Lina’s brow furrowed. “Holding on to that pain doesn’t honor her memory.”

“Yes it does,” Bri gritted out. “But when it came down to reaching for that dagger or reaching for you . . .” She clenched her fists so tightly, her nails dug into her palms.

“You chose me.” Lina stared into Bri’s stormy eyes. It wasn’t a question. Time seemed to stand still, the air so thick between them she could hardly breathe. Lina’s lips parted. “I can’t tell if you want to choke me or kiss me right now.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Lina lifted her chin. “That’s a shame.”

Bri’s eyes flared, Lina’s words like the spark to a flame. Bri pushed off the beam, grabbing Lina by the throat and pinning her back against the shelf. Bri’s lips crashed into Lina’s, enveloping her in a scorching kiss. Lina didn’t miss a beat, one arm snaking around Bri’s hips, the other threading through her short hair, pulling Bri’s muscled form tighter against her own soft curves.

A moan escaped Lina’s lips, unleashing Bri further as one hand bracketed Lina’s jawline and the other skimmed over her side and down to her ass. Bri pressed her fingers into Lina’s soft flesh groaning as she dipped her tongue into Lina’s mouth.

“Your Highness,” a voice called from beyond the door and the two of them flew apart.

“What?” Lina snapped, her words breathless.

“Your carriage is ready,” the guard said.

Bri scowled, the absence of Lina’s soft body against hers making her muscles tense. “I thought they wouldn’t be ready until dawn.”

“It is dawn,” Lina said, panting from her swollen lips. She straightened her dress, wiping at the smudged paint around her lips. She glanced at Bri. “This isn’t over.”

Bri’s eyes widened but she found herself nodding anyway. Those words were a promise. Lina wanted Bri as badly as Bri wanted her. She watched as the Princess’s hips swished out the door, her heart stuttering with each step.

*   *   *

“Catullus,” a voice echoed down the hallway.

Bri adjusted her pack on her shoulders, veering toward the sound as her boots scuffed down the quiet passage.

She looked down the hall to find Tem leaning against the doorframe to his chambers. Bri muttered a curse and followed him into his sitting room, dropping her pack with an unceremonious smack on the floor. It was too early and she was too exhausted to deal with a charming courtier like Tem.

“What?” She frowned at him.

Amused, Tem chuckled at her gruff countenance. “I just wanted to thank you for saving Lina’s life. It sounds like it was a close call.”

“First off, I swore I would protect her.” Bri folded her arms. “Second, she saved me.”