“Nope.”
Kieran’s hand slipped from my shoulder as he sat up farther, stopping to drop a kiss where his hand had been before rising. The sweetness of the act tugged at my heart. I lifted my cheek just enough to see him walking toward the river. “What’s he doing?”
Casteel’s arm lifted, curling around my shoulders, replacing the lack of heat I felt due to Kieran’s absence. “I think he’s going for a swim.”
My eyes widened as Kieran did just that. Walked straight out into the rushing water and dove under, resurfacing a few seconds later. “That water has to be so cold.”
“It’s not that bad.” Kieran looked over his shoulder at us as glistening water coursed down his neck and spine. “You two should try it.”
I shook my head.
“Thanks, but I really don’t need all my fun bits freezing off,” Casteel replied as he trailed little circles over my shoulder and upper arm.
“Cowards,” Kieran taunted as he waded out farther.
Casteel chuckled. “Poppy will get upset if her favorite part of me becomes damaged.”
I rolled my eyes as Kieran laughed. “You’re ridiculous,” I muttered.
“But you love me.” Casteel rolled, shifting me onto my back as half his body came down over mine. “And especially all my ridiculousness.”
I placed my hand on the center of his chest. “I do.”
The dimple on his right cheek appeared as he caught a lock of my hair and tucked it back from my face. “How are you feeling? And I’m not asking if you’re tingly inside.”
“I feel…normal.” I reached up, curling my fingers into the soft strands of his hair.
“Could use a little more detail, my Queen. What does normal mean for you?”
“It means I feel okay. Not regretful.” I trailed my fingers across his face to the small indent in his right cheek. “I don’t feel ashamed. I’m relieved we did the Joining. I pray that it worked, and I…I enjoyed all of it.”
Casteel’s eyes searched mine intently. “I’m so fucking glad to hear that.”
“Did you think I’d regret it?”
“I didn’t think you would—or at least I hoped not,” he told me, his voice quiet as he traced the line of my jaw. “Thinking about something, and then doing it, and then feeling it afterward are three very different things.”
He was right. “And you?”
“How do I feel about it all?” Lowering his head, he kissed the bridge of my nose. “You’re asking when you already know?”
I mushed my lips together.
Casteel chuckled. “I feel honored, meyaah Liessa. Humbled.” His lips brushed the corner of mine. “Awed. Relieved. Chosen. Yes, I feel chosen. Loved.” He nipped at my lower lip, sending a bolt of heat through me. “Intrigued.” Lifting his head, I saw that the other dimple had taken form. “But back to that tingly part.” He drew his hand down my arm, grazing the curve of my breast with the tips of his fingers. “Are you feeling that?”
“I’m always feeling that when it comes to you.”
“Knew it,” he murmured, kissing me once more. This one was longer, deeper, and languid. “I’m thinking about tempting fate with freezing my interesting bits and joining Kieran. Come with?”
I shook my head. “I think I’ll stay right here.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” When he hesitated, I gave him a little shove. “Go.”
Dipping his head, I opened for him and got lost enough in his parting kiss that taking a dip in the frigid waters didn’t sound like a bad idea. Casteel rose, stopping to pick up one of the discarded cloaks. He knelt, motioning for me to sit up. As I did, he draped it over my shoulders, pulling the halves closed around me.
“By the way,” he said, tucking his fingers under my chin, “you’re beautiful when you’re like this, wrapped in nothing more than a cloak. As beautiful as you are when you’re draped in fine silks and dressed in breeches and a tunic. And tonight, when you moved between us? When you opened yourself to us?” he said, and my breath caught, “and your essence spilled out from you, surrounding us? Entering us? Entering me? I felt worthy of such a beautiful gift as you.”
Tears filled my eyes as he kissed me softly. I couldn’t speak as he straightened, and I watched him walk into the river, joining Kieran. Blinking back the dampness, I curled my fingers around the edges of the cloak and brought it to my chin. I watched Casteel and Kieran, standing waist-deep in the water, and hoped both knew just how worthy they were.