“I suppose I did,” Flynn said.
“Thank you,” she repeated. Her gaze dropped to where his hands were still on her hips. She made no move to pull away.
His thumb brushed a path along her side. She hitched a breath, and the rest of the tavern faded away until it was just the two of them.
Flynn’s eyes darkened, and his head lowered. “I’m really sorry I tried to steal the rose,” he murmured, his voice so low only she could hear it.
Octavia’s gaze searched his for any sign that he was lying, and she didn’t find one. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. He pressed his face into her palm, his stubble tickling the tender flesh of her hand. “I believe you,” she breathed. “And I accept your apology.”
His hands tightened around her hips, and hope flashed through his eyes. “Does that mean?—”
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to accept the bond, but… I’m willing to try. I want to know whatwewould be like.” Octavia bit her lip, suddenly realizing she probably should have asked him if that’s what he wanted. “I mean, if you… if we…”
His forehead pressed against hers. “Yes,” he whispered. “I want to know what we’d be like. Together. I want you, no matter what.”
Octavia exhaled, “Thank Kydona.”
Flynn’s eyes searched hers, and his mouth dipped lower and lower. Octavia’s core twisted, and warmth ran through her.
He breathed her name, his breath dancing over her mouth as he moved slowly. Leisurely. As if they had all the time in the world. Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart when he murmured, “I want to kiss you.”
Yes, she got that.
“Please,” she groaned. The anticipation was killing her.
A dark chuckle rumbled through him. “Are you eager, Octavia?”
“I am,” she whispered. “And you’re a tease.”
“I—”
Someone coughed behind them. All of a sudden, Octavia remembered their surroundings. They weren’t alone, and from the way several people were staring at them, they were apparently causing a bit of a scene.
Blood rushed to Octavia’s cheeks as she stepped back from Flynn. With a scowl painted on his face, the bartender held out a bag of jingling coins in Octavia’s direction. “Your payment.” Jacobs raised a brow. “Do you require a room?”
Oh gods. If Octavia thought she was embarrassed before, that was nothing compared to how she felt now.
Accepting the payment, she laced her fingers through Flynn’s once again and adjusted her grip on the walking stick. “I, uh… no, thank you.”
They had other things to do, places to be, and sisters to save.
CHAPTER 9
A Gods-Damned Force to be Reckoned With
After procuring lunch from a street vendor—questionable roasted spiced meat and crusty bread—Octavia and Flynn wandered through Riverton and explored the city on the edge of the coast before heading to a clearing not far from town.
It was late afternoon, and the air carried a hint of impending rain as they came to a stop. For once, Octavia didn’t mind the storm making its way towards them.
They wouldn’t be here long enough for it to bother them.
“Where’s Amyla being held?” she asked, taking her bag off and placing it on the ground beside her.
Flynn’s eyes darkened, and blue sparks flitted off his hands. “Sandhaven,” he growled, his voice deeper than Octavia had ever heard it. “The Desert City.”
Octavia’s eyes widened. Located on the southern edge of the Rose Empire, Sandhaven was one of the largest cities in the Rose Empire, second only to the capital of Blackrose, home to the Emerald Empress. Octavia had never been to Sandhaven, but she’d heard of it.
“There’s an…establishmentthere. Like a brothel, but… worse,” Flynn seethed. Anger flashed through his eyes. Whilehe might not have any dragon fire running through his veins, evidently, he could be fierce when he wanted to. “If I don’t get there by the next full moon, they will sell her as a slave.”