Because the wolf bristled from head to tail every time it saw him, Varkas had been forced to sleep alone for the past several days.
Her decision was therefore welcome, yet it also filled him with unease.
Would I really be able to endure it to the very end?
Quietly looking down at the woman breathing evenly in his arms, Varkas let out a heavy sigh before turning toward the door.
"I'll be leaving now."
"Please... take my rain cloak."
The healer hurried after him, snatching the cloak hanging on the wall and offering it to him.
He wrapped it securely around Talia, making sure not a single part of her was exposed, before leaving the cottage.
By now, gray darkness had settled heavily over the castle gardens.
As he stepped into it, the thinning rain dampened his back and shoulders.
He hardly noticed the cold.
Every one of his senses was focused on the warm breath brushing against the back of his neck.
Carefully shielding her from the rain, he gently pulled back the hood that had been drawn low over her head.
Her thick golden eyelashes cast long shadows across her faintly flushed cheeks.
As he carefully brushed away a bead of rainwater with his thumb, her delicate eyelids fluttered open, revealing vivid blue eyes.
"Varkas...?"
"Yes. It's me."
His low, husky voice blended into the damp air.
Clearing his throat, he added,
"Go back to sleep. I'll carry you to your chambers."
Still dazed from the effects of the medicine, she quietly rested her face against his chest.
Varkas tightened the arm supporting her back.
The warmth radiating through her clothes and the sweet scent mingling with the fragrance of fresh grass struck him with a dizzying force.
After fastening the rain cloak more securely around her, he quickly crossed the dark forest beneath the falling rain.
By the time they reached the main castle, he was soaked as though he had climbed out of a river.
Yet inside, his body burned as if it were on fire.
Ignoring the startled servants rushing toward him, Varkas climbed the stairs.
"I don't require any assistance."
His warning stopped the servants in their tracks as he opened the bedroom door.
The room was brightly illuminated by candlelight.
Stepping inside, he carefully removed the rain cloak wrapped around Talia.
Fortunately, she had barely gotten wet.
After casually dropping his own soaked robe onto the floor, Varkas gently laid her upon the neatly made bed.
At that moment, a slender arm wrapped itself around his neck.
Just as he tried to straighten up, a rough breath escaped his lips.
Her softly husky voice brushed teasingly against them.
"Don't move away. It's cold."
"...My clothes are wet."
"Then hurry and take them off."
Half-lidded eyes quietly gazed up at him.
Her warm, flushed fingers brushed the wet strands of hair back from his forehead.
His heart slammed heavily against his ribs.
His eyes became fixed upon her slightly parted lips before he slowly turned his head aside.
As he tried to free himself from her embrace, warm lips suddenly covered his own.
The feeling of her small tongue slipping through the slight gap between his lips shattered his resolve without resistance.
Varkas immediately cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
Her tongue tasted faintly of herbs, rich and sweet as honey.
He kissed her with quiet insistence while drawing her delicate body tightly against his own.
The water soaking into his clothes quickly spread into the fabric of her dress.
The wet silk clung tightly to her smooth skin, leaving every graceful curve plainly visible.