Lightlark (Lightlark, #1)

by Alex Aster

“I’m not sure what I enjoy more. Seeing the way you grip a sword . . . or the way your dress grips you.”

He took a step forward, still shirtless. Tilted his golden head at her. “Tell me, Wildling . . . how many people have you been with?” Isla’s face flushed. She barely resisted the urge to slap him. “What kind of question is that?” she demanded. In her realm, love was forbidden. But intimacy was not shied away from. It was celebrated. He seemed to know it, and his expression became even more surprised. “A curious one.” He shrugged. “I’ve been with many women. It’s not something I deny.” Isla sneered at him. “Well, that must have been a long time ago, judging by how uptight and insufferable you are.” The sides of Oro’s mouth twitched. Amused. “That might be so. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Late at night, I ache for you. I ache for you all the time,” he said, face truly looking tortured. As if he had waited a long while to say those words. As if she had been a curse worse than all others. Then he kissed her.