about it.
In the interest of my education, I performed a second once-over. When I licked my lips, Saxon belted out a laugh. A rusty but charming sound that made me want to laugh, too.
Before I could study the new object of my fascination, my avian fell back into the water, taking me with him to swim us to a deeper part of the pond.
“The ring,” he prompted a second time.
Oh, yes. “My mother didn’t tell me much about it, to be honest. Only that it belonged with me.”
“One day, if you’d like to know more about it, I’ll tell you. Now lie back.” He eased me into a supine position, keeping one hand underneath me to hold me up.
Long locks of my hair formed dark ribbons in the water around me. “You won’t let me go?”
“I swear it. I won’t let you go.”
As I continued to float, he urged me to try other positions. No matter which way I angled, he remained true to his word, holding me up, unwaveringly patient as I screeched questions.
Like now. “How long does it take to drown?” I demanded as I flailed, water splashing. I had turned stomach down, and if my face went under one more time...
“You’re not drowning. I’ve got you.”
I sank a little, swallowing a mouthful of water, and yelped. “Why are you letting me drown, Saxon?”
He snickered. “If I allow you to drown, Asha, you can punish me at your leisure.”
“How comforting.” Eventually, though, I got the hang of everything. “All right. I’m ready. You can release me into the wild. But stay close.”
For the first time since we’d entered the water, he eased his hands away. I glided my arms and legs this way and that, just as he’d taught me and...yes! I didn’t sink. “I’m doing it, Sax! I’m doing it.”
He beamed at me. “I’ve never been more proud of you, Asha.”
I...didn’t know what to say or how to act. I’d never made anyone proud before.
I dipped underwater—on purpose—to cool my overheated cheeks. As I came back up, Saxon cupped my nape and eased me closer to his body. In this location, my feet didn’t reach the bottom, so I had to tread before him. But that was okay, because he’d taught me how to do that, too.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” He grazed my cheek, collecting water droplets, his heated gaze searching mine.
“Yes,” I replied, very serious. Because I’d always been beautiful to myself. How could I not be? I had come from my mother. “But thank you for the compliment. I will cherish it every time I catch sight of my reflection.”
He grinned at me, sharing his amusement.
“You,” I said, unable to look away, “are beautiful, too.”
“Thank you. I will cherish the compliment every time I catch sight...of you.”
Argh! He was melting my brain again.
With my next inhalation, I picked up a new scent. Mmm. Sweet...rich...intoxicating. What was that? I breathed deep, deeper, hungry for more. My head clouded, even as different parts of me seemed to awaken from a deep sleep. The pulse at the base of my neck throbbed. My every cell buzzed. Flutters teased my belly, while warmth pooled between my legs.
I thought...maybe... “The scent...it’s coming from you.”
He parted his lips wordlessly, his expression somehow haunted and euphoric at once. “I think it’s...the amour.”
He’d produced the special dust? I laughed, delighted. “I made you happy.”
He met my gaze again, his expression fiercer than I’d ever seen it. My laughter died. His breaths turned raspy. So did mine. We breathed for the other, the space between our mouths diminishing as we both edged closer.
Heart racing, I slid my hands up his chest. A chest he bowed out, seeking firmer contact.
“My wings.” He settled his hands on my waist and squeezed. Voice hoarse, he said, “Touch them. Please.” The last word emerged as little more than a snarl.
Yes. I would touch. I had to touch. My cheeks flushed as I reached past his shoulders with trembling hands, then fitted my palms over the hard outer ridge of his wings.
A moan left him, and he closed his eyes.
Suddenly I understood why my mother had told me not to ever, ever ask to touch an avian’s wings. It was a deeply personal act between two people who trusted each other...desired each other—an act we both desperately craved.
I caressed those exquisite azure feathers, luxuriating in the softness, sharply aware of Saxon’s every reaction...and the reactions taking place inside of me. The increase of