Part 29 (1/2)
”Yeah.” He wrinkled his nose. Even though he'd managed to flee the cavern before the dragon had attacked, he'd caught the scent of charred flesh. Even after the weird ice had turned to fog, he'd been certain the stench was following him.
”It wasn't good,” he muttered.
”Are they...” Her voice trailed away, as if she couldn't even say the words.
”I don't know, but it's doubtful they could have survived,” he reluctantly confessed, unwilling to give her false hope.
He instantly regretted his decision as tears filled her eyes before sliding down her face.
”I knew their greed would eventually destroy them,” she said, her voice unsteady.
Finn brushed his lips over her forehead, careful to avoid her healing bruises.
”I'm sorry,” he murmured.
No doubt sensing that he regretted her pain, not so much the death of the other Sylvermyst, she heaved a small sigh.
”I know they weren't much of a family, but they were all I had.”
Finn allowed his lips to brush down the narrow line of her nose, relis.h.i.+ng the earthy scent of rosemary that filled the air at his light caress.
”That's not true,” he a.s.sured her. ”You have me.”
She stiffened. Almost as if she was frightened by his words.
”You?”
Lifting his head, Finn studied her wary expression. Was he pus.h.i.+ng her too quickly?
He grimaced. Of course he was.
She'd just lost her family. Even if they were a bunch of b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, it would take time for her to heal.
With an effort he forced a smile to his lips. ”Well, I'll admit I'm not much at the moment,” he teased lightly. ”I'm weary, hungry, and in dire need of a hot bath, but I promise you'll never be enslaved or forced to do anything that doesn't make you happy.”
Her gaze skimmed over his face, as if searching for some hidden truth.
”I don't understand what you're saying.”
”I'm saying you have a home with me.”
”But...” She slowly shook her head. ”You're a prince.”
He allowed his fingers to thread through her silky hair. ”I don't think you should hold that against me.”
She continued to study him with a heartbreaking vulnerability. Like a puppy expecting to be kicked even as she desperately hoped for a pat on the head.
Anger clenched Finn's heart. It was no doubt a good thing her family was already dead.
It would save him the effort of killing them himself.
”I'm a Sylvermyst,” she abruptly blurted out.
His lips twisted. ”Yeah, I figured that out.”
”I helped my family kidnap your people,” she pressed, as if she thought he might have forgotten.
He tugged her silky curl. ”That's in the past.”
Her chin jutted to a surprisingly stubborn angle. ”They'll never forgive me.”
He shrugged, even as he inwardly acknowledged that her arrival among his tribe wouldn't be without difficulties. But he had no intention of allowing that to stop him. Not when everything within him was convinced she belonged with him.
Forever.
”Who helped them escape?” he instead demanded.
She hunched her shoulder, wiggling in his lap. Finn swallowed a groan of pleasure.
They were stuck in the strange labyrinth, with an angry dragon on the rampage, not to mention the fact that Adair was healing from wounds caused by her recently dead brother, and suddenly all he could think about was getting her into his bed.
ASAP.
”I only opened the portal,” she muttered.
Finn tried to control his stubborn c.o.c.k that was determined to harden and press against her deliciously soft a.s.s.
”Which I believe is the very definition of helping them escape,” he told her, keeping his tone light.
Unable to convince him that she was unsuitable for his charity, she turned her attention to her next worry.
”You said you wanted me in your home.” Her lashes lowered, hiding her expressive eyes. ”What does that mean?”
Finn hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head back.
”Look at me, Adair,” he commanded in soft tones. He waited for her to grudgingly meet his gaze. ”There you are.”
Color touched her cheeks. Could she sense his hunger?
”Finn,” she breathed.
”I'm not asking anything of you,” he a.s.sured her in fierce tones. She'd already been at the mercy of her worthless family. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel indebted to him. ”I merely want you to know that you are welcome to join my tribe.”
”And that's all?”
He shrugged. ”I would only ask that you be my friend.”
”Friend?” Something that might have been disappointment flittered over her face. Had she hoped he would demand more? ”I see.” She pasted her lips into a smile. ”Thank you. You're more forgiving than I deserve.”