardened nipples. A gasp escapes my lips as he leans down and takes one of them into his mouth, sucking and teasing it with his tongue. My body arches towards him, craving more of his touch.
He switches to my other breast, giving it the same attention as his hands continue to explore the rest of me. One hand travels down to the waistband of my trousers, slowly unbuttoning them while the other squeezes and caresses my breast.
“Why are you still wearing these?” he asks, tugging at the waistband.
I grin mischievously. “Maybe I like the way I look in them.”
His lips twitch into a smirk as he leans in to whisper in my ear, “Trust me, my little mistake, you look even better without them.”
With that, he moves his lips to mine again, kissing me deeply as his hands work to rid me of my trousers and undergarment. I moan softly against his mouth as he pulls them down slowly. His breath hitches at the sight, and he takes a step back to admire me fully. My cheeks flush with embarrassment and arousal under his intense gaze.
