Page 52 of Ashborne Forged

‘I will. Before we go, I will. But even if she does like this, that doesn’t mean she’s not taking harm. Sex is different for us than dragons, Kham. Your aggression is normal.’

‘And each human is different in it, just as you and she will be. I maintain, there’s only one way to find out.’

‘And if she is hurt? If she’s putting her hurt aside to avoid mine?’

‘Then you have your answer, and reason for a new plan.’

I sighed. ‘You make that sound so simple.’

‘It usually is. The barrier to your peace isn’t complex, Voski: it’s your insistence on fighting an unavoidable truth.’

Before I could question that, Kham raised his head and trumpeted at Koa, flowing forward, toward the riverbank.

Koa crooned, and rushed out of the water, splashing Grace on her way, who flinched and tried to cover her hair, but was laughing and shaking the droplets off by the time Koa touched noses with Kham, then darted into the woods, with him in hot pursuit.

Grace watched them go, smiling, then turned to me and my breath stopped.

She stood knee deep in the cold water, her naked body pale, but in silhouette, lit from behind by the sun. Every droplet of water on her hair, arms, and body glowed gold.

When her eyes met mine, she beamed, and my heart rose.

As I started forward, I was resolved. This serenity and isolation couldn’t sustain. So, we needed to talk about the future—both for our public relationship, and our lovemaking. I needed to talk to her before we left.

Yet, I was loath to break the beauty and thrill of this place, and what we had here. I wanted to enjoy it for one more day.

So, I pushed the dark thoughts aside, and strode out to the riverbank, returning her warm smile, shading my eyes from the sun.

To my surprise, as I approached, though her smile broadened, she didn’t rush out to meet me as Koa had for Kham. Instead, she started walking backward, her smile turning mischievous.

“You need a bath as well. Come get me,” she challenged.

I smiled lazily and folded my arms. “You don’t want me in that water, trust me.”

“Yes, I do!”

“Not if you want me,” I laughed. “Water that cold will kill even my most ardent fire.”

I snorted as she pretended to pout. But then, instead of coming to me, she turned and walked along the water, feet from the edge. She was stark naked and kicking cold spray up with every step, but she turned her head and grinned at me.

“Where are you going?” I asked her, genuinely confused.

She shrugged. Then took off, sprinting for the water’s edge further along the bank, kicking spray up for the sun’s glow, leaving me on the back foot as she hot-footed it away.

Laughing, I leaped after her, running wide to avoid the mud closer to the water’s edge—but short of following the river itself, there was no way for her to get to the trees without crossing my path. And I could run faster than her.

She giggled when she saw me coming, and sprinted for the trees, but I met her at an angle and caught her around the middle, lifting her off her feet and turning her around to slow her momentum, and she laughed and her hair swayed.

“Good Lord, you’re freezing!” I hissed against her lips, wrapping my arms around her and walking her back up the bank, toward the trees, where her clothing was stacked.

She broke the kiss and dropped her head back, giving me access to her neck, which I took—gently—with pleasure.

“Then, warm me up,” she gasped, sliding her fingers into my hair and holding me against her.

Placing her feet back on the ground, I whipped off my hooded jacket and threw it around her shoulders quickly, so my body heat could warm her skin, pulling the hood up and over her damp hair.

“Mmmmm,” she hummed. “It’s warm, like you.” She slipped her arms into the sleeves, but left it unbuttoned. And somehow, that simple act of placing the leather over her skin, obscuring her breasts and waist, but not her stomach, sent a breathless jolt through me.

Looking down at her, my breath ratcheted up—and because of the bond, she felt the shift in me.