Chapter Five: Djem
Kia woke, snug and safe. “Mmm…” she sighed. She shifted against the warm chest. Warm chest? She squinted through narrowed eyes at the smooth golden skin inches away. Somehow, during the night, she’d twisted around and ended up in Rial’s arms.
He opened his eyes, regarded her, did the same calculation she had, and his brown-gold eyes twinkled. Before she could react, he’d rolled her over onto her back, his body pinning her underneath him, propped his elbows either side of her and smiled down at her. He bent and nuzzled her neck.
Kia’s breathing quickened as images of Oloran pushing her face into the pillow, punching her in the head and in the kidneys, threatening her and about to r**e her resurfaced. A creeping paralyzing dread crawled out of a drear, colorless place i
