Chimera Awakened

Chapter Twenty-Two

By the time I'd warmed up from my cold bath, eaten dinner in my room and read the same sentence of a book at least a hundred times, the moon had fully risen. I was talking myself in and out of going to Broderick's room before I finally just got up and left.

I wasn't worried about the upcoming battle, or, at least I wasn't too worried. Whatever needed to be done, I would do it, consequences be damned. What did worry me was the way Broderick had looked. First, that dream that had him trembling in the forest before Bete Grise and then this thing with me. Damn that serpent wolf hawk man, I thought again.

When I made it to Broderick's door I began to shake with nerves. I took a steadying breath and walked inside. It was empty. I checked the adjoining bathing chamber but it was empty too. Candles were lit sparingly throughout the room and a fire was blazing in the fireplace.

I breathed in the smell of him, pine and snow, and a smile touched my lips. Without thinking, I climbed into his bed, needing to be surrounded by the smell of him. With the comfort of being covered in the sheets that touched his body, I fell almost immediately into sleep.

********

I felt a warm body press against my back and the smell of pine and snow engulfed me as a heavy arm draped across my side. I lifted my hand to cup Broderick's forearm and slid my fingers along the black hair. Needing more of him, I turned to face him and placed my leg between his.

His smile was so soft, so completely content that my heart sang in relief. He wasn't upset with me, thank the stars.

"You look tired," I said.

Indeed he did. Dark smudges were under his clear blue eyes and frown lines were forming on his forehead.

"Just a little," he murmured and gave me a reassuring smile.

"You're worried," I noted and he closed his eyes.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He began to rub his fingertips lightly along my back and I sighed in pleasure.

"Well, I'm not going to let anything happen to you," I returned.

"I'll be fine."

We lay pressed against each other, Broderick's fingers still making small circles on my back when I broke the silence.

"So..." I began, " we haven't spoken much since..." I trailed off and said, "Bete Grise."

He kissed my forehead and tightened his arm around me for a moment. "I didn't want to push you, Evelyn. I know you have reservations and that's alright. I can wait."

His words, the truth in them nearly broke me so I pressed my lips to his. The kiss was gentle, soft and slow. I splayed my hand across his bare chest and felt his heartbeat, fast and strong under my palm.

I reached down to remove his pants and he expertly kicked them off. Craving the feel of him against my skin, I removed my nightgown. He was warm, so warm I felt it in my bones. I lifted my leg to rest on his hip and he slid a hand up my thigh, watching the movement with his eyes.

"You're perfect, Evelyn," he said in a husky voice.

"No I'm not," I said quietly. "But you are."

His eyes softened and he pressed his lips to mine. I pressed my center against his hard length and felt it slide over my wet folds. We shuddered into each other and then he entered me, slow and gentle. I sighed as pleasure washed over me and lifted my hand to cup his neck. He moved so slowly I could feel every ripple of him as he slid in and out.