Free The Bridge Beyond Her World (The Boy and the Beast Book 2) by Brandon Barr Page A

speaking to her in harmony with her words. Even the movement of her head and her shoulders had a soft, slow rhythm to it.
    The girl’s parents were right, she was very pretty. Her skin was a mix of gold and bronze, and her dark lashes made her grayish violet eyes even the more captivating. Everything about her face and body had balance, smoothness.
    “I want to assure you that, though we will befriend Pike when he recovers, we won’t forget who he used to be. We saw the report. Why he needed a brain wipe. Your Baron probably thought he’d have a little spy in our ranks, the bastard. I don’t know if that makes you feel better, but if I were in your place, I’d want to know others would never forget the true history.”
    Zoecara’s lips pinched into a small, reassuring smile, then she stepped back into line with the others.
    “Thank you,” said Karience. “I think Winter and Aven have had just about the fullest day one could possibly endure. Their land baron, Rhaudius, as Zoecara eluded to, was the worst kind of Royal oink you could imagine. I had to use the good night device aboard the ship and then, afterwards, negotiate with the Royal ass for Winter and Aven’s lives.”
    “Do you expect him to cause trouble in the quorums?” Nephitus asked.
    “I’d be surprised if he could. I talked to some of the Royals prior to the mission. King Darmelion made it seem that his reputation preceded him in most circles. Princess Liyza wrinkled her nose the moment I mentioned his name. I think the majority of Royals have enough good sense to humor his complaints but ultimately do nothing. I already sent a report to the Magnus Empyrean, just in case there is trouble.”
    Karience raised an eyebrow. “I have to catch up with Alael about Pike. Nephitus, I’m sure you’re needed back at the God’s Eye.” She glanced at Winter and Aven. “I’ll leave you in the hands of our Missionary enclave. They can show you to your quarters. I’m certain you are near exhaustion.”
    The moment Karience turned to leave, Winter felt Arentiss’s hand on her arm. “If I can separate you from your brother, I’d be glad to show you your room.”
    Winter hadn’t realized how tired she was until Karience mentioned it. She was full of questions and anticipation of what was to come, but her eyes ached for rest. She lamented the loss of the cozy tree nooks and grassy knolls that dotted the woods around her farm. A bed would do, though.
    “Thank you, Arentiss. I am tired.”
    Aven was already in conversation with Hark, so Winter tapped him goodbye.
    “See you when I wake?”
    “What?” tapped Aven. “We’re not asleep? I thought this was a dream.”
     

CHAPTER 9
     
    ZOECARA
    “Kiss me. Again,” said Zoecara. “Harder.”
    Rueik’s eyes were soft. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “That’s impossible. You’re too sweet to hurt anyone. Now kiss me like I want!”
    He dug his lips into hers, pressing her hard against the wall. Zoecara drank it in. It was good. Good enough. She wished he would scratch all her itches.
    After a long while, he finally pulled away for breath. She pressed her forehead on his shoulder.
    “That was good,” she said in a long breath. “I wish you would…you know. Finish me.” She sighed. “I want it. I want you.”
    He lifted her chin with a finger and the fiery look he held startled her. Whatever thoughts were smoldering behind those green eyes, they were unreadable, not necessarily born of lust. She clenched her teeth behind closed lips and silently ground out her frustration. Prim cultures bred such strange moral qualms, and the sexual ones were really especially annoying.
    She needed to back down. She had pushed him hard again. But it was right—she had to let her humanness show. You never wanted to be so in control you ceased to have faults.
    “I’m sorry,” she said in a penitent whisper. “I lost myself in the moment.”
    Rueik kissed her softly on the top of her forehead. “I love