Korrin

KORRIN

I didn't want to trust her, but something inside me stirred, an undeniable pull I couldn't ignore. She was the woman from my visions, the one whose beauty had haunted my dreams for weeks.

"Bind her wrist to mine," I ordered, my voice gruff. "I'm not letting her out of my sight."

My men exchanged amused looks but did as I commanded, securing a length of rope between us. What else could I do?

We had come too far in our mission to risk any rumor of our presence to escape.

She had questions, I could see it in those pale blue eyes that bore into my soul. But I avoided her gaze. The less I revealed, the better.

"Are you hungry?" I asked instead.

At her nod, I gestured for Roji to bring her some smoked bridil from our rations. She accepted it hesitantly, tearing into the tough meat with her small, blunt teeth. I watched, transfixed, as she licked the grease from her lips. Focus, I chided myself, forcing my attention elsewhere as Surant offered her a waterskin.

When she finished eating, I tugged on the rope binding us, pulling her closer to the fire. She followed obediently, those eyes still full of questions, but she remained silent. Smart girl.

I spread out a bedroll, doing my best to make her as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.

"Sleep now," I growled. "I'll decide what to do with you later."

"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered. "I can't. Not without that." She reached for my pendant, but I blocked her hand.

"You can't have it."

She scowled, then lay down, rolling with her back to me.

I settled down beside her, our bodies a handbreadth apart, that thin rope the only thing separating us.

There would be no rest for me tonight, not with this enchanting creature so near, her subtle fragrance of frost and pine needles teasing my senses. No, sleep would elude me. Better to stay awake, staying vigilant...

The fire had dwindled down to embers, their faint glow casting swaying shadows across the cave. I lay beside her, the heat of her body a siren's call I could not ignore. In the quiet of the night, with the sounds of my men's soft snores as a backdrop, the world narrowed to just the two of us.

I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of her breathing, but my traitorous body refused to cooperate. The scent of her, wild and untamed, filled my senses, and a hunger I had never known gnawed at me, demanding satisfaction.

I shifted closer, the need to touch her, to taste her, overwhelming my every thought. The rope between us seemed to tighten, a symbol of the strange bond that had formed between us in such a short time. My heart pounded as I inched closer, my breath hitching as I drew nearer to her warmth.

Before I knew it, I was above her, my body covering hers in the dim light. My mind was a haze of desire as I pressed my lips to her neck, inhaling deeply. Her skin was like cool silk, only fanning the fire that raged within me, and I groaned, my cock throbbing with need.

She stirred beneath me, a soft moan escaping her lips as my tongue traced the delicate curve of her neck. Her flesh was intoxicating, a sweetness that danced upon my lips and urged me on. I nipped at her skin, my hands roaming over the contours of her body, exploring every dip and curve.

The feel of her bare skin under my touch sent a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. My hand found her breast, full and firm, and I squeezed gently, eliciting a gasp from her. Her nipples hardened at my touch, and I took one into my mouth, sucking and teasing it with my tongue.

With my other hand, I trailed lower, finding the wet heat between her legs. She was slick with desire, her body responding to mine with an eagerness that matched my own. I stroked her, my fingers slipping and sliding over her sensitive flesh, each touch making her squirm and pant beneath me.

I could feel her climax building, her body tensing as I brought her closer and closer to the edge. And then, with a cry that echoed off the cave walls, she shattered, her muscles clenching around my fingers as waves of pleasure washed over her.

The sensation of her release was too much for me to bear, and I felt my own need cresting, an unstoppable force that threatened to consume me whole. But before I could give in to it, reality came crashing down upon me.

My eyes flew open, and I found myself staring at the shadowy ceiling of the cave. My heart was racing, my breathing ragged, and for a moment, I couldn't move, couldn't speak, could only feel the pounding of the blood in my ears.

I turned my head, and there she was, lying beside me, her chest rising and falling in the slow, steady rhythm of deep sleep. She was still fully clothed, her body curled up in a tight ball, as far from me as the rope would allow. It had all been a dream, a vivid fantasy that left me aching with need.

I tried to sleep again, only dozing fitfully until I woke with a start, Roji and Surant at my side, their expressions grim.

"Captain," Roji said in a hushed tone. "There's been a change at the castle."

I shook off the lingering haze of desire and nodded, immediately alert. Untying the rope binding me to Denna, I tossed it to Roji. "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her out of your sight."

Denna stirred but didn't wake as Roji secured the rope around his own wrist. I shot her one last lingering glance before turning my attention to Surant.

"What's happened?"

"You need to see this," Surant said, voice tight.

I followed him to the viewing point, my stomach sinking at the grim set of his jaw, where he pointed to the castle below.

"Reinforcements," he said. "Looks like they arrived during the night."

I swore under my breath. While my people were warriors, born and bred, we didn't have the sort of army that could conquer a castle. I'd hoped that by using the mountain passes, we'd be able to get close enough for a sneak attack. But with fresh troops...

"This complicates things."

"We could still try the passes," Surant suggested, but I heard the doubt in his voice.

"No. They'll be watching those now. We need another way."

My gaze drifted to the dark recesses of the cave behind us. We'd only explored a small portion so far, just enough to set up camp. But if these caverns ran deep enough, far enough...

"We go under," I said, the plan forming as I spoke. "We find a way through the caves, get closer to the mountain walls."

Surant's eyes widened. ", we have only an old map of the tunnels. You have no idea what else is down there. It could be a maze. Or worse."

"I know the risks." I met his gaze, my resolve hardening. "But it's our only chance. We've come too far to turn back now."

Surant held my stare for a long moment, then nodded, accepting my decision. "I'll gather the men."

As he moved off, I turned back to the cave, eyeing the darkness that yawned before me. Surant was right, it was a gamble. But what choice did we have?

I thought of the woman, still sleeping by the embers of the fire. Denna. The key to all of this, though I still didn't understand how or why. I just knew that she was important, that finding her was no accident.

My hand drifted to the pendant around my neck, the metal warm against my skin. She wanted this.

But I couldn't give it to her. Not yet.