There was a new somberness in her smile. “Then I will always have a debt I cannot repay.”

She did not know that I did too.

I touched my thumb to her bottom lip, tugging gently. Ravagers have ways of knowing when bones are melded. Be on guard these next days. Royal vows make threats worse.

“I don’t go anywhere alone, thanks to you.”

Sometimes it was not enough. It was not the ravagers I did not trust; they were predictable enough. It was the one who led them.

Lyra turned to me. “If it is true. If an enemy gave his life for mine, I cannot—will not—ever be the melder Damir desires, Roark. I don’t want to meld for Stonegate, and I know you might find that treasonous and cowardly, but—”

I cut off her words with a kiss, hard and deep. Lyra moaned against my lips, her arms wrapping around my neck.

How long I took her mouth, I didn’t know, but when I pulled back her lips were full and swollen, her visible silver scars pieces of moonlight.

I pressed a palm to her cheek, and with my other hand, I said, You are no coward, Lyra. You are no monster. Your soul is too bright.

Lyra laughed softly. “You’re not the first to mention the brightness of my soul.” I tilted my head, but she waved the thought away. “Never mind.”

Shoulders to hips, I pulled her closer. I regret taking you from a safer home, but I am not a good man. I have no regrets that you are here.

She dragged her plump bottom lip between her teeth. Her fingertip traced the wolf head stitched over my gambeson. “You are unexpected, Roark Ashwood.”

And you’d be wise to keep a distance. I didn’t lie when I said I am not a good man.

She stepped closer, arching her neck so our noses nearly touched. “You never truly know a heart until you see the darkness inside. I might like to see yours.”

I tilted her chin, our noses grazing. My fingers danced against her cheek. Lyra closed her eyes, listening, feeling the words. That would be a mistake.

Her cheeks lifted in a grin. “You don’t frighten me, Sentry Ashwood.”

She rose on her toes and kissed me sweetly. I craved more, a beast wanting to devour her. My fingers dug into her waist before I broke away, my brow pressed against hers. I will be here on watch tonight.

Lyra took a step back and opened the door to her chamber. “Then I will sleep well.”

I flattened a palm against her door when it was closed and the lock clicked in place. A simple declaration—to sleep well knowing I was here—but it cut beneath my ribs, a molten blade to the heart.