Page 158 of First Ritual

“Hurt.” I swallowed. “Adrift and very unfeeling of your circumstances. Unsure how to move forward.”

“If I do this, we’ll be tied together more firmly,” Wild said wearily. “You know what comes next.”

Reciprocation and another rune. “We’ll figure it out.”

I would figure this shit out.

Wild’s voice was fainter. “I don’t feel right about this.”

“I trust you.”

The words left me.

We both stared at each other.

Blood poured into my cheeks. “I…”

His brows drew together. “I trust you too. Why is that?”

My lips trembled against laughter. “That shows terrible judgment. We must have a similar capacity.”

“Capacity?”

“Ask Varden.”

He settled back again. “Mmm.”

Wild didn’t look too hot. I felt better for the skin contact though. Exiting the bed, I stripped off my dress and shoved down my underwear.

“Tempest,” he said quietly. “What are you doing?”

“You’re not in any state to do the deed. I’m going to ride your face.”

A sudden tension gripped him.

“Nurse Tempest, coming to the rescue.” I snickered.

“I don’t find this funny.”

I sobered. “Humor is gonna get me through this weird-ass situation, Wild. Let me have my crazy moment.”

He didn’t immediately answer. “Only fair. I’ve had enough of them.”

Wild watched me crawl across the bed.

I sat on my haunches beside him. “What are you thinking?”

“That if this doesn’t work, dying with you naked on my face is the best end I could have hoped for.”

Laughter shook me, and a cold bolt of terror speared me too. “You’re not going anywhere.” I rolled him onto his back and tossed the pillows away. This situation felt surreal. Messed up. So fucking bizarre. As I straddled his face and peered down the expanse of my stomach into his dark eyes, the vulnerability of the moment fell away. “Put your tongue out for me, handsome.”

A soft growl rocked out of him. He did so.

“I’m going to make myself come using it,” I told him.

I lowered.

Was the groan mine or his? I couldn’t tell. His arms twitched to grab me, but never made it to my hips in his weakened state. I rocked once and hissed at the intensity of whatever we had going on. “Fuck. That is so strong.” I almost couldn’t move because of it.