Page 72 of Cage of Destiny
His lips slammed down on hers, histongue filling her mouth, the faintest taste of ale on him.Allyssa’s lips moved with his. Reaching up, she laced her fingersinto the long locks of his hair, pulling his head closer to hers,as if she could melt them together. His hands slid around herwaist, yanking her body against his. His lips were hard, rough,wanting, needing. She could barely breathe. Even though it was coldout, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin. Allyssa’s fingerstrailed down his neck, along his shoulders, and to his chest. Hegrowled, the sound startling her.
He leaned back a few inches, breathingheavily. “I’m sorry,” he said with a wry smile. “I got a littlecarried away.”
Blimey. She wasn’t done with him. She wanted more. A lot more.Slipping her fingers into the waist of his pants, she tugged himcloser and tilted her head up, her lips brushing his. This time,the kiss was slower with less urgency. He lifted her up. Withouthesitation, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.Her back thudded against the building as Kerdan pinned her inplace. All she could think about, feel, see, and smell was Kerdan.Her body felt like it was on fire as he kissed her neck, his teethnipping at her ear before returning to her mouth. She neverimagined she would feel this way about him.
He pulled away, glancing at the end ofthe buildings to the street where a man passed by. “We should go,”he whispered.
“No.” She groaned as he sether back on her feet.
“How much did you drink?”Kerdan asked. He held her hand as they walked toward the northernedge of the town.
The question surprised her.“Why?”
“I’m afraid your judgmentis impaired by alcohol.” He squeezed her hand.
“Yet, you still readilykissed me.” She smacked his chest, trying not to laugh.
“I thought it might be theonly chance I had. And once, just once, I wanted to know what itfelt like to kiss you.” He kept his focus straight ahead, notlooking her way.
Her amusement at his audacity faded.How long had he felt this way? This entire time, she’d only thoughtof him as a friend. Over the past few weeks, she’d felt a shift,but hadn’t understood what it was. Didn’t want to admit what shewas experiencing. Didn’t want to be the only one whofell.
When they reached the edge of town,Kerdan surveyed the area to make sure no one was watching them.Once satisfied, he led the way into the forest.
“I wonder what my fatherwill think,” Allyssa mused, following close behind him.
“What do youmean?”
“Well, you’re returning tocamp half-naked, and I can’t stop smiling.” Neither her father,Neco, nor Nathenek would take too kindly to his appearance. AndOdar. She stumbled but caught herself. How would they explain whathappened at the tavern? He’d fought for sport and lost his shirt.Darmik would never believe them. She bumped into Kerdan’s back.He’d stopped walking, and she hadn’t even noticed.
“Can’t stop smiling?” hequestioned. “Because you’re happy or you anticipate your fatherwalloping my arse?”
“I’m the happiest I’ve beensince you plucked me out of the dungeon.” Logically, Allyssa hadknown she would recover from the ordeal. Yet, she’d wondered if shewould ever feel normal again after being tortured, nearly killed,and having her heart broken. She feared she’d never be the same.And while that was true to an extent—she wasn’t the same person shewas before this began—it didn’t mean she was less of a person. Nowshe was stronger, more confident, and understood a great deal aboutthe world around her.
Which meant she knew what she wasdoing with Kerdan; right now, that was letting him in. Not becausethey were going to align their kingdoms or save his people, butbecause she liked and cared for him. The realization shocked andcomforted her.
He turned around and brought his handsup, cupping her cheeks. The trees were so thick, little moonlightreached them, making it hard to see his face. “Allyssa.” Her namerolled off his tongue, sending a chill through her body. “When Itook you from the dungeon, I never imagined we’d be here like this.You have no idea how you’ve turned my world upside down. All Icared about was commanding the army, fighting battles, and seekingrevenge on Jana. Then you came blasting into my life, throwing meoff balance. I never wanted to find love. I thought women were anuisance. They got in my way. I was so solely focused on my endgoal—killing Jana—that I had forgotten to live.” He chuckled, thesound reverberating through his chest. “All my mother wanted wasfor me to find someone like you. I thought she was a dreamer. Then,when she died, the dream died with her. So when you came barrelinginto my world, you changed everything. You saved me.”
His admission turned her legs tobutter. The only thing keeping her upright was his hold on her. Noone had ever said something so kind, so powerful, and so true toher before. Kerdan tilted his head, lowering his lips to hers. Hekissed her slowly, causing a deep need to build in her body. Whenshe placed her hands on his chest, she could feel his heartpounding. She slid her hands over his smooth skin, marveling at howwarm he was even though the night air was chilly.
“We should get back tocamp,” Kerdan said between kisses, “before someone comes lookingfor us.”
“I think we can spare fivemore minutes.” She didn’t want him to let go—didn’t want this nightto end.
“My self-control won’t lastthat long.”
Kerdan wanted herthatway? While she knewOdar had enjoyed kissing her, she’d never felt desired like she didright now.
“I’ve wanted to do this fora long time,” he said, sliding his hands down her arms. “It hasbeen torture being around you without being with you.” He took holdof her hand and led the way through the forest toward theircamp.
“Really?” she asked. Whilestaying with him in Clovek, she never got the impression he wasattracted to her.
“From the moment I saw youwield a sword, I’ve wanted to throw you on my bed and have my waywith you.”
Holyhell. Had he seriously just said that toher?
A twig snapped, and Kerdan froze. Achill descended over the forest. Allyssa no longer heard an owlhooting or any of the other noises that had been present onlymoments before. Neither of them moved as they surveyed the area.She didn’t see anything unusual. Yet, something felt wrong.Releasing Kerdan’s hand, she reached down and withdrew the daggerfrom her boot.
“We’re surrounded,” Kerdanwhispered.
