Название: Defy Not The Heart
Автор: Amy Blankenship
Издательство: Tektime S.r.l.s.
Жанр: Современная зарубежная литература
isbn: 9788873041917
isbn:
Once the world was again standing still, Shinbe looked down at Kyoko just as a passion glazed smile appeared across her kiss swollen lips and her eyes slowly closed.
Already feeling the heartbreak of what heâd just done, Shinbe lowered his lips to hers and whispered the truth against them, "I love you."
*****
Sometime later, deep into the night, Shinbe awoke to find Kyoko dressed, but asleep next to him on the blanket within the shimmering grass.
Not wanting to wake her and face his sins just yet, he soundlessly carried the sleeping priestess, along with the pack she carried, within the walls of the hut where the rest of the group still slept.
Once he had her tucked into her usual spot between the wall and Suki, he slowly slid down the opposite wall, drawing his knees up to his chest, happier and more afraid than he had ever been in his life. But if he were going to die within the next couple hours, then he would die happy.
Shinbe closed his eyes wondering which would be worse, Kyoko remembering, or her not remembering. He knew he would never love another, for one had to have a heart in order to love, and he didn't have a heart. Heâd already given it away. Kyoko had carried his heart since the first day heâd laid eyes on her.
If he didn't die by Toya's daggers in the morning, he knew he would stay right where he was, secretly loving her, and hoping she would notice.
Chapter 2 "Morning Frights"
Shinbe jerked awake with a start when he heard Toyaâs shout. He felt all the muscles in his body cringe at the thought of becoming shish-kabob on Toyaâs twin daggers. Morbid fascination had him slowly opening his amethyst eyes to see what was going on.
"Shut up!â Kyoko yelled, throwing her hand up and casting the taming spell, then instantly grabbed her head in panic as the pain rocketed through her brain.
"What was that for?â Toya growled as he glared up at her from the floor.
"Oww,â her mouth made a little âoâ as she cringed again. âShhh,â She added hoping he would get the message.
Shinbe sighed, knowing Kyoko most likely had a hangover, and Toya wasnât helping the matter by being so loud. He was glad she could paralyze him, even if he did find it strange that the taming spell only worked on Toya. Sometimes he found himself jealous that she could put a spell on Toya at all. It also didnât help that Toya was the only one who could leap back and forward through time, following her into her home world. In Shinbeâs mind, it only brought those two even closer.
He silently wondered if she remembered last night considering how intoxicated she was. Shinbe closed his eyes, feeling his insides clench when Toya snapped at Kyoko for using the spell. So far, everything seemed normal. He reflected back again, trying to remember everything clearly. He found it strange that even for him, last night seemed almost like a dream.
He remembered just before bringing her into the hut, heâd used a shield spell on them to cover up any scent of their love making, if it had been noticeable. He opened his eyes again, knowing hiding wouldnât help if she remembered what happened. Then Shinbe forgot to breathe as he watched Toya lean close to Kyoko, sniffing her.
Toya crinkled his nose up at her, "Kyoko, do I smell alcohol on you?â He sat down in front of her when he heard her pained but guilty sigh. Her hands were still covering her face. "What the hell, Kyoko? Did you get drunk?â Toya couldnât keep his voice from going a little too high, and he clamped his mouth shut when she jerked her hands down and gave him a death glare.
"Toya, Iâm sorry. But if you donât get out of my face right now, Iâm gonna do something me and you are both going to regret," Kyokoâs eyes narrowed. She raised her hand as if to cast the Taming spell on him again, causing Toya to scoot back quickly and growl in annoyance.
Shinbe couldnât help but smirk as Kyoko put Toya in his place. He hid it behind a quick cough. Sometimes those two could be so⦠entertaining. Another cough caught his attention. Leaning over to look around Toya, he could see Kamui having the same problem of trying to hide his laughter.
'Damn, she can be really, really scary, sometimes,' Toya thought as he put his hands in his loose sleeves and turned his face to the side. "Fine, you can tell me later!" he peeked at her from the corner of his golden eyes, knowing he had said that a little too loud. Jumping up, he took off out the door, not wanting to stick around if she tried to âtameâ him again. It was a good thing that stupid spell didnât last long or he would be hurting.
Suki hadnât said a word as she watched Kyoko in wonder. When Toya finally left, she padded softly over to Kyoko. Bending down, she whispered, "Kyoko, Iâm going to go get you some fresh water, okay? You just lie back down and Iâll be right back." She placed her hand lightly on Kyokoâs shoulder shaking her head, wondering how their innocent Kyoko could have gotten drunk. Deciding sheâd wait to ask, she turned and left the hut to get her friend some water.
Kamui couldnât pass up the opportunity and grinned from ear to ear. âKyoko, I canât believe you went out drinking and didnât invite me.â His smile widened even more when Kyoko gave him a cross-eyed look. Sensing Kaen outside waiting on him, he left the hut to join his fiery friend.
Kyoko groaned as her head pounded. She should have asked Suki for help to look through her backpack. She knew she would have something in there for pain, and if she could just find it right now, she would probably take all of it. She saw a shadow fall across her and turned to see Shinbeâs amethyst gaze watching her.
Suddenly, images of him above her, making love to her lips and body coursed through her mind. It was a dream⦠right? A drunken dream, yeah⦠she remembered now. Hangover or not, she couldnât help what she was thinking and felt the hot blush rise up to stain her cheeks. She was instantly thankful one of his guardian powers wasnât being able to read minds, like Kyou could.
"Kyoko, are you all right? Is there something I can do for you?â Shinbe felt guilty knowing she thought it was a dream, as sheâd said last night. But he needed to know if she remembered anything. By the blush that spread across her face, he thought maybe she did. When she finally spoke, he sighed in relief, and misery. Somewhere deep inside, he had hoped she would remember, and put an end to it all.
Kyoko gave him a weak smile. Damn dreams⦠Why did she have to dream of him, of all people? It wasnât bad enough sheâd dreamt of him before in that manner, but sheâd never dreamt of him and woke up only to be so close to him that she could feel his body heat.
She suddenly leaned back, away from that closeness, her emerald eyes wide. There was something in the way he was looking at her, as if he were searching into her very soul. Or getting ready to grope her⦠with Shinbe one could never be sure. She mentally shook her head, âNo. Donât wanna go there, Kyoko, girl, not right now! Think, what was the question?â âUrmmâ¦â
"Shinbe, would you mind looking through my bag, and find the box I keep herbs in?â she put her hands to her head again, trying to stifle the thumping. âNote to self⦠never, ever, go to a party with Tasuki and his frat buddies ever again.â
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