Reverently, he brushed his fingers over her breasts before taking hold of the ties at her neckline.His knuckles skimmed her skin as he slid the laces through, and she ground her teeth to keep from crying out at his touch.Around her shoulders and over her neck, he tightened and tied the laces, his breath warm against her collarbone.
His gaze drifted up to meethers.
“This is a situation we will revisit,” he murmured huskily.
Then he pressed his lips to the hollow between her collarbones.One hand braced on her knee as he lifted his head to capture her mouth.She returned his kiss, hungry and wanting, then took his hand as he stood.
“You can take this as a promise,” he whispered in her ear.“We’ll meet our guest and hear him out.Then we’re going to find somewhere private and finish what we started.”
Her cheeks burned, her thighs clenched, but she let him lead her downstairs into the fronthall.
Ren’wyn felt their guest’s presence before they saw him, and any leftover arousal vanished as her stomach twisted with anxiety.
Fael’s hand tightened on hers—he sensed the power too.It flowed around them, green and bright, vibrant as new growth.The man standing with his back to them in the dining area radiated it.His tousled, shoulder-length black hair and the set of his broad shoulders made Ren’wyn’s breath catch.
She knew exactly what his voice would sound like when he spoke.She knew there would be brown eyes when he turned.
The man straightened his vest as he spoke to the backwall.
“A friend told me there were two people in town I had tomeet…”
He turned.
The words died on his lips.His eyes widened as recognition flared.
Ren’wyn met the clear brown gaze of Esrin.
18
Esrin gaped, his breathing shallow.“Ren’wyn?”he breathed.“Ren’wyn.”
He moved fast, knocking over a chair as he rushed to her.His arms wrapped around her in a crushing embrace, his lips pressed to herhair.
“Ren’wyn,” he gasped through gritted teeth.“You’re alive.You’resafe.”
He bent to kiss her, but she turned her face, and his lips brushed her cheek instead.Ren’wyn felt Fael’s gaze like a burning question.He was close enough that she could hear his steady, measured breathing—holding himself in check.
Esrin noticed Fael then, loosening his grip around Ren’wyn’s waist as he sized him up.She knew they could sense each other’s power, their energy crackling in the air between them.She imagined them both wondering what the other was—or at least Fael was wondering.Esrin had probably already decided.
She regretted not telling Fael.These past months, she’d worked to forget Esrin and the pain of his abandonment.She’d truly believed she’d never see him again, that he’d gone back to Ishvaen and forgotten her.Now, her mistake sank in—especially as she saw Esrin’s reaction.
“A year,” he whispered, turning his eyes back to her.“I’ve been searching for you for a year, and here you are—safe and healthy.I thought you were dead.I thought I’d never see you again.How?”
Ren’wyn’s chest was tight, her face burning as Esrin held her close.She reached up and slowly, gently broke his hold.The swirl of emotions made her stomach churn and her tongue freeze.
He’d been searching for her?For a year?Then where had he been when she’d needed himmost?
Memories flashed through her mind too quickly to grasp: the pain of those first months, the slow process of saving herself, Fael’s friendship and support.Fael’s love.And less than ten minutes ago, she and Fael hadbeen…
Esrin stepped to the side, brushing her arm tenderly before turning his attention to Fael.His eyes softened, but there was something guarded inthem.
“Thank you for caring for Ren’wyn,” he said, his voice genuinely kind.“I can see you’re well-trained.I’m sure she’s already offered you plenty for your trouble.But I’d like to thank you as well—for keeping her safe for me.I can compensate you for any difficulty.”
Fael crossed his arms over his chest, and Ren’wyn could hear his steady breathing again, thick with restraint.
“It hasn’t been any trouble,” Fael said plainly.“We’re together.”
Ren’wyn locked eyes with Fael as his jaw tightened.He took a step forward, wrapping his arm around her waist and resting his hand on her hip.She nestled into him instinctively.
