Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“We will tell them we’ll come back in a couple of days and celebrate then if Lilith hasn’t started her war.”
“She will start it as soon as she is able,” Petru confirmed. “She wants her revenge.”
The door was flung open, and they were surrounded immediately by the warmth of her family. Zdan stood close to Amastan, Gwafa and Izem, his eyes very serious as he regarded the two of them.
Amastan greeted them with the ritual welcoming, and both Petru and Safia responded in kind. The others followed suit. When it was Zdan’s turn, he gripped Petru’s forearms and leaned in to brush his mouth on each cheek and Petru’s forehead, murmuring a greeting before thanking him for getting his son home safely. He did the same with Safia.
“I did incur an injury,” Petru admitted, looking to Amastan. “It is nothing to worry about, but I ask that you allow us to sign the marriage contract and retreat so I may be healed in the way of my people. It may require a couple of days.”
“He saved my life,” Safia added. “He stepped in front of me and took the full wrath of Lilith after I very foolishly challenged her. His wound is quite severe.”
Sívamet. She heard the note in his voice this time. Recognized it for what it was. Affection. She’d heard it in her father’s voice when he’d sent her mother an intimate look that was for her alone.
I’m proud of you, Petru, and I want them to know what you did for me. They don’t have to be proud of you the way I am, but they need to know where I stand. It matters to me that I get you to the healing ground. That matters to me more than celebrating with my family. They don’t have to understand, but I believe they will.
“Thank you, Petru,” Gwafa said formally.
“I appreciate that my sister is in good hands,” Izem echoed.
“Please come all the way into the house,” Amastan added. “I see that Safia is anxious to take care of you, as she should be.”
* * *
• • •
Safia hadn’t known the moon could shine so bright or the stars could look so like glittering gems. Everything appeared so much more vivid, from the leaves on the trees to the water tumbling over the rocks. Forest mist was cool on her bare skin, yet in contrast, flames burned through her veins fast, bright and hot, a wildfire out of control.
Petru’s hands and mouth were everywhere, a mixture of gentle and rough so that every nerve ending was sensitized. Raw. Desperate for him. There had been no time to be afraid. She woke hungry. Craving the taste of him. The moment his mouth was on her, desire had flared out of control. He’d opened his mind to hers, and erotic images poured in, heightening the passion between them.
She might not know what she was doing, but she followed his lead unerringly, responding to every command. Every demand. Making demands of her own. Each stroke of his hands, heated pull of his mouth, tug of his teeth, sent jagged lightning streaking through her so she couldn’t quite catch her breath.
He had awakened her with kisses, just brushes of his lips against hers, setting those embers smoldering for him. They lay together on a bed beneath the stars while his hands moved featherlight over her shoulder and her arm, his fingers traced her ribs and his palm shaped her hip. It was no more than a whisper of touch, barely felt, yet every nerve ending sprang to life and centered on him.
Petru kissed his way over her chin, along her jaw, up to her forehead and then along her cheekbone as if memorizing every angle of her face. He kissed his way to the corner of her mouth, found her dimple and teased it with his tongue, taking his time, as if he’d planned that luxury long ago. His mouth settled on hers, taking her breath, igniting the smoldering embers until she felt flames leaping in her bloodstream.
His hands cupped the weight of her breasts gently, the pads of his fingers stroking caresses so tenderly, but each touch burned like a brand, claiming her heart irrevocably. His mouth was a miracle, kissing her over and over until she couldn’t find air and he was breathing for both of them. Until all she could do was taste him. Feel him. Want more of him. She hadn’t known he could be so gentle or that it would be disarming.
She couldn’t stop the moan climbing up her throat as his fingers continued their exploration, moving down the length of her body to slip between her legs. Heat rushed through her, a wild storm of desire, but his movements were languid, unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world. He explored her petal-soft folds, the slick wet reaction to his administrations. When her hips shifted restlessly, he stopped her movements with one look from his smoldering silvery eyes.