As Neria lifted her hands to touch the bead, her fingertips skimmed over another chain, still tucked inside his shirt. It shifted, the faint magic and droplets of old blood reacting to her presence.

He still wore the pendant. After all, she told him that he might return it. Someday, but not yet.

Not yet.

As Neria whispered his name Kell closed the distance between them, putting them forehead to forehead and warm with racing hearts, the sharp edges of shared memories. He lifted one hand from the bedclothes to cup the side of her neck, fingertips settling into her hair.

"Neria," he whispered back, like an answer to an unspoken question. He rubbed his thumb over her pulse, then parted his lips to let her in. Arched his shoulders to get the coat off, to loosen his tunic and let her slide her hands under it. As she touched skin he shivered, then pressed into it like a man starving.

His lips found the edge of hers, and then her throat. A sharp breath inward, followed by a hint of teeth. Not quite enough to leave marks, but enough to communicate just how clearly he wanted to.

Kell's kisses kept moving downward.