Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, #2)(81)

I squinted up at the play of sunlight on the stone ceiling, unsure of that question, just like so many lately. With a sigh, knowing I needed to get up, I rolled over and came face-to-face with Kiyo. I yelped in surprise.

His dark chocolate eyes were open, wide awake. I think he'd been watching me while I slept. He smiled that sexy, smoky smile of his, eyes crinkling slightly. He was bare-chested, clad only in navy blue boxers.

"When did you get here?" I asked. "I didn't notice a thing."

"I know," he said. "You were sleeping pretty heavy. Didn't even budge when I slid into bed." He rested a hand on my hip and slid it along my bare leg. I'd fallen asleep in a T-shirt.

Seeing his eyes and feeling his hand on my skin warmed something in me. Surely all would be right in the world-worlds, even-so long as I had Kiyo. There was just something so overwhelmingly strong and secure about him, a steadiness in the midst of that dangerous sex appeal. I reached out and touched the side of his face, a bit surprised at just how happy I was to have him here with me.

"I didn't know for sure that you'd come," I admitted.

"Eugenie, how can you think that?" He continued stroking my leg, but his other arm pulled me close. "I said I would. I won't let you go into danger alone."

"I know you don't approve of some of the things I do. Roland doesn't. We had a huge fight."

Kiyo kissed my forehead, then my nose, and then my lips. "He's worried about you. I am too. But I understand what you have to do here and why you want to help these people."

I looked at him and felt something lighten up within me, some lonely and aching part that so desperately needed someone to get me. Before, I'd felt like Dorian could. I prayed Kiyo was able to as well. "You do?"

"Yes." He kissed me again, his mouth warm and searching. The hand that had been on my leg moved up to my breast. "I know what it's like to live in two worlds. You're brave and do what you think is right, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he breathed in my ear. "Neither are any of the people gathered downstairs."

He moved his mouth back to mine, but I wiggled out. "Wai-what? Who's gathered?"

He gave a half shrug, hands still roving over my body. "Everyone. Rurik's got the guards there. Jasmine's up and cuffed. Even Dorian's here."

I sat up. "Kiyo! We have to get downstairs then. We can't-ah."

He'd moved one hand up my inner thigh-up, up, and up. "We've got time."

"No...we...don't," I managed as his fingers moved in and out of me. For a moment, I thought of how Dorian had done almost exactly the same thing, but then I shoved the memory away. "They're waiting..."

"Five minutes, Eugenie," Kiyo murmured. His other hand shoved up my shirt, and he leaned down to kiss one of my breasts, slowly moving on to suck the nipple, harder and harder. I flinched slightly at the feel of his teeth, and he lifted his face up. "I've missed you, Eugenie, no matter what else you think. I've missed you and I love you." He slid his fingers out of me, and I whimpered at their loss. He smiled. "And I think...I think maybe you missed me too..."

And with no other preamble, he rolled me over to my knees and moved up behind me. I don't know when his boxers came off, but suddenly, he was in me, hard and swollen and grunting with each thrust. I gripped the sheets with my fists, keeping my body arched for him so that he could take me even deeper. His hands clutched my hips, letting him bury himself as far as he could go. I moaned and tipped my head back, my body wanting to take more and more of him into me.

Leaning his body over mine, he reached forward and managed to cup my breasts without breaking his rhythm. His fingers caressed them, thumbs rubbing against the erect nipples. The sensations in my body were dizzying, every piece of me feeling like it was on fire. At last he shifted back to his kneeling position and returned his hands to my hips, giving him the best position to fully take me. His strokes grew even harder and faster, shoving himself into me with such force that I could hear our bodies hitting each other. With a great groan, his nails dug into my hips and his whole body jerked as he came. Hands still tight on my hips, he held himself there for several moments, taking his full release.

Finally, he pulled away and collapsed onto the bed. Flipping over, I sprawled beside him. "Okay," I gasped. "Now I think I'm ready to fight some demons."

I don't think anyone really noticed that Kiyo and I had just had sex when we came downstairs. Mercifully, it didn't even rain. If anyone suspected anything, it was Dorian, with that uncanny way he had of reading people. The guards were drawn up in formation outside, but Dorian was in the parlor sipping tea with Shaya while Ysabel all but sprawled on his lap. Girard was there as well, testing the weight of Dorian's old sword while Dorian himself studied the drawing of the new sword.

"Eugenie," said Dorian, arching an eyebrow. "Don't you look radiant this morning. Why, you're positively glowing." Ysabel scowled at his praise.

"It's the leather," I said, tugging self-consciously at my shirt. I'd argued against needing armor, but Shaya had nonetheless obtained a sleeveless top for me made of lightweight leather, good for deflecting blades. It wasn't porn-star leather or anything, but it wasn't something I was used to.

"And this," Dorian continued, pointing to the drawing, "is exquisite. Thank you."