Building From Ashes

She glared at him. “I did a lot of penance! I actually added to what he gave me because it didn’t really seem like enough. So, to answer your question, yes. I know it’s not entirely logical, but a very deep ‘raised by my aunt’ part of me feels like I am absolutely going to hell for kissing you and enjoying it so damn much that it’s almost all I can think of. And I want to do it again. A lot. And…”

She trailed off, a dazed look in her eye. Then she fell to the floor in a dead heap. Carwyn’s heart gave a leap as he sped over to catch her. “Brigid?”

He looked at the clock. Sunrise. Damn. That had to be the most inconvenient interrupted conversation that he’d ever been a part of. Still, he smiled as he looked into her peaceful face. Then he grinned.

“You enjoyed it? A lot? I’ll be hearing more about that very soon.” He lifted her up and took her to the couch. “I want to kiss you again, but it seems a bit wrong when you’re asleep. I can be patient.” He settled down on the couch and tucked her into his side, making sure her head was tilted so that he could look at her. “And yes, I know this is somewhat creepy, but I’ll fall asleep soon, too. So you don’t have to worry about me staring at you all day.”

Brigid didn’t say a word. She was sleeping the sleep of the newly immortal. At times it was hard to remember that she was so young. But she was. He ran soft fingers through her cap of dark hair. She was young in some ways, but perhaps even older than he was in others. She had suffered. She had fought. His Brigid had conquered demons and beaten back fire. She was remarkable.

“It’s no wonder that I love you so much, Brigid Connor. Now, I just have to convince you that all of this is God’s plan.” He kissed her forehead and leaned back, closing his eyes. “We’re meant, love. You’ll see.”

Brigid woke slowly. There was a luscious scent in her nose and the comforting smell of a warm fire. She could hear Madoc’s snores in the background. Her pillow was warm and firm beneath her cheek. It rose in a comforting breath as she opened her eyes.

Not a pillow.

She froze when she came to and her face was nestled in the crook of Carwyn’s shoulder. His arm was draped around her shoulders and his fingers trailed lightly along her wrist. He took deep steady breaths as her eyes closed again.

Brigid was resting with him. And she didn’t feel uncomfortable; it felt… right. It was Carwyn. And she knew without a doubt that he would sooner tear off his own arm than see any harm come to her while she slept. He must have known she was awake because his breathing changed slightly and a low heartbeat sounded beneath her ear as it lay on his chest.

“Carwyn?” she whispered.

He spoke in a soft voice when he answered. “Yes, love?”

She kept her eyes closed, trying to hold on to the peace of the moment. “Did I sleep here all day?”

“Mmmhmm.”

“Sorry I fell asleep.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s natural. Your body needed the rest.”

They fell silent again, and the only sound was the soft tick of the clock on the wall. What had they been talking about when she fell asleep? Oh, God. Her pathetic schoolgirl crush… When she remembered, she tried to pull away, but his arm tightened around her, holding her in place.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said in a soft voice.

“About my embarrassing confession?”

“No. Well, yes, but I don’t consider it embarrassing. I’m quite flattered, really.”

“Of course you are. And I’m going to die of embarrassment now.”

“No embarrassment.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. She felt the current of it spread over her skin. Past her shoulders. Straight down to her…

“I am definitely going to hell.”

She felt, rather than heard, the low chuckle. “Now who’s being silly?” Carwyn paused, but didn’t stop stroking the inside of her wrist. It was hypnotic. She wanted to curl into his lap and stay forever. “I don’t want to talk about my collar, or your problems. I’m not denying them. I’m just not interested in all the marks against us tonight.” His fingers left her wrist to tilt up her chin so their eyes met.

“What do you want from me, Carwyn?”

“Many things.” A lazy smile spread over his face. “But tonight, I want to hold you, and kiss you, and tell you that I love you as often as I like. And you’re not going to run away—”

“But—”

“Or argue.” He pressed a finger to her lips before he traced around them with care. Brigid’s skin was on fire. “Shhh,” he soothed her. “I’m not asking you to say anything. Or do anything. Just… let me love you for a bit like I want. Please, Brigid?”

His blue eyes burned into hers, her heart gave a quick lurch, and she fell. Utterly and completely.

But she couldn’t say the words. Couldn’t say them when he thought it might be in thanks or out of obligation. So she knit their fingers together and lifted her face to kiss his lips.

Oh, it was sweet. Achingly slow and gentle. One hand pressed against his chest and she felt the sure, steady heart give a solitary thump. Slowly, as if he was trying not to startle her, Carwyn pulled her onto his lap so they were face-to-face. One hand rested lightly at her waist, and the other made a slow, soothing circuit up and down her back, occasionally stopping to play along her neck and the fine, dark hair that covered the nape.