Page 29 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘We should talk,’ she murmured, her ice-blue eyes piercing.

Ariadnne swallowed. Nieve’s gaze raked her, stripping her bare. She didn’t want to talk. What she wanted was Nieve’s lips on hers, her body in her arms, the feel of her skin…

But that wasn’t allowed. Would never be allowed. Nieve must know that. Surely, she knew…

Hesitantly, Nieve reached out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind Ariadnne’s ear. Ariadnne’s dragon stirred at the touch.

Her heart galloped.

‘Umm…’ She fumbled for words. Any words. ‘You saved my life today… all our lives… I hope you realise how much I...’

Her mouth stumbled as Nieve smiled softly. The air between them was thick as molasses. Would Nieve taste sweet like that? She was so close. It would be so easy to—

Nieve’s pupils dilated and the last thread of Ariadnne’s restraint shredded. She pressed forward, meeting Nieve’s lips and pulling her closer as Nieve kissed her back, hot and urgent. Ariadnne cradled Nieve’s face, drinking in her taste, her scent, her softness… she hadn’t realised how much she craved her. How much she needed her. Her dragon uncoiled—

Nieve pulled back, the sudden distance a yawning chasm.

‘You want this?’ she panted. ‘This isn’t gratitude?’

Ariadnne’s pulse pounded with a heady mix of thrill and nerves.

‘It would be a funny way to show gratitude, don’t you think?’

Ariadnne slid her hands up Nieve’s arms, and when she didn’t resist, drew her close. A smile broke across Nieve’s face, and she reached to cup Ariadnne’s cheek.

‘You dragons play by different rules…’ she whispered, and Ariadnne’s stomach swooped as Nieve met her lips, slower and softer this time. Ariadnne’s eyes flew open as Nieve’s tongue swept forwards, seeking hers. Nieve smiled against her mouth, her hands finding Ariadnne’s waist, thumbs caressing the skin under the hem of her tunic.

Heat pooled in Ariadnne’s belly.

She groaned and pulled back.

‘Nieve...’ She closed her eyes. Any minute the moment would break, and they would be varanya and knight once more. She didn’t want that, not now. ‘I…’

Nieve stroked her side, and Ariadnne winced as her hand crossed the ragged bumps of her stitches.

‘Gods, I’m sorry...’ Nieve blurted, the worry in her eyes stirring another well of emotions Ariadnne wasn’t equipped to manage.

What would Melixanthe think if she saw them like this?

With a wrench, Ariadnne pulled herself away, heat rising to her face at the thought of being caught. What would Melixanthe do? Would it get back to the Council? They were sure to be punished. At best, Nieve would be removed from her company and Ariadnne would be collared in iron. At worst… Ariadnne didn’t want to think. The Council could be cruel and inventive in their discipline, as she had discovered all too often in her youth.

Nieve looked hurt at her rapid withdrawal, and Ariadnne’s words tumbled over each other as she rushed to explain.

‘I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…’ She swallowed. ‘We don’t have long before they’ll be expecting me, and Melixanthe can’t find us here. Like this.’

Nieve’s eyes scrunched, a hint of storm flecking their edges as she mentioned her handler.

‘I hate that she has this hold on you. I know what you are to the Guild, but you are also this incredibly powerful being. Surely you can make your own choices as the other varanyen do?’

‘I’m not one of the other varanyen, Nieve,’ Ariadnne retorted. ‘There’s a reason they keep me apart. This, between us, is impossible.’ She ran a hand across her brow, hating how it trembled.

‘It doesn’t have to be.’ Nieve softened. ‘Maybe it can just be what it is, Guild be damned.’

Her sureness soured in Ariadnne’s throat. She didn’t know how to explain—Nieve had choice. She could seize what she wanted. If she got bored of the Guild she could leave. Ariadnne had never had choice. She fought who the Guild wanted her to fight, dressed how they wanted her to dress, and wanted what she was told to want. That was her life.

Nieve deserved more.

‘I won’t be allowed this—you. When we return. I don’t know what the Council would do…’