A Hint of Frost: Araneae Nation, Book 1 by Edwards Hailey

Author:Edwards, Hailey [Edwards, Hailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2012-04-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Cool water flowed over my bare toes, and I moaned with bone-deep pleasure. I untangled my braid and let my hair fall in waves past my hips. Kneeling at the river’s edge, I splashed my face and neck, tempted to dive in with my clothes on and sort the details after my skin pruned.

A restraining hand righted me before I slid into the water.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“You have no reason to be sorry.” Rhys massaged my shoulder. “Mana will arrive soon.”

I sat on the ground and spread my legs before me. “She’s very pretty.”

He shrugged. “I suppose.”

“It’s obvious you two are close.” My bare toes dug into dirt.

“We are.” He shifted his weight. “Is there some point you’re trying to make?”

“No.” I flicked a rock into the water. “I was merely curious as to your relationship.” I stiffened, not expecting that to burst from my mouth. Bite your tongue, Lourdes.

“Our relationship is…difficult to explain.” He rubbed the base of his neck.

Horrid pressure spread through my chest when I thought of Rhys with another female. No, I realized, not with another female, but with Mana. Forget what he claimed, it must be his venom turning me into this heart-sore creature too afraid to ask him outright what I must know.

“You don’t owe me an explanation.” No matter how I craved one.

He sank to his haunches at my side. “I think I do.” He stroked my hair. “You’re upset.”

“Your secrets are your own.” I pushed to my feet. “Even Isolde said as much.”

“My mother—what did she tell you?” Thunder rolled in his voice.

“Nothing,” I hurled at him. “She told me nothing of you, and you have told me even less.”

His expression blackened. “What about me would you like to know?”

Everything, the voice of my heart said. “Anything. Any small thing.”

“I don’t know how to answer that.” A muscle leapt in his jaw.

“Then don’t.” I turned my back on him and stripped. After all, I had nothing he hadn’t seen, hadn’t touched as he removed my clothing after our binding. Before he moved, I dove in the river and gasped at the shock of cold water. Ducking beneath the water, I screamed until my lungs ran dry of air and bubbles clogged my nose, then I kicked off the silty bottom and surfaced.

Air exploded in my lungs and I gulped greedy mouthfuls. Voice gone hoarse, I spluttered as a strong arm reeled me against a hard chest. I wriggled, but he lifted me from the water as his head lowered and his lips stole what little air I’d recovered. I sank my fingernails into his hips and tore, but he groaned with pleasure and hardened his mouth on mine, forcing me to kiss him back.

I leaned into him, hungry, hurting, my hands splayed across the roundness of his…

“You’re naked.” I bit my lip tearing our mouths apart. Stumbling, I fell backwards and water filled my nose and mouth as the river closed over my head. He fished me out, brought me surging past the surface.

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