Page 57 of Wings of Ice and Steel

Ariadnne wanted badly to believe her; to believe in a future that didn’t involve being a pawn in the Guild’s games. Nieve looked ready to attack the world to keep her safe, the sight igniting emotions Ariadnne wasn’t equipped to deal with. Not when her life wasn’t her own.

‘I don’t want to think about it. Not now,’ she said, swallowing. ‘But regardless. I’m sorry I let my anger run away with me, that I took it out on you. I’ve always been prone to biting first, thinking later.’

Nieve’s brows rose.

‘I mean, my dragon bites…’

Nieve’s brows rose higher, and the corner of her mouth curled.

‘Well, I don’t mind a bit of biting, but maybe ask me next time…’

Ariadnne flushed, and Nieve grinned, sliding closer as their tension melted away.

‘Biting. Shouting. Being all demanding… witnessing you lose your temper was—’

‘Off-putting…?’ Ariadnne supplied.

‘Exciting.’ Nieve’s smile spread as Ariadnne frowned. Nieve laughed. ‘Oh, you’re fun to tease.’

Ariadnne huffed a breath, and without thinking reached to brush a wayward fleck of dust from the corner of Nieve’s jaw. Nieve’s breath hitched, and Ariadnne was suddenly very aware of how intimate the touch was as Nieve’s breath fluttered against her wrist. Ariadnne’s heart jumped into her throat, the ache she had felt since they’d returned intensifying tenfold. Nieve was here, and no one was looking over their shoulders. Her dragon mewled happily.

‘It’s strange,’ Ariadnne whispered. ‘My dragon really likes you …’

Nieve’s lips parted, about to say something when she changed her mind. Instead, her expression shifted into a wistful smile. Ariadnne puzzled over the expression. There was something Nieve was holding back, something she was afraid to say, and whatever it was scared her. Nieve didn’t seem afraid of much.

When Nieve’s smile turned playful again, her worry dissipated. The corridor was so quiet that Ariadnne could hear the pound of her pulse. No one was coming to find them. Not for a while, anyway. She licked her lips, nervous energy wrapping itself around her core. Nieve was close enough that her scent lit Ariadnne up, the flutter at Nieve’s throat matching her own quickening beat. Ariadnne wanted. Gods, how she wanted. She needed to know Nieve felt the same. That she wasn’t thinking this would be too hard—

‘Can I kiss you?’ Nieve asked, her smile splitting the air like the sun breaking through the bleakest winter, a smile that swept away every doubt.

Ariadnne crashed forwards, weeks of yearning and desire colliding with a groan, Ariadnne sinking into the softness of Nieve’s upturned mouth, tasting honey, sweet berries, and melted snow.

Nieve tasted how Ariadnne imagined freedom would feel.

Like home.

Her body sang, every inch of her skin waking with a jolt. With a moan, Ariadnne tried to pull Nieve closer, misjudging her step and sending them stumbling into the wall. Nieve raised her eyebrows, amusement shining in her eyes.

Ariadnne leant in to kiss the mirth from her face.

‘Are you laughing at me?’ She traced a finger down the long line of Nieve’s neck, enjoying the shudder that followed in its wake. She’d spent weeks longing to have Nieve alone—to make her body sing the way hers did each time she thought of her.

‘What if I am?’ Nieve teased, her voice infuriatingly soft.

Ariadnne growled and kissed her harder, gasping as Nieve’s tongue slid against hers like smooth, hot silk. She felt Nieve’s mouth curve at her reaction, flicking her tongue again.

Ariadnne’s knees buckled.

It wasn’t enough. She needed more.

She would always need more.

Her hands fumbled against the leather straps that fastened Nieve’s armour over her leathers with little thought except that the plate was in the way of her feeling Nieve’s body against hers.

‘Off…’ she mumbled against Nieve’s mouth. In response, Nieve seized Ariadnne’s bottom lip with her teeth, the sharp points of her canines digging into her sensitive flesh and sending a thrill of pleasure down Ariadnne’s spine. With a moan, Ariadnne doubled her efforts, buckles springing free and sending Nieve’s beautifully wrought armour unceremoniously to the floor, leaving her in her leathers.

They were both beyond caring who heard the clatter as Ariadnne pressed forwards, revelling in Nieve’s shape, the way her curves fit against hers. She dipped her head to Nieve’s neck, inhaling her sharp, pine scent and teasing the sensitive skin with her tongue. As Nieve writhed, Ariadnne moaned, running her hands down the leather cladding Nieve’s sides, to her waist.

‘Oh no you don’t…’ Nieve gasped, grabbing Ariadnne’s wrists. Her brow arched, and with surprising strength for someone so slight, she spun them so that Ariadnne was pinned against the wall.