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“You’re a fighter. I love that about you.”

My cheeks warmed, and I gave a single nod. “Show me.”

He did, controlling my power and guiding it through me in a more controlled fashion. The sensation was so odd, but I took notes and when the power simmered under my skin, Vale whispered, “Let it fly.”

The release rang through me, amazing, and as my magic did as I wished, picking up the small icicles and shooting them at the ugly-knobbed tree, I marveled. Each and every icicle hit.

“Amazing,” I exhaled.

“Now you do it with the control you felt. It was different from how you used your power, right?”

He was correct. Before, I’d been more apt to let my power fling about inside me, and when I tired, it overwhelmed me. But Vale had just shown me a new way, a slower, more methodical way.

I tried once, twice, three, four times to mimic Vale’s control. I failed each time, though the improvement was noticeable. If minimal.

On the fifth time, though, I did as I wanted to, striking each small icicle against the ugly tree.

“Nice work.” Vale wrapped his arms around my middle. “I knew you’d get there.”

“I’m sweating.” I wiped away the trickle of sweat that had formed around attempt number three. “That doesn’t usually happen so soon, but it was worth it.”

His lips dipped to my ear. “I know another way to work up a sweat and make it worth it.”

I gasped as he nibbled at my lobe, making his intention very clear. “Vale! I need to practice!”

“Rest is as important as practice.”

“You’re saying that because you’refrustrated.”

“If I have my way, I intend to become even more frustrated.”

“Wha—oh!”

He spun me around and threw me over his shoulder.

My heart thundered as a grin spread across my face. This wasn’t at all what I’d planned for the day, but I’d smite the stars before I stopped him.

“Where are you going?” My voice came out breathy.

“Deeper into the woods. I don’t want the others to be watching when I make you come.”

Oh. My. Stars.

He didn’t go too far into the forest before Vale set me on my feet and pressed my back into the trunk of a tree that had long since died.

When his head dipped and his hand cupped my face, my heart stuttered. And when he took my lips, my knees buckled. Stars, I’d missed this feeling. Of us. Together.

His hand dropped from my face to my hips, the prince gripping the plump flesh there with a soft groan. I smiled into his kiss, loving that my curvy figure turned him on.

“I can’t believe I almost lost you,” he whispered, moving to trail kisses down my neck. “Never again.”

“Never again,” I echoed, my heart thundering with desire as he reached beneath my cloak, cupped a breast, and stroked. A soft whimper left my lips, only to be met by a chuckle.

“I missed that sound. I want to hear more of it. Different types of whimpers and whines and moans from your sweet lips.”

“Yes,” I breathed, my hand dropping to his pants, landing on his buckle. “I want—wha—oh!”

Like a flash, he had removed my hands from his belt and pinned them over my head to the tree and held them in place with a single large hand. Looking down at me, he shook his head. “I’m in control here.”