Page 94 of War

I can hear my heartbeat begin to pick up.

The aviaries. That was a city’s most efficient system of communication. If they were left intact, then other cities could be warned about War. People might then have time to flee before the horseman ever entered their city.

I scrutinize the horseman, swiveling more fully to face him. “Is this some sort of trick? You aren’t just planning on giving me your word only to kill the birds off in some other manner?”

War looks almost pleased at my question. Perhaps his strategic mind likes being tested. Meanwhile, here I am, just finding the whole thing tedious.

“I won’t stop my men from killing the birds,” he says, “but I will not explicitly order them to destroy the aviaries.”

This is the best I’m going to get. And it’s damn well better than his first counteroffer.

Slowly, I nod. I nod before I can truly think through the other ramifications of this deal. The ramifications that are going to costme.

“Alright,” I say softly. “I agree to your terms.”

The horseman’s uncompromising gaze is fixed on mine. Finally, he gives a small nod. “Good. Then we have ourselves a trade.”

His eyes move over me, heating as they go.

“Now, come to me,” he says. His voice has gone rougher, deeper. “Show me what I’ve bought myself.”

Chapter 26

This is reallyhappening.

God, I hadn’t expected it to happen this fast. Maybe I hadn’t truly expected it to happen at all. I think I might still be in shock.

I take a shaky breath. Anxiety and trepidation and perverse excitement all churn in my stomach as I take those halting steps back to him.

One of his hands cups my cheek, and I jolt at the sensation. Now that I know what the two of us will be doing—what I’veagreedto do—his touch feels particularly electric.

“The things I have imagined, wife,” he murmurs, his thumb stroking my skin. Leisurely he drinks in every facet of my face—my nose, my lips, my cheeks, my eyes.

A shiver courses through me.

War leans in, his mouth the barest breath from mine. Just when I think his lips are going to close over mine, he says, “Touch me.”

I swallow.

Raising my hand, I touch his face softly, so softly. I don’t think this is what War had in mind when he gave me the order, but he’s not objecting. He continues to stare at me, his gaze searing.

What sort of mind lies beneath this handsome face? I’d call him evil and yet I’ve seen the human brand of evil. It thrives on cruelty and torture. I don’t think War is depraved, even though his brutality is astounding.

I trail my fingers over his high cheekbone, down his jaw and the column of his throat. I continue to move my hand lower and lower until my palm returns to that spot just beneath his pecs.

War closes his eyes, exhaling through his nose.

He has a warrior's build, which isn’t surprising—and it’s nothing I haven’t already seen. But tonight, when I know it’s going to be pressed against my own skin, tonight Inotice.

Now I’m staring at his chest and those glowing markings. Why am I so nervous? And why am I making this weird? Should I just kiss him?

“Have you done this before?” he asks, opening his eyes.

I nod, not meeting his gaze. I don’t tell him that I haven’t done itmuch. Too tricky with pregnancy.

“Haveyou?” Like an idiot the question escapes my lips before I can stop myself.

War tilts my head up, forcing me to meet his eyes.