Her fingers sifted through his hair, the path of her nails enough to make him ache, and then his lips pressed against hers, ungoverned by thought or reason. He slid his hands up her back, hoping his touch did to her what hers did to him, and he swelled with pride when her breathing wavered.
Suddenly she went tense in his arms. Tobias eyed her over, confused. “Is something wrong?”
“I was just thinking…about the challenge yesterday.”
“Oh God, what a mess that was. Fucking Flynn running off at the mouth, all because of that blessing. I hadn’t a clue She did that, for the record.”
“Trust me, no one was more surprised by that than I was,” she muttered.
“I don’t even want to think of Her,” Tobias said. “The Savior, willing to let a man die in front of Her. It disgusts me. She disgusts me.”
Her gaze drifted from his. “The entire challenge was horrific. Did Kaleo try to drown you?”
“He did.”
“Are you all right?”
“Better than all right.” He wove his fingers through hers. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“The way the Proctor spoke to you, it was appalling.” He scowled. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“Yes, well, the Proctor has a personal problem with me that goes back quite some time.”
“Then I have a personal problem with him.”
“Haven’t you made enough enemies because of me?” Leila said.
“What do you mean?”
“I heard about your little visit with Brontes.”
“Oh. That.”
She glided her hands up his chest. “And I heard you were very, very bad.”
“The man’s a cock,” he scoffed. “A deplorable, one-eyed shit. I don’t like him at all.”
“Still, I must insist you tread lightly. Don’t alert his attention, not any more than you have. Than I have.” She shook her head. “God, this is all my fault.”
“Your fault? Because of the clay? The blessing?”
She gnawed at her lip. “I’ve put a target on your back.”
“I’d rather be targeted than dead.”
“Still…”
“Leila, you saved my life. For that, I am eternally grateful.” He cupped her cheeks. “The Sovereign can scowl at me all he pleases—”
“He can do more than scowl.”
“Then I’ll handle his offenses as they come.”
“Tobias, you don’t understand,” she said firmly. “The man’s dangerous.”
Her eyes became larger, her body rigid in his embrace. He pulled her in closer. “Leila, if something’s troubling you, you can tell me.”
She took in an unsteady breath. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll stay away from him. That you’ll avoid his line of sight.”
“If it gives you peace, then I’ll do it.”
She exhaled. “Thank you.”
Tobias dragged his fingers up and down her spine, hoping to soothe her, if only a little. Soon she melted in his arms, free of whatever weight she carried, and he took comfort in being the one to unburden her.
Her fingertips swirled across his chest, drawing soft circles that sent chills rolling through his body. “What are you thinking?” she whispered.
“I’m wondering how long I can get away with being here before people notice I’m gone.”
“Not long, I imagine. You’ve become rather popular.”
“Know I’d stay here all day if I could. God, I can’t believe that’s even an option. A day of rest. I don’t know why the Sovereign suddenly deems us worthy of kindness.”
Leila let out a snort. “It’s a formality of the tournament, not a kindness. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled. Brontes knows nothing of that word.”
Her voice was calm, but her downcast stare had turned fiery, holding back an explosive kind of anger—a story left unsaid. He grabbed her hand, halting her finger-painting. “Whatever it is, I’ll take advantage of it. And spend my time with you.”
Her gaze darted to his eyes, his lips—and there they stayed, an unspoken request he happily indulged. One kiss turned into two, then three, each a little bit deeper until they traveled through his body. All of his concerns faded. They would undoubtedly return, but right now he was kissing Leila, was tasting her lips, and though the surging of his heart threatened to exhaust him, he felt stronger with each passing second. He felt powerful kissing her.
The tent flap flew open, and Tobias and Leila froze, gaping in horror.
“Enzo,” Tobias choked out.
Enzo stood at the entrance, his beady gaze fixed on them as they clung to one another. Tobias’s instincts screamed for him to do something, anything, but there was nothing to be done.
We are so. Fucked.
Enzo’s face relaxed. “I seen nothing. You two were having the conversation, nothing more. I go.” He turned on his heel, then stopped, grinning over