Chapter 188: Waking with You

ELRETH

Waking the next morning as the lanterns flared alight, Elreth was aware of two things: Warm, strong arms around her, holding her back to a firm, flat chest. And an ache inside her, half of dull pain, and half of frustration and need.

She wanted him again, already.

She blinked her eyes open, then smiled.

One of Aaryn's hands was splayed out in front of her. He'd held her all night, one arm under her neck, the other over her waist, his palm flat to her stomach.

Somehow, seeing his large, relaxed hand, the tendons standing up on the back, the fingers slightly curled… his strength resting.

It made her sigh the kind of sigh that her friends had always had for her father and Tarkyn. The kind of sigh that used to drive her up the wall. But now… now it made her ache to see those hands come alive and on her skin.