Page 43 of Forged Flight

I turn just in time to see Maple crawl out of Lucan’s backpack. She squints at the pathetic pile of sticks, tilts her head, and takes a deep breath. A stream of fire bursts from her mouth, engulfing the kindling in brilliant orange flames.

Maple wags her tail proudly before curling up beside the fire, basking in its warmth.

A laugh rumbles from Lucan’s chest. “Good girl.”

He reaches down and gives her a pat on the head.

The flames dance across the cave walls, slowly thawing the cold from my bones. Lucan settles beside the fire, stretching his legs out and spreading as wide as he can. He pats the empty space between his thick thighs.

“Come here, Doc.”

Heat rushes to my face. I stare at the space between his legs, then quickly look away.

“I’m f-fine,” I stutter, my teeth still chattering.

Lucan raises an eyebrow. “You’re shivering.”

“It’s okay.”

“You can either freeze to death from hypothermia, or let me warm you up.” He pats his thigh again, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “Your choice.”

I bite my lip.

The sensible part of my brain tells me this is a terrible idea, but my feet are already moving. I carefully lower myself onto the ground between his thighs.

Before I can second-guess myself, Lucan wraps both arms around me and pulls me against his chest.

Warmth immediately surrounds me.

His body is like a furnace behind me, heat radiating through his clothes and into my chilled skin. I let out a quiet sigh as I settle against him, my back fitting perfectly against his broad chest.

“There,” he murmurs. “Better?”

I nod, unable to keep the smile from curling at my lips. “Much.”

His chin rests on top of my head, his nose buried in my curls. He sandwiches my hands between his palms, gently warming my frigid fingers as his heat slowly seeps into my skin.

My hands look comically small, completely swallowed by his. It strikes me all over again how easily this giant man could overpower me. Yet he’s never been anything but remarkably gentle with me.

“It’s getting worse,” Lucan says as the wind whistles outside the cave. “We may have to sleep here tonight and start down the mountain in the morning.”

I sigh softly and glance at Maple as she sleeps peacefully beside the fire. Her eyes are fluttered shut, her prosthetic wings relaxed against her sides. Tiny snores escape her nostrils, each one accompanied by a little puff of smoke.

“I’m scared of what will happen to her,” I admit.

“I won’t let anything happen to her.” He gently cups my face, tilting my chin upward until our eyes meet. “Or to you.”

“You can’t promise me that.” My voice trembles. “If the king discovers I still have Maple—”

“He won’t.” Lucan’s arms tighten around me. “We can hide her in my apartment until we come up with a plan.” His thumb rubs soothing circles across my hip. “I’ll protect you both.”

I swallow against the tightness in my throat. “You can’t say things like that, Lucan. I…” I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut. “I may be a doctor, but I’ve been foolish when it comes to courting. I can never be sure of someone’s intentions. I’m…” I hesitate. “I’m bad at reading signs.”

He chuckles softly, gently caressing my cheek. “You don’t have to guess when it comes to me, Doc.”

I open my eyes. His blue gaze holds mine, the orange glow of the fire flickering in his irises.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m quite smitten with you.”