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SLOWLY, LORD EACION pinned her in with a hand on either side of her head. She could’ve run, but suddenly her legs felt completely useless. His head lowered. Oh, God, what was he going to do? Surely, he couldn’t be so lost to reason as to kiss her?
Her heart sped so quickly that she could hear nothing else. Mesmerized, she stared at the shimmer that played over his skin. There was a subtle pattern there—almost like scales, which, given what he was, made sense.
His mouth hovered above her lips, his breath the sweetest thing she’d ever felt. Suddenly, he bypassed the area. She breathed a ragged sigh of relief and disappointment. Saved. She didn’t think her heart could stand a kiss that would mean nothing to him.
The feeling of his nose nuzzling against her cheek nearly sent her a few inches into the air. Her skin...it was sensitized, as if every sensation rushed to center itself there. She bit back a groan. How could such a simple touch send her reeling?
Then his mouth, light, soft, and oh-so warm, followed the curve of her cheek. She gasped. Never had a man caressed her in such a way. She’d never wanted them to, but with Lord Eacion, she feared the opposite—that she could never get enough.
“Mmm,” he murmured against her skin. “You taste just how I imagined.”
He’d been imagining her? Instead of that scaring her as it should’ve, it emboldened her in a way she never thought possible. Her hands sought his arms and clamped on. The feel of silken sleeves over hard muscle was a new contrast she luxuriated in. Her palms slid over the material. Muscles rippled under her fingers.
He nipped at her chin. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips trailed their way over to hers. Just stopping shy of her mouth, he murmured once again. “The burn you ignite in me is hotter than dragon’s fire.”
His words—the reminder of just who he was—splashed cold water on her ardor. What liberties had she allowed him to take? Worse, what more would she give him if he but crooked his finger at her?
All this...it was too much, too soon. Would always be too soon, given her disability. What fae wanted a human, let alone a lame one? None of them did, least of Lord Eacion. That was her answer, brutal but clear.
With a sound of distress, she lifted her hands to his chest and pushed. “Stop.”
He drew back, blinking as if dazed. “Why?”
“Why? This is crazy and can’t happen.” She wouldn’t be anyone’s piece of fluff. He was likely just bored and looking to pass time. While he might delight in toying with her and her petty emotions, she doubted she’d enjoy that experience for long. The aftermath always came swiftly with a cruel laugh.
He gazed at her with eyes that were far too penetrating. “Why is it insane?”
“I’m human, and you’re...you.”
“How astute,” he said, turning her earlier words back at her. But there was no censure in them, only a teasing quality that she didn’t know what to do with.
She rubbed a hand over her face. “This isn’t a game.” Well, not to her. She didn’t know what he was playing at. Part of her didn’t want to know, but a bigger portion feared being made a fool of.
He stood back. “Indeed, it’s not.”
“Then what is it?” Lord or no, he better give her a real answer this time. She pushed away from the wall and slipped past him. Thank the heavens, there was no one else around at the moment. Everyone already must at the fest. Still, someone could have seen them while they were...otherwise engaged. The mere thought caused her to break out in a cold sweat.
“It’s something very important to our futures.”
Though she failed to see how their futures could have any kind of overlap, his words piqued her curiosity. He was trying to sound cryptic. His tactic was working, to her great frustration. She crossed her arms, resisting the urge to tap her foot. “What could impact our lives so, Lord Eacion?”
He shrugged, and a mysterious smile flitted around the corners of his lips. “All will be revealed soon enough. You promised me this evening at the very least.”
She smothered an internal sigh. That she had, unfortunately. She’d dug herself into a corner and had to gracefully admit defeat—for now.
Though their little interlude had reminded her of something...
“Don’t you have a wife you need to return to?” Normally, she wouldn’t be so bold as to ask. After that overture he’d just made, though, she had the right to know.
“I do not. She passed away many years ago.”
Oh. Though his face revealed no hint of distress, she wasn’t heartless. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Though I was fond of her, ours was never a marriage of the souls.”
She didn’t know what that meant exactly, but the gist of it was clear enough. He hadn’t been in love with his wife. Her mood lightened for some unfathomable reason.
Turning toward the square, she inclined her head. “Let’s go. They’ll be expecting you.”
He deftly snagged her arm. “And not you?”
“Me—they could take or leave.” She smiled wryly. “You’re the much-anticipated sight of the year. Many of the young women—and probably the older ones, too—are sure to flirt with you.”
“Well, I only have eyes for one lady.”
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, though his compliment was turning her insides into a quivering mass of jelly. “I’m sure you’ll catch the gaze of a few gentlemen, too. You’re much more striking than I ever could hope to be.”
“On the contrary, you’re extremely lovely. I’m exotic to your people, though. It’s to be expected.”
His compliment rang with a sincerity that sent a hot flush up her neck. “True, but it’s more than that. You’re our lord.” And handsome. That, combined with his power, was a heady combination to most. Even to her, not that she was going to admit the truth out loud. “We best get your exotic self there, then. The townspeople have to be waiting in suspense. At least some of your people will be in attendance, so you won’t be the only one on display.”
“What a comforting thought,” he said wryly.
“What? You’re not used to it by now?” Being fawned over should be a way of life for him.
“I am, but I’ve never had a human sum it up so succinctly.”
“I guess there is a first time for everything.” That she was even having such a conversation still struck her as surreal. But for the evening, it was her reality.
They neared the square. Only a minute was left before they rounded a corner and everyone would see them. She attempted to ground herself in the moment and shake away her lingering unease. The last rays of the sun painted the sky in shades of pink and rose. At any other time, taking in the beautiful evening would’ve been lovely.
“Ready?”
His softly spoken question seemed to encompass more than just that evening. But that was a ridiculous notion.
Might as well be honest. “As much as I’ll ever be.”