Hæra shoved her hand beneath Madeleine’s sweater. Her breast was warmer here, and the jersey cotton was less of a barrier. Hæra’s thumb brushed over the edge of her bra beneath. Madeleine made a low noise and grabbed Hæra’s hand through the wool of her sweater.

Hæra paused. Was not enough for her too much for Madeleine? Would they have to stop?

I can stop, she told herself frantically, I can, I can.

“Like that,” Madeleine whispered. “Just hold me, please.”

Oh, thank the depths. Hæra’s resolve would not be so sorely tested. “Am I hurting you?”

Madeleine laughed shakily. “Definitely not.”

Her cheeks were red, her eyes bright, her mouth full. Hæra couldn’t help herself. She leaned down for another kiss. Madeleine returned it, still clutching Hæra’s hand against her breast. Then she murmured, “Nobody’s touched me like this before.”

Hæra looked down at her in astonishment. That couldn’t be right. Madeleine was so beautiful that someone from another species desired her—she must have known another human’s touch, surely? “Why not?” she demanded. “You weren’t always a nun.”

“No, but I was always…like I am.” Madeleine briefly closed her eyes. “I avoided boys. When I did date, I told them I didn’t want to go too far before marriage. As in, not far at all.” Her lips quirked up. “You know, in some respects, religion was convenient.”

It wasn’t convenient right now. Hæra fought not to pant like one of the farm’s dogs. Madeleine had often spoken of needing to take things slowly. They could do that.

For another minute or so.

Hæra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, about to ask the Great Mare for patience, because maybe Madeleine was right about the power of prayer. Anything was worth a try.

Then, suddenly, her right hand—the one on Madeleine’s breast—stung. Madeleine had just curled her nails into it. Hard. Hæra looked down again to see that Madeleine’s facial expression had changed completely in the last couple of seconds. Her eyes were wider, her flush had gone pale, and she bared her teeth. Hæra began, “What⁠—”

“And you?” Madeleine asked. “Have you ever done this with someone else?”

It turned out that your heart could beat, not just in your chest, but in your temples, your throat, and between your legs. The look in Madeleine’s eyes—hot, wild—scattered Hæra’s heartbeats everywhere, from her head to her toes.

Instead of I could never, Hæra said, “What if I have?”

Now Madeleine grabbed Hæra by both shoulders. Her fingers dug in harder. Hæra hissed in a sharp breath. It hurt.

It felt so, so good.