Kulu stiffened, his heart hammering like a trapped bird against his ribs. He managed to break the kiss for a split second, his gaze turning away as his eyes landed directly on the jagged gray scar on her side. A deep, heavy shadow of guilt crossed his features.
"Hana… stop," Kulu rasped, his voice tight and broken. "I cannot… I do not deserve such a favor from you. I failed. My feathers didn't shield you. I let that vermin shed your blood. I am a failed vanguard."
"Screw the vanguard talk," Hana hissed, her hands gripping his jaw and forcing his face back toward hers.
The aphrodisiac was making her skin itch for touch, and his hesitation was driving her insane. She shifted her weight, forcefully pushing his large frame backward until he hit the mattress beneath her.
She straddled his lap, her dark eyes staring directly into his trembling amber ones.
