I let my head sink down, grateful that I didn’t have to emerge from my warm bed. I’d adopted the Firelander custom of sleeping naked. It made more sense to my way of thinking. Less clothing for Marcus to clean, for example. A sign of my respect for the Firelander. Goddess knew, Keir seemed… appreciative.

But as convenient as the custom was, crawling naked from warm covers to dress in cold clothes left something to be desired. So I lay my head back down and let sleep take me.

Much later, I roused again when Keir slid back into bed. He made every effort to keep the cold air from me, but his arm brushed mine in the process.

His skin was cold.

He whispered an apology and pulled away. But I’d have none of that. Without really opening my eyes, I moved closer.

He was cold. Fool Warlord, standing outside to talk to the guards, naked. I shifted slowly, crawling over him to press my body as close as I could.

He drew a deep breath as I covered his body with mine. A shudder ran through him as I pressed my breasts to his chest, letting my warm skin come into full contact with his chilled flesh. I lifted one hand to cup his cheek, and used the other to stroke the muscles of his upper arm.

I moved my legs between his, and tried to place my feet so that they covered his toes. With my head on his shoulder my hair spread out like a blanket over him. I hummed in pleasure at the feel of his body. The soft skin of his stomach, the coarse hairs of his legs. The occasional scar. All of it Keir. My Keir.

He relaxed beneath me, whispering thanks. I just smiled, and let my thumb trace the soft skin of his lips. The blankets and furs held the heat of our bodies and the scent of his skin.

There were sounds of movement outside, probably a change of the guards. The wind was picking up, causing the tent to vibrate a little. We were coming down out of the mountains, but the chill of winter followed at our heels. Yet within this small shelter we were warm, safe, and dry.

Gradually Keir’s body warmed and I shifted off to his side, so that the poor man didn’t have to bear my weight. I was careful to return to my side of the bed. Keir slept with his weapons next to him, and I’d no desire to bed that cold steel. I nestled down next to him, content with his comfort and ready to return to sleep.

But I’d warmed Keir in more than one way…

Now it was Keir’s turn, his hands moving over my skin, causing my heat to rise. His touch was gentle and I sighed at the pure pleasure of it.

Encouraged, Keir claimed my lips and we spent long slow moments exploring each other’s mouths. Not that his hands stopped for a moment, teasing my skin with soft strokes of his fingertips. I squirmed as he caressed my thighs, wanting more. “Keir . . .”

He chuckled softly. “There is no hurry, Lara.”

“Keir,” I pleaded, but he just kissed me again.

Boldly, I reached for what I craved, but he captured my wrists in one hand, thwarting my efforts. I growled, he laughed, and we tussled for a moment until he pinned my wrists over my head.

The bedding had fallen away and the cold air danced over my heated skin, tightening my nipples and stealing my breath from my body.

Keir loomed over me. There was just enough light to see his eyes glittering with desire, and a playfulness that I’d never seen before.

I lifted my head, trying to gain his mouth, but he would only allow my lips to brush against his. I lay back, and puffed out a breath in frustration. Satisfied, he lowered his mouth to my chest, licked the skin between my breasts, and blew over the moist area. I sucked in a deep breath, closed my eyes and lost my self in the sensation.

Keir didn’t stop, exploring my breasts with his mouth, ignoring the tips to concentrate on the flesh around them. I’d never felt that my breasts were attractive, being on the small side.

Keir seemed content.

He slipped his free hand under my back, forcing me to arch up into his mouth. Lips, tongue, even the barest scrape of his teeth, all combined to make me shiver.

“Keir,” I begged.

“Lara,” he murmured.

The cold air only accented the heat between our bodies. His legs moved over mine, keeping them pressed to the bed. I moaned, trying to shift him, trying to give him access, but he ignored me, and continued to worship my breasts.

Finally, he moved his hand to cover my lower belly, letting his warm fingers splay out. I moved my hips, but he wouldn’t let his fingers move any lower.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

My eyes opened wide to stare into his. “I’m not. . . not really. I’m—”

“Perfect.” His lips hovered over mine. “Everything you are is beautiful, flame of my heart.”

I sobbed.

He moved then, his fingers seeking out my depths and stroking gently. He released my wrists and I clung to him, crying out my joy and pleasure all at the same time. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted more, wanted him, and with a swift move he entered me, and I had what I wanted, and more, so much more.

We both lay gasping, our over-heated bodies cooling in the night air. Reaching for the blankets and furs almost seemed like too much effort, but I stirred, knowing that we’d need their warmth. I pulled them up and over us. They still held our heat, and I settled back with a sigh, making sure we were both well covered.

Keir opened his eyes and gave me a sated smile as I settled in next to him. We held each other close, and were just starting to drift off to sleep when he spoke. “You were hurt.”

His hand was on my upper arm. I nodded. “Just a bruise. I didn’t block the blow.”

“Marcus said you want to learn to fight.” He rubbed my arm gently. “To protect me.”

“It scared me, when Iften . . .” My voice trailed off as I remembered finding Iften standing over Keir, as he lay in the grips of the plague.

Keir wrapped his arms around me, and I lay my head on his chest. “It warms me that you want to do this, Lara.” His voice was soft in the darkness. “And to some extent, Marcus is wrong. With enough practice, you could become a fighter, if you choose. Maybe not as fast as those of the Plains, but with training you could do it. You could do anything, if you minded to.”

I smiled against his chest.

“But your time is better spent at what you do best, Master Healer,” Keir suggested. “Learn how to react, and to work with your guards, to be sure. But think on the abilities that you have now, and not the ones you don’t have.”

I lifted my head. “Just as well. All that armor is hot and uncomfortable. It makes me sweat.”

His eyes took on a gleam, and he rolled me to my back. “Is there something wrong with sweaty?”

“Nothing at all.” I laughed as I hooked my arm over his neck and pulled his mouth down to mine. “Let me prove it to you again.”

And again . . .

The next morning I woke, with a smile on my face, to an empty bed. Keir had probably left me before dawn, his usual practice.

I stretched under the warm covers and relaxed. That was when I noticed the silence. Where were the normal sounds of the morning, the sound of moving warriors?

How late had I slept?

I reached out for the pile of clothing I’d left close to the bed. I eased them into the warmth, and lay there for a moment, letting them lose some of their chill before dressing quickly. I slung my satchel over my head and settled it on my hip before emerging from the tent.

Marcus was sitting there, with my guards. When I came out, they sprang up, and started moving toward the tent. Marcus spoke, his voice cutting through my morning fog. “Finally.”

“Marcus?” I stepped out, pulling my cloak on behind me. As I left the tent, I heard it collapse behind me, and saw that Rafe, Prest and Ander were disassembling it even as I drank.