indigo court 05.5 - night shivers Read Online Free

occupy you for a moment.”
    Giggling, she curtseyed. “Yes, Your Lordship.”
    As Druise left the room, Grieve kissed me, slow and languorous. His tongue played over mine and my knees went weak as I pressed against him, wanting more. He gently rubbed his cheek against mine, then kissed me again, grazing my lips with his needle-sharp teeth. My breasts were firm against his chest, my nipples chafing as they stiffened against the lace of my bra. Grieve smelled of apples and cinnamon, of the harvest bonfire smoke. Of that hint of snow on the horizon that set one’s senses to crackling. I inhaled deeply, wanting to stay in his embrace forever, to feel his lips against mine.
    “I love you.”
    “Cicely, you will always and forever be the only one who owns my heart.”
    But then, he eased me back as he stared longingly at me. “Unfortunately, we have a full evening. After dinner, we must meet with Strict and the other advisors to figure out what we’re going to tell our people about The Wave Catcher . Perhaps by then, our men will know more.” He paused. “I brought you a present.”
    “You don’t have to buy me gifts.” Grieve was generous, and he often went into New Forest to get things he knew I loved. I appreciated everything he gave me, but I didn’t want him to feel like I regretted giving up my old life, even though there was a tiny bit of truth to the thought. There were things I missed that didn’t translate to life in the Barrow.
    “It’s not something I bought.” He motioned for me to wait while he went back into the chamber that housed our bed. My dressing room was separate, given the amount of work it took to dress for meals and Court.
    When he returned, he had something in his arms. It was the snow lynx kit and she was wearing a beautiful collar. “I had a closer look at her. She strikes me as…gifted. Druise said she’s already agreed to watch her. I think, though, instead of staying in Druise’s room at night, we will keep her here.”
    I took the wild cat. She was a handful. Although a kitten, she was the size of a full-grown Maine Coon. We had a number of cats running around the Barrow. I liked them, and the Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest breeds seemed to thrive in the cooler atmosphere.
    “So, Grieve and I are your new parents, are we? You came across the great ocean, you know. What happened out there? How did you survive?” I held the kit up, staring into her pale eyes. She stared back at me, and I had the uncanny feeling she understood every word I said. “She’s a beauty, that’s for sure.” And then, the lynx reached out and drew one paw softly across my face, letting out a loud purr, then mewed at me—like a cat, only much louder. It was as if she was saying, “Of course I’m beautiful.”
    “She likes you. Seriously, when we brought her to the Barrow, Check came to find me saying that the moment you left to come to our chambers, she started to cry and she kept it up until just now. The moment we walked into the bedroom, she stopped. It was as if she could sense you were here. What do you want to name her?”
    I sat down carefully on the vanity bench and put the purring lynx beside me. She gazed up and, as I looked into her eyes, I realized that she was fixated on me. She reached up and bumped my hand with her head.
    “What’s your name, pretty one?” As I stared at the lynx, she sneezed, then began licking her paw. “You are so sweet.” With a glance at Grieve, I said, “I’m naming her Sweet Pea.” I loved the flowers, and something about this little girl made me think of them.
    “I have a feeling she’s going to grow into something quite unexpected. As to why she survived when no one else on The Wave Catcher did, that’s anybody’s guess.” Grieve rubbed her chin. “Sweet Pea it is.”
    I can tell you something about her, Cicely. Ulean’s voice whispered through the slipstream. My Wind Elemental, she was bound to me on a soul level, and had been with me since