“Good,” Aurora said. “We’ll look out for that valkyrie arsehole, or Bileth, or anyone else whose wrath you managed to incur in the past few hours.” She pulled Tammi away, leaving Rosalind alone with Caine.

Rosalind glanced at the blood pouring from his wound. “Does it hurt?”

“What do you think?”

“Sorry.”

“Do you want to heal me? Tammi seemed willing.”

She glanced at the blood on her own hands, her heart fluttering. “Yes, of course. I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault. You do understand how this works, don’t you?”

“Yes. And I understand it’s purely practical. It’s how you heal. It doesn’t mean anything.” She wasn’t sure why she needed to say that, but it was a reminder to herself more than anything.

Moving closer to him, she slid into his lap. As she slipped her arms around his shoulders, he gazed into her eyes, pupils dilating. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Don’t forget what he is, Rosalind. Deep down, he’s a predator, and he can’t be trusted.

But even if he wasn’t human, his proximity alone heated her body.

His breath quickened, and he slid a hand around the back of her neck, his touch sending a jolt of energy through her. At that moment, she almost forgot he was a demon. She only knew she wanted to run her hands over his smooth skin.

His eyes darkened to a deep abyss of midnight black. As his aura strengthened, it fluttered over her skin in a thrilling rush. He slipped his fingers into her hair, and in the next moment his warm, soft lips were against hers. His magic rolled through her body, making her tremble with need. When his tongue brushed hers, heat shot through her belly.

He kissed her hungrily. One hand gripped her hair, the other tightened around her waist. All panicked thoughts flew from her mind, and there was nothing left but Caine.

As she curved into him, his kiss grew more sensual. He lightly traced down her spine with his fingertips, and she gasped.

He folded his arms around her and lifted her from the ground. As he pushed her against the tree, she wrapped her legs around him. She threaded her fingers into his hair, pulling him in for another kiss. Instead, he teased her—nipping her lower lip before brushing kisses down her neck. Her body burned, and she wanted more. She wanted all of him.

“Rosalind!” Tammi shouted.

Caine’s face turned away from her. She could have killed Tammi right then, but thank the gods it didn’t go too far.

“We were just finishing the healing,” Rosalind said, her legs still wrapped around Caine. His aura caressed her skin, and she needed to get the hell away from him before this got really embarrassing.

Something about the stricken look on Tammi’s face pulled her attention from Caine, but it was the person standing behind Tammi who sent a jolt of panic through Rosalind.

Josiah stood with his hands at his weapon belt, his eyes blazing with pure loathing.