Page 30 of Ashborne Forged

“There’s a hut here. It’s pretty rustic, but it will keep us warm. And it’s hidden from eyes over the trees.”

“Won’t patrols find us because of the dragons?” I asked breathlessly, trotting in his wake.

“We’re outside the borders now,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me as he drew me forward. “They won’t come this far unless they’re following someone that might be a threat. And Kham kept our route well away from other dragons. Not that our dragons would follow, but it’s just better if Furyknight dragons don’t know we’re out here. We don’t want to be interrupted.”

Fizzing need coiled in my belly, but I kept trotting as Voski led me into the blackness between the trees.

The hut was rustic, as he said. A wide, box-frame bed at the end opposite the door, under a shuttered window. A long, narrow table against one wall that appeared to be used for both cooking, and eating, along with a few shelves on the wall that held boxes and candles and flint. Rafters full of dust and cobwebs overhead. A fireplace on the other side. There was also a bolt on the door.

As I helped unpack the things from the bags Gil had brought, Voski unrolled an awning, stretching it from over the small door that was short enough he had to duck his head to step inside, out to a tree well outside the door. He said it would keep the ground outside the door dry, to give us space to put on boots and jackets.

Soon, candles burned merrily in the corners, and our few things were unpacked. Voski drew water from a nearby stream, arranged everything from clothing to the little herb packets on the shelves. Then began to unwrap the food Gil had sent, and swore happily when he discovered meat?

“My brother knows me well,” he said, grinning at me over a wrinkled paper packet of something red and bloody.

I grimaced. “We don’t need that for tonight,” I said nervously. “I’m happy with the cheese and bread, and—”

Voski arched one brow. “Grace, can you cook?”

I went still, watching him—relieved to find his expression more amused than irritated.

I swallowed hard. “No,” I mumbled finally.

His lips pulled up on one side in a half smile that made my heart flutter and he crossed the few feet between us slowly. “You don’t have to pretend. Every Furyknight starts their journey from a different place. You can tell me if there’s things you need to learn,” he said. Then he reached my toes and his hands slipped to my hips. “There’s a lot I can teach you.”

“I’m happy to work, only I was never taught to cook. I didn’t want you to think—”

He caught my chin in one hand and his smile grew wider. “Grace, are you listening?”

I frowned. “To what?”

He leaned down, and his lips brushed my ear, sending a spray of goosebumps down my neck and arm. “I said, there’s a lot I can teach you. If you’re willing to learn?”

He straightened, and his eyes met mine. He still smiled, but there was something slow and a little wicked about it now.

I cleared my throat, fighting a smile. “I’m always willing to learn,” I said breathlessly. “Especially if you’re the teacher.”

He nodded and his smile turned smug. “You are good at taking orders, I’ll give you that.”

“I like receiving orders. It makes things very clear and—” I cut off because his smile broadened, and I felt something pulse in the bond. A thrill? “You like that?” I asked quietly.

He nodded again. “I do.”

Something crackled through the bond, an electric snap that started at his heart, and ended in my belly.

He leaned closer, tipping his chin until his nose almost brushed mine. I gripped his arms to keep myself upright. “Why are you smiling like that?” I asked.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear that had fallen out of my braid, and his eyes grew darker. “I’m looking forward to these days alone,” he purred. “Looking forward to teaching you.”

I bit my lip. I wasn’t good at flirting—but he was. He could flirt without words. Eyes that glinted. An expression that hinted. Tone that slid down my spine like trailing fingers.

As he leaned closer and let his lips brush mine, my breath grew shallow. I closed my eyes to enjoy the kiss, but though it was soft and sweet, he quickly tilted his head and began to kiss along my jaw, then nibbled at my ear. “Do you have energy? Or do you want to sleep?” he whispered.

I shivered when his breath thundered in my ear.

“I’m definitely not ready for sleep.” Goosebumps raised the hair on my arms and heated my cheeks.

Voski hummed his approval. “Would you like to learn something right now?” His hands trailed down from my hair, to my shoulders, down my body, sliding alongside my breasts, to my waist.