The grumble of his voice low in his throat as his lips met mine again, and again.
I pulled my face back, not realizing I’d been holding my breath, and he grunted, “Should I stop?”
“Gods, no, please…” I didn’t wait for him to continue and claimed his lips with mine. “Never stop,” I begged.
He buried one hand deeper in my hair while his other hand gripped my hip, dangerously close to my rear end. I wished I could tear off the cloak and feel his hands on my dress, on my skin. Even the thought made my knees weak with need. I could hardly support my own weight, so I leaned into him, following his lead.
“Open to me.” He spoke the words against my mouth, and for a minute, I was lost. I would open anything—my heart, my soul, by the gods, even my dress. He only had to ask. I froze, though, uncertain what he wanted. How to give him what I was so very ready to share. “Your mouth.” He chuckled. “I want to taste you.”
I happily did as he asked. His tongue tangled with mine as he deepened the kiss. Stars exploded behind my eyes and the space between my thighs grew wet and hot. I gasped at the glorious sensations, raking my hands down the muscles of his back until I shyly met the waist of his breeches.
He teased my swollen lips with the tip of his tongue, nipping and licking and tasting me, while I let my weak hands drift lower, lower until I cupped the curve of his behind in both hands. I couldn’t control the sounds I made as we feasted upon each other. Gasps and moans filled the cabin, and I writhed my hips mercilessly against his, the demanding throb in my center driving me closer and closer to him. I did not know what I wanted, only that my body was in charge, and I, for once, did not have to think. Could only feel. And the feeling was blissful.
I pressed against him, as he lowered his lips to my neck.
“Pali.” His voice was ragged, thick and slow, but at least he had the ability to form words. All I could do was grunt and sigh, wordless sounds flowing past my parted lips as I gave in to every thrilling sensation.
He unlaced the front of my cloak and kissed my forehead, his lips hot and gentle against my skin.
“Pali, I want to…”
Anything. I am yours.
I could not speak, would not release his rear end unless pried away by a force of nature. I hummed my consent, my eyes closed and my heart wide open. I did not know what I’d agreed to, but I was certain I would never regret a moment of my time with him. Before I could think or worry or plan, the fireplace flared to life. Thick orange flames sprung from nothing, illuminating the cabin in its glow.
Syndrian released me roughly, grabbing the dagger at his waist and securing me behind him.
“Who’s there!” he barked just as the door to the cabin shoved open. “Show yourself!”
Darkness had settled on Omrora. The fire illuminated the cabin and I peered around Syndrian’s form to make out a familiar silhouette standing in the doorway. Her head was covered by an extremely fine cloak and her features were bathed in darkness, but I would have known the haughty shoulders and folded hands anywhere.
“Mother,” I gasped, moving in front of Syndrian as if I should protect him.
“Lady Lombard,” Syndrian said.
My mother held up a hand and slammed the door closed behind her. She peered around the cabin, taking in the hay mattress, my unkempt hair, and Syndrian’s messy ponytail. She sniffed hard, her nostrils flaring, and motioned for us to sit. Syndrian nodded at me, and we each quietly dropped into a chair.
Lady Lombard paced the length of the cabin, while Syndrian and I fell silent. My lips stung from the prickly stubble on Syndrian’s chin, my skin feeling deliciously raw. I sucked my lower lip into my mouth to taste him there. My body was still flooded with heat, and rather than shame or defensiveness, all I felt was resentment at the interruption.
“You lit the fire from outside,” I said quietly, desperate to break the silence.
My mother was beside me in an instant, raising her hand as if to slap me. I flinched, bracing for a blow, but to my surprise, she simply moved her hand sharply from left to right, up and down, staring wildly into the fire as it danced at her direction.
“It has been so, so long,” she purred, sounding almost happy. Almost. She pointed at Syndrian and jabbed in the air, the flames following so far, they nearly leapt from the fireplace. He sat motionless, his face expressionless. “You never saw this, cutler.”
I bristled at her use of his trade rather than his name. “Mother, you know this is Syndrian Serlo. He is Biko’s best friend.”
“And, it would seem, a very good friend to you, Palmeria.” She crossed her arms and cocked her chin, a sly grin on her face. “I mean no disrespect,Syndrian.” She said his name as though it were beneath her, but then she stalked over to the mattress and knelt to inspect it.
“Mother, by the gods, we never—we didn’t—”
She held a hand up again, then shook her head. “Oh, darling, I know that.” She stood and drew a deep breath. “I was, however, unaware you had such afriendin Syndrian.”
“Lady Lombard, please allow me to explain.” Syndrian stood from the chair, his head lowered.
“Young man, all I want to know is whether you intend to fight for my daughter. You know she is to be betrothed to one of the members of the Otleich family? I trust you’re well aware of their…criminal reputation.”
“I’m aware, ma’am.” He nodded. His blue eyes blazed as he looked at me, the intense confusion there mirroring my own. “Both that Pali is to be married off and what that family is about.”