Page 28 of A Kiss of Flame

“Aye,” he replied. “Though I’ve never tried underwater, underground,” he added with a low grumble.

Levian knew Barith hated being underground, but she had hoped the enchantments would ease his discomfort. She quickly recognized how insensitive she’d been. The enchantments in Kamár were all illusions, and Barith was a sun dragon. He’d mainly seemed at ease, but the instinctual oppressiveness of being underground must have been gnawing at him since they’d stepped through the portal. She groaned inwardly at her thoughtlessness. “Barith, I thought you’d be okay, but if being here is too?—”

“I’m—” He paused, leaning in closer to whisper. “I’ll be fine. But letting out my wings underground feels unnatural.” He gave a little shudder as if the thought alone was uncomfortable.

“You don’t have to,” she clarified. “I just thought the spectacle might help impress everyone, but it isn’t a requirement.”

He grumbled again, and she felt a pang of guilt for even suggesting it. She liked teasing him, but she didn’t honestly want to torture him.

“Touch me,” he said.

“Pardon?” she asked, certain she’d misheard.

“You’re right. It would help, and I’m here to help you, remember?” He pulled himself further out of the water, holding her in place. “If I’m relaxed, it might be easier.”

“Barith, you really don’t?—”

He grabbed her wrist and placed her hand firmly on his chest. A small, uncontrolled jolt of magick skittered from her touch, and Barith rumbled a low growl. “Aye, that’ll do.”

Suddenly, Levian became acutely aware of him. Barith smelled like sun and spiced cologne, his chest hair thick and curling beneath her fingers. She softened, letting her hand trail down his torso, following the hair along the grooves of his muscles, over each ridge of his abs. As she reached his lower stomach beneath the water and hips, she ran a finger delicately along the edge. His breathing quickened, and he looked almost entranced.

“Barith?” she murmured.

“Hmm?” he groaned, leaning into her touch.

“I can relax you if you let me,” she offered, “with magick.”

He tensed slightly. “I don’t need to be ensorcelled,” he snapped.

Levian scowled. “That’s not?—”

He placed his fingers over her lips, silencing her. “Just touch me,” he repeated.

There was a sensualness to the request that rippled through her. Silently, she lifted her hand, brushing it back over hisstomach. When she reached his chest, Levian pressed her fingers deeper into his skin. He grumbled, closing his eyes and melting into her touch.

His golden-red wings unfurled behind him in a flash of heat and light. Levian took a sharp breath, the slight scent of ash mingling with his cologne. She’d been right—it had impressed. The others gasped and squealed with delight at the display.

Barith leaned down, his face hovering just above hers, then folded his wings around them, creating a cocoon that blocked them from view. “Looks like I’m catching up to that bathing suit of yours, mage,” he teased, his amber eyes filled with dark amusement and a touch of something else—a challenge.

Prodded into action, Levian reached up and stroked along the edge of one of his wings, sending a skitter of magick along the membrane. He growled, his expression intensifying as his grip tightened around her waist, smoke curling from his flaring nostrils. Levian smiled coyly, then leaned in.

“You’ve already lost,” she whispered before kissing the tip of his nose. He jerked back, and she laughed. “Withdrawing again?” she mocked.

Barith grumbled. “Ye play dirty.”

Her smile widened. “And you don’t?”

He grunted, his hold on her waist loosening.

None of the others could see them clearly; they had no idea what they were doing behind the veil of his wings. The mystery alone would serve their purpose. Levian knew they should get back to their mission—they still had a job to do, and she had thieves to catch—but she was enjoying herself and stirred that Barith was willing to reveal his wings underground for her. That her touch made him feel relaxed enough to do it. His wings truly were beautiful.

“You should have let them out more,” she said, taking in their intricate ridges and scales. They were a stunning blend of goldand red scales, the membrane translucent enough to let in some light, with dark veins stretching beneath the surface.

“They get in the way,” he muttered.

She smirked, knowing it was an excuse. Barith was proud to be a dragon and loved the attention, but even he had limits. She’d heard countless creatures beg to see his wings, and he never relented. She hadn’t paid much attention to it until now, but she suddenly understood why he might keep them hidden. “Not everyone deserves to see all of us,” she said.

Barith stiffened, his gaze shifting to a spot beyond her shoulder. “Aye. That too.” His thumb brushed her ribs, and her skin tingled at the gentle touch. “Yer one of the few that has,” he told her.