Here. Now.

But it’s not right.

Apparently, she doesn’t agree. Moving her hands to my back, she begins tugging at my shirt. She won’t be able to get it off me while my wings are out, and I wonder if she’ll rip the tank top down the middle. After a few seconds of struggle, she gives up and travels up to my shoulder blades. When her fingernails scrape against the base of my wings, I rasp out a groan.

“Slow,” I say, kissing along her pulse point. “Go slow. I only have so much self-control.”

“We’ve waited long enough. I want you, Keryth.” She pulls back, and her pout is seriously adorable.

“Not here. It isn’t safe.”

“Then where? When?”

“Your impatience is endearing, my sweet.” I scoop her up as I stand. “Luckily, I know a place we can go, and it’s not too far from here.”

CHAPTER 5

Zella

Not too far from here?

We’ve been flying for an hour. My nerves are shot, and my sexual frustration is at an all-time high. There’s a heat pulsing between my thighs and my nipples are hard and tight beneath my dress.

It’s almost painful.

Keryth must feel it, too. His expression is serious, his eyebrows furrowed. His usually full lips are pressed into a thin line. He keeps clenching his jaw. I can see the muscles working under the dark scruff of his facial hair.

He must be exhausted. Flying—especially while carrying someone else—is draining.

I start to wonder if we’ll ever make it to our destination, but then I feel the moment we enter Dawn and Dusk. It’s familiar, the way the air changes, and my heart speeds up because I’m reminded of all the times I was so excited to see Keryth.

This time, I’m with him.

I hope we never have to be apart again.

As I snuggle closer, the temperature drops and there’s a pleasant tangy-sweet scent in the breeze. I look down to see a gozzel grove. The citrusy fruit is my favorite.

Keryth knows this, and I wonder if we’re going to stop for a snack. But he must be in a hurry to get me alone, because we speed up and turn south.

The stinging in my wound has dissipated to a dull ache. I flex my wings, testing their ability to move. When I look over my shoulder, I note the way the skin has fused back together. It’s still pink and scabby, but I’m surprised by how quickly it’s healing.

Since I don’t need them, I tuck them away, letting them fold in on themselves while they slide into the slits on my shoulder blades.

As we get farther into the neutral territory, the sky changes.