Page 98 of Between Smoke and Shadow
“I love you. Why haven’t they healed you?” he asks. His hands skim over my sides, gently, as if afraid to hurt me. “They’ve clearly healed me. They should have…Joran!”
He leans farther from me, looking surprised to find us alone. I, on the other hand, am immensely relieved.
“He tried,” I say. I touch Harrick’s jaw, tilting his face back to look at me. “The healers needed to rest. They’ve had a long night.”
As if my words jolt something in his memory, Harrick shifts off me. He’s crossing the room with wide strides, flinging open the door. Having his backrest ripped away, Joran falls into the room.
“Wyhel,” he mutters, but he’s already scrambling to his feet. “Apologies, my prince. I was only?—”
Harrick doesn’t let him finish. He pulls Joran into a hug, one nearly as tight as how he’d just held me.
“You’re alive,” he says without pulling back.
“Yes,” Joran says. “Most of us are. Princess Tora, Dae, Meyra?—”
“Tora,” Harrick repeats. He drops his head against Joran’s shoulder. “Good. That’s… Thank you. What’s happening out there? Has the Committee?—”
“Everything is under control,” Joran says. “The Tower is secure and news of your victory is circulating. I’m keeping tabs on the radio for any sign of trouble. For now, everything is quiet. People are sleeping. You should too.”
“Very well,” he says. He finally releases Joran, stepping to put space between them. “You should rest too. Send for guards to replace you. Once they’re here, you’re dismissed.”
Joran straightens his shoulders, as if to argue.
“That’s an order, guard.”
Joran nods, and though I can tell he’s reluctant to leave, he looks far too exhausted to stay. Once he’s gone, Harrick closes the door and slides back into bed. Rather than lying beside me, he drapes over me again, keeping the bulk of his weight off me. He remains close enough that our clothes brush with every breath.
“You’re feeling better?” I ask. I loop my arms over Harrick’s neck, tugging his face closer. He certainly looks better. A healthy flush colors his skin and there’s nothing to indicate he’d been on the brink of death only hours ago.
“I feel amazing,” he says. He presses a soft kiss against my eyebrow, still frowning. “You should have had them heal you.”
“They needed rest,” I repeat. “I’m not hurting anyway. I just—I’m really happy to be here.”
“Me too, sweetheart,” he says. His lips trail down my neck, and his teeth nip at a spot above my collarbone. His violet eyes meet mine. “Sorry I woke you.”
“I’m not,” I whisper. I tangle my fingers through his hair and pull his mouth back to mine. My thighs part, and Harricksettles between them, his erection already pressing against my stomach.
“Does anything hurt?” he asks. His lips brush against mine as he speaks.
“No,” I say. It’s not exactly the truth, but I don’t want Harrick to be delicate with me. After surviving something I was sure we wouldn’t, I want to make him lose control.
Even more,Iwant to lose control. I have no idea what the next several days will bring. We’ll be inundated with questions and demands, and undoubtedly people will want me to stay in the servant class where I belong. Tora and Joran seem confident that I can do this, but unease still settles in my gut.
I don’t want to think of any of that now.
“I want to try something,” I say. Heat flushes over my cheeks as I force the words against a wave of insecurity. “I’m not sure it’s something people do.”
“Tell me,” he says. He brushes the hair off my face, looking equal parts curious and patient.
“When we had sex,” I start, and I hate that I can’t stop myself from blushing. “You were above me. I was just wondering if…”
I want Harrick to finish the sentence for me, but he only stares, waiting. The heat rises sharper beneath my skin.
“Do women ever…go on top?”
Harrick’s pupils widen, making his eyes look impossibly black. His lips part as he looks over me, hands digging against my waist. Just when I’m about to take back the question, he flips us in one swift motion, settling himself beneath me. His attention roams over my body like a physical touch.
“Are you asking to ride me, Rune Ealde?” he asks, voice low and gravelly. He stares up at me like I’m brighter than the sun and stars combined.
