Shadowburn (2)

Chapter 30

Every inch of him ached, and the thought of moving sent a flash of weariness and lethargy through him. He did not want to move. It was going to hurt.

But it had been worth it.

The little nymph was curled into his chest, the world barely lit around them. He didn't know when evening had turned into night or night into early morning, but the birds were beginning to stir and the moon had long set. It would be dawn soon. Small blue and silver flames flickered above them like will'o'whisps, not bright enough to disturb the forest but ensuring that Caelei wasn't blind in the darkness.

He tapped two fingers against her shoulder absently. "You might have to carry me back to the house," he said, his tone half lazy and half pained, with a hint of careless teasing mixed in.

"Or neither of us have to move," she said, her words lazy, almost sleepy.

Thorn chuckled. "Elves, unlike nymphs, cannot sleep. But I need to rest and heal and get my energy back--so I need to eat. And there isn't any food out here."

"Well, move then," she said, her voice a challenge.

Thorn groaned. "Not going to help me, are you?"

"Not unless you ask very nicely," she teased, and Thorn groaned again. "Why are women always so mean to me? What did I do?"

"I'm sure the list is long and full of very good reasons."

Thorn rolled over on top of her, pinning her body with his. He arched a brow. "Are you now?"

She swallowed, her breath hitching, and made a sound of affirmation.

Thorn chuckled. "You may be right," he leaned down, sliding his tongue into her mouth for only the briefest of moments before he dragged himself to his feet. "But you enjoyed every second of those reasons." He tossed her a wink, trying to keep his aching body in check even as he used every bit of his willpower to stay standing.

"Presumptuous again, aren't we?" There was no bite to her words, though, and he noticed that she was blushing faintly. If he'd had the energy, he'd have kissed her again. "Besides, you ruined my dress. What am I supposed to wear?"

Thorn glanced around as he laboriously pulled on his trousers. He hadn't meant to wreck her dress... but one look at the pile of fabric told him it was beyond repair.

He picked up his shirt and held it out to her. "Apologies, please take this as recompense."

She eyed his shirt with raised eyebrows. "You're kidding right? You want me to walk in there wearing your shirt?"

Thorn grinned. "You'll look adorable."

"That's not the point," she said, indignant, but she took his shirt. Even though she didn't put it on, instead crossing her arms over her chest.

"You're right," he said, attempting to be serious even as he winced from the effort of holding himself upright. "The point is that you don't have anything else right now. I'll buy you a new dress later, to make up for it."

She huffed, yanking his shirt over her head. Without a word, she started to walk away. But she stopped after a few feet and raised her eyebrows in challenge. "Well, are you coming?"

Thorn took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. "Obviously." He used a trick Sin had taught him to blank everything out, drawing in one breath, letting out a minute later.

After three breaths, Thorn stood more easily--and he couldn't feel a thing.

He grinned lazily as he strolled past Caelei, heading for the house. She shrugged as she followed him. "Fine, if you don't want my help, suffer. Who am I to stop you."