A growl rumbled from the patrol mount behind them—the beast sensing the blocked path ahead. The crossing marker had shifted to clear passage. Kael finally pulled back, his tongue dragging slowly across his lower lip, savoring her taste. He urged the mount forward.
Selene sank against the padded seat, her fingers combing through her disheveled hair, smoothing the rumpled fabric of her traveling cloak. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her cheeks still flushed with color that had nothing to do with moon-touched cosmetics.
"The den chamber is prepared?"
Her voice came out slightly breathless.
"Same place as always." Kael's eyes stayed on the forest path ahead, but his smirk was audible. "The suite with the open terrace. Overlooks the Silver River. You like that one, don't you?"
"Mm." A low hum of approval. Her hand drifted to his thigh, her nails tracing lazy circles through the fabric. "And my... tribute reward? You know how much effort it took to balance those ledger-runes. A chest of prime silver plus an elite patrol mount—I nearly didn't get it past those ancient fossils on the Elder Council."
"My Selene. Always so capable."