Twin Crowns (Twin Crowns, #1)

by Catherine Doyle

Fly away safe, little Wren. Rose, grow strong and true.

Tor’s chuckle sent a welcome ripple of warmth down her spine. They fell into step, the silvery moon lighting their way as they meandered along the deserted hallways of Anadawn Palace, both of them pretending as if they hadn’t been looking for each other.

Tor was standing guard. She winked at him and to her wicked delight, he blushed.

‘You can drop the act. I know you can swim.’ Wren fluttered her lashes. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’ ‘If you want a moment alone, there are better ways to go about it.’ Tor’s lips were cool against the shell of her ear. ‘I saw you float at first. You looked as if you were enjoying it.’ ‘I was in shock,’ said Wren, mildly. ‘Everyone knows I’m terrified of water.’ He turned to look at her. Droplets hung like beads from his lashes, the grey of his eyes the exact shade of a thunderstorm. ‘Liar,’ he whispered. Feeling reckless and overcome with desire, Wren turned her face and pressed a kiss to his neck. A shiver passed through Tor and she felt him harden against her.

‘Well, I never say no to rum.’ Shen rolled to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers. And to be honest, Princess, I think I’d find it hard to say no to you at all.’

Wren laughed in his face. ‘Oh, please. You enjoyed it. You wanted it. You want it even now.’ She pressed herself against him. ‘I can feel it.’ Tor swallowed whatever he was about to say. Wren didn’t move. It would have to come from him. ‘If you want it, take it. I’ve made it more than clear how I—’ With a rumbling growl, Tor took her face in his hands and kissed her. It was like being swept up in a storm.

She heard the staccato of his breath in the silence. His lips parted, as if he wanted to say something. ‘What is it?’ she said, softly. But Tor couldn’t find the words. He reached for her and she went to him. And then they were kissing again. This time, they didn’t stop.

He trailed his fingers down her wrist, gently pressing his thumb against her racing pulse. ‘Forgive me for thinking there was something between us, Wren. I must have misread your moans.’ She swallowed, thickly. ‘You must have.’ ‘Liar,’ he whispered.

‘Wren is my closest friend. I’ll always look out for her and I know she’ll do the same for me, but there’s no spark between us. There never has been. But you, Rose …’ He paused, tilting her chin up so she was looking directly into his eyes. ‘You set me on fire.’

‘I don’t know how to kiss,’ she blurted out, then winced. Oh, that was not at all what she meant to say. ‘I suspect you might be a natural.’ Shen leaned down close,

Wren heard the whisper of steel behind her as Tor stepped forward. His sword appeared in the next heartbeat, a flash of silver in the corner of her eye. He angled it at Rathborne.

‘Please stop showing off,’ said Rose, in alarm. ‘You’re going to start a war.’ ‘I think it’s a bit late to worry about that.’ Shen curled an arm around her waist. ‘You look beautiful, by the way. Is it bad luck to kiss the bride?’ Without breaking her gaze he used his free hand to punch another advancing Gevran. ‘On second thoughts, I don’t care.’ Then he dipped Rose and kissed her.