Page 36 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“I’ll find someplace,” Caspian said, directing my attention to the only other door in the cabin. “Bathing room. Bed. That’s really all I expect you’ll need for the next week or so.”

I laughed, and Caspian pulled me close as he smiled down at me. “What about food?”

“Hmm, you can eatotherthings.”

“So I’m your prisoner?” I teased, remembering the first time we’d had a very similar conversation.

He kissed my knuckles as he finally unbound our hands, letting the ribbon drop to the floor between us.

“My guest,” Caspian corrected, walking me backward toward the bed until the backs of my knees hit the mattress. “A veryhonoredguest. Now be a good girl and get on the bed.”

“A good girl?” I scoffed, trying to ignore the molten heat that pooled between my thighs.

Caspian brought his hand to my neck, crushing my mouth to his in a kiss that promised all the heat I wanted and none of the restraint. His fingers wove into my hair, holding me still as he broke away, his teeth grazing my lower lip. “Do you really want to keep arguing, Urchin?”

“No.” The word was barely a breath. “Though I should after your disappearing act last night.”

“So defiant. It's one of my favorite things about you.”

He pressed a kiss to my neck, working down to my shoulder and the gold clasp that held my gown in place.

“This needs to go,” he murmured, glancing up with mischief in his eyes, the glow of the candles reflected in their depths. He slid the clasp and strap of the gown off my shoulder with his teeth, his hands braced on my hips. The neckline was so low my breasts were practically slipping out. He tutted as if this were unacceptable. “This one too.”

The other strap came down, baring my breasts to him completely, and he took one peaked nipple in his mouth as his hands went to the belt at my waist.

Caspian moved with achingly slow deliberation, removing my gown as if savoring every inch of bare skin. His eyes raked over my body as the dress fell away.

“Skies, Marina. You’re—” He swallowed, cheeks a little flushed and all pretense of swagger gone. I may or may not have preened a little as he ran reverent fingers down my arms and over the soft skin of my stomach. “You’re a goddess.”

“And you’re slow,” I replied, fingers already tugging at the laces of his trousers.

He caught my wrist, his grin devious. “I’m methodical, Urchin, and you’d do well to remember it. I intend to map every inch of your body—first with my fingers, then with my tongue. It requires careful study.”

I shivered in anticipation and felt my nipples pebble with desire, both mine and his. “Is that the pirate talking? Or the poet?”

“A little of both.” His free hand moved to cup my breast as his other held my wrists fast, and the pinch of my nipple sent lightning shooting to my core. “Perhaps also the soldier. I intend to commit a thorough pillaging.”

“Scoundrel,” I gasped, letting my eyes flutter shut as he teased me, pulling me flush against his chest.

“Always.” His free hand moved down my waist to my hip, then skimmed my bare backside and squeezed.

“Tease,” I moaned as his fingers slipped down between my legs to brush my core while he kissed beneath my ear and down my neck.

“The very worst,” he agreed, his mouth closing over a nipple. He flicked his tongue against the taut bud, and heat pooled where his fingers were teasing.

Another soft moan escaped me as he maneuvered us down until I was lying on my back and pressed a line of kisses below my breasts.

“Just so we’re clear, Urchin,” he said, fire burning in his amber eyes as he looked up from his slow exploration. “This ends with me buried so deep inside you, you won’t remember your own name.”

“Please,” I begged, needing him to take me now and end the slow torture he was inflicting on me.

He grinned, standing and unstrapping the pauldrons and dropping them unceremoniously on the floor with a clang. My breath caught as he removed his boots and trousers, making quick work of the laces I had fumbled over.

Finally, we were both bare before each other, neither moving as I tried to catch my breath at the sight of him set aglow in the candlelight.

“You are having rather filthy thoughts, Urchin,” he purred, kneeling at the foot of the bed and pulling me by the ankles until I was spread out like a feast before him. I gasped as he spread them wide, his tongue making a cursory sweep through me as if testing my readiness. “Already so wet. But I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a little longer.”

My groan of frustration turned into a cry of pleasure as he dipped his mouth to me and began to feast, tasting and sucking every sensitive inch of flesh as if he truly were trying to map me completely. One of my hands fisted in his hair, the other moving to my own breast to tease the nipple there, needing more already.