Just Kiss Already Blogfest

I found this Just Kiss Already Blogfest , literally, a few minutes ago and decided to join in. Sounds like fun! And I loves me a good kiss. So, here's my entry. This is from my soon-to-be-on-submission fantasy novel, The Dragon Queen.


A little background: Jade, a self-professed dragon lover, has just become betrothed to the dragonslayer, Drake. She's afraid of him, doesn't like him, and yet cannot escape her marriage. This scene takes place just a few hours after the marriage contract has been signed.

I didn’t understand the way he acted around me, or the way I reacted to him. I looked up into his warm, honeyed eyes. The resulting flash of heat trembled through me, turning my insides to liquid. And, quite suddenly, the fear diminished into nothing more than wariness. That was better. I could live with wariness.

“Jade.” His voice was a husky murmur.

I knew what he wanted, and I waited. Waited for the fear to return. But there was nothing. Just the twinge of anticipation. The mumbled warning to be cautious.

He pressed closer to me. Our bodies brushed and, even through the material of my dress, I felt seared. With the gentlest touch, he tipped my head back.

“Jade.” My name sounded like a prayer and a curse all at once, tumbling from his lips. His head lowered and I could feel his breath on my mouth.

“Drake,” I sighed. And desire swept me away. The moment his lips touched mine, I was lost, drunk, delirious. My lips softened beneath his, parted. His tongue swept in to taste my mouth. It was just the lightest caress, but it turned my bones to water. And I clung to him, allowing him his sinful dance, wanting to join in but unsure of the tempo of the music.

“Jade,” he whispered against my lips. “Beautiful, beautiful Jade.”

I think I might have kissed him back then if I’d had the chance, but we were torn apart by a condescending titter.