Page 76 of Cursed By the Dawn

“Of course I’m still awake.” He gave a faint, humorless laugh. “Sleep feels strange here.Everythingfeels strange. The weight of this world, the scents, the textures.” He paused, attention drifting to my lips. “The sound of your breathing.”

My breath hitched at his confession, skin prickling. “My breathing?”

“Yes,” he said, dragging his gaze from my lips to the rise and fall of my chest. He drank me in, savoring every detail. As if he wanted to kiss me but was holding back. “You’re breathing hard.”

My cheeks flamed. “Am I?”

“I thought being back in Noctis would feel the same, but it doesn’t. It’s heavier. Sharper.” He hesitated, gaze flicking back to my lips. “It’s vexing. And you are—”

I didn’t let him finish.

I boldly leaned in, closing the space between us, and pressed my lips to his. He groaned in surprise as he kissed me back even harder, stoking the flames under my skin. My kiss was meant to be soft and light, but the moment our mouths met, something broke. A dam, a wall, I couldn’t say.

“I’m what?” I asked coyly, enjoying another of his delighted groans.

“A beautiful temptation,” Erebus bit out, cradling my face as the kiss deepened, intense and searching. I tasted the spice from the cider we’d shared earlier, felt the scrape of his teeth against my lips. “A craving I’ll never sate. A dream I never wish to end.”

My heart pounded as his other hand faltered at my waist. He was still holding back.

“You can touch me,” I assured, tilting closer. “I want you to.”

He drew back, shuddering. “I—” His breath caught, fingers flexing as if he was fighting himself. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” I whispered. “I trust you.” I brushed my fingertips overhis chest, feeling the tension in him, the restraint. His breath hitched as I traced higher. “So don’t hold back,” I added, lips curving as I lifted my jaw toward his. “Because I won’t, either.”

He exhaled sharply, restraint cracking as he pulled me closer. I encouraged his exploration, guiding his hands across my body. Showing him every soft, hidden place I wanted him to touch. When I couldn’t handle it any longer, his powerful frame rose to cover mine, mouth trailing down my neck, finding my shoulder. I loved the weight of him over me, the way his hips ground into mine and how his hair tickled my face. My skin was glowing, heating,burning.

We weren’t in armor or leather, only soft wool and thin cotton.

But I wanted more.

I wanted to feel his bare skin against my own, as I had that night we’d spent swimming under a kaleidoscope of swirling stars. I wanted to savor his heartbeat, his warmth, his scent. Every soft shudder and hitched breath. My hands found their way to his hair, still damp, and I tugged him closer. Still kissing me, he removed his shirt, tossed it to the ground. I followed suit, pulling my nightgown over my head.

“Maker, you’re exquisite,” he growled, making me liquid. “My undoing. My salvation.”

Still covering me, Erebus sighed in delight as he swept his tongue against mine. I melted into his embrace, caressing his shoulder blades, his spine, lower. He let out another tense, delicious breath, continuing to do incredible things with his tongue inside my mouth.

“Erebus…”

“Do you want to stop?” he asked, leaning back to look at me. His silver eyes were heavy-lidded with desire, his skin flushed and warm.

“It’s funny—I once told you to ‘stop kissing me like it’s our last.’ Do you remember that?” I asked, fighting the lump rising in my throat. I was trying to ignore my anger—mygrief—but it was worming its way up regardless. “But then we walked free. We left your castle and became Shadow Weavers.”

“Of course I remember,” he said roughly. “Is that what you want?For me to stop kissing you like it’s our last?” He pressed a gentle, almost reverent kiss to my forehead. “If you want me to kiss you softly, I will. If you want to be held, I will hold you. If you want me to stop, I will.” He found the lone tear trailing down my face and swept it away. “If you want me to tell you I love you until dawn, I will speak the words until my voice is raw.”

I shook my head. “I want none of that.”

He blinked, brow furrowing as he searched my face. “None?”

“Iwantyou to kiss me like it’s our last,” I corrected, cupping his face. He went completely still. “We have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I’d like to savor this night.” My face was thoroughly flushed. His was, too. “Properly,” I added.

Erebus nodded, shadows churning in his silver eyes. He understood well enough.

“Then let us savor it,” he said, his voice a molten whisper. “If you will it to be so, if you should ask it—I would have all of you.”

My flush spread to my neck, my chest. That wasexactlywhat I had in mind.

“I’m yours, Erebus. Always, I’m yours.”