Page 22 of Oracle's Reign
“What about Sophenie?” Yslie asked, still trying to come to terms with what she had seen.
“She sits on the cushions and reads, ignoring me. She hasn’t even bothered to wear the same outfit for her portrait sessions.” Peroen’s hands turned, changing their grip so that he now held her fingers. “Did you see, Yslie?”
She shuddered, the horror of the past few minutes giving up its last hold on her. “I’m sorry I doubted you for even a moment.”
Peroen shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize. Triese knew exactly what she was doing.”
Yslie shook her head, even as she agreed. “Of course. She’s done it before. But that time, the man was more than happy to cooperate with her.”
“What?” Peroen scowled, then hauled Yslie against him, wrapping his arms tight around her. “Fire and hell. It’s a wonder you ever let me explain. Whoever he was, he was a fool.”
“According to him, I was the fool for ever believing he’d want me when Triese was an option.”
“Sorry, did I say fool? He was a blistering idiot.” Peroen’s arms contracted, the hug tight enough to make Yslie feel safe and treasured all in one. “You are worth a million times more than Triese. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Yslie.”
“Peroen.” She looked up, his name a request she couldn’t otherwise voice.
His answer was as eloquent. His lips met hers, soft, coaxing. He slipped one hand under her hair and cradled the back of her neck.
Yslie rested her hands on his shoulders and opened her lips, inviting him in. It was a kiss that was an end in and of itself, not a mere stepping-stone to something more. A kiss that said this is enough, even while Peroen’s body, pressed against hers, declared its readiness for more. Desire licked at Yslie, too, but she didn’t want to rush past the wonder that was kissing him.
He suckled her lip, then pressed featherlight kisses to the corner of her mouth, her cheek, her jaw. His lips slanted over hers once more, the kiss deeper, more demanding, yet still patient. Then he pulled back, just a tiny bit, his hand still at her nape, and pressed his forehead against hers. “Why did you come to Kalitalo, Yslie?”
