DAY ONE
THE MORNING AFTER
CHAPTER ONE
ARKEN
When I woke the next morning, I found myself immediately enveloped in silky heat and the alluring scent of citrus and cloves.
Fates. Did last night actually happen? Was all of that real?
“Good morning, sweetheart,” a rough, low, and familiar voice rasped against the shell of my ear. The man it belonged to slid his arm around my waist, tugging me closer with ease. “I missed you.”
Well, that answered that question.
A strange blend of fear and relief surfaced as I stole a quick glance out the window and discovered the midday sun already hung high overhead. I had most certainly overslept—but godsdamn, what a way to wake up. As Kieran’s arms encircled me, drawing me flush against his muscled frame, an intense burst of feverish longing and carnalneedjoined the fold.
The fear, relief, and desire melted into contentment as Kieran began running his fingertips gently up and down my arm in a soothing, rhythmic motion.
“Missed me?” I murmured, shifting my hips to sink even deeper into the warm comfort of his soft sheets and hard body—hard in more places than one. “What, in the hour or two I’ve been sleeping in?”
“Three hours and forty-three minutes, if we’re being exact,” Kieran countered. “It’s almost noon, Little Conduit.”
Well then. Thank the gods I don’t have any classes today.
“If I didn’t know any better,” he continued, “I’d say someone kept you up awfully late last night.”
“Mhmm,” I replied. “But of course, youdoknow better. I was a good girl and followed Fen’s orders to the letter. I took my tinctures on time and got plenty of rest.”
“You were averygood girl last night,” Kieran agreed, nipping at my earlobe and sending a wave of gooseflesh down my arms.
I pressed my thighs together, already eager for another round or two…or three. ButFates, we’d have to pace ourselves at some point…Wouldn’t we?
“You must have been terribly bored all this time, Captain,” I observed with a wry smile. “You’re an early riser. Howeverdid you pass the time?”
He chuckled softly, burying his nose in my hair and breathing deep. “I’m not sure you actually want the answer to that question, Asher.”
I wriggled around in his clutches, tangling up the bedsheets as I turned myself to face him.
“Now what in the name of the gods doesthatmean, Vistarii?” I accused, attempting to narrow my eyes in some semblance of a stern expression.
My valiant attempt at being threatening was immediately countered by the sight of his face, that beautiful glacial gaze catching mine and leaving me briefly breathless. A good night’s rest appeared to have softened some of Kieran’s features… butnot nearly so much as the gleaming, genuine smile that spread across his face in response to my attempt at pouting.
“I was watching you sleep,” he confessed softly, tucking a stray lock of curls behind my ear.
“Thewhole time?!” I asked incredulously.
His face remained soft, unapologetic, and damn near shameless as he replied, shrugging. “Perhaps.”
I groaned. “We need to find you a hobby.”
A low chuckle rumbled through his chest. “On the contrary, I think this one might suit me just fine.”
I felt a pang in my chest over the unspoken promise—the implication that more mornings like this might occur.
“Staring at women while they sleep is not ahobby,Kieran,” I teased, attempting to disregard the conflicting emotions bubbling up as the realities of last night began sinking in.
“Notwomen,” Kieran corrected. “Awoman. Just one. Just you.”