It was the softest of touches. His lips like petals, brushing against my own. My mind went completely blank, and all I could do was feel.
Coming here was a mistake, thinking I could get this close his alluring darkness without being swallowed by it. I had miscalculated, and yet I couldn’t pull away.
Not when I finally tasted the cherries on his lips for myself, and certainly not when every bone in my body screamed for more.
I’d never admit I had been the one to change this moment, to douse it in gasoline until the soft and sweet gesture went up in crackling flames. Perhaps if I had climbed off him and made a hasty retreat, he would’ve never known I had been in his room tonight, intent on using his own magical relic to get some answers.
It was too late for that, I realized. Far too late.
Instead of pulling away, I leaned in and deepened the kiss. I drowned in the taste of him, in the scent that made my blood sing. That whi
Breath was knocked from my lungs as Dain snatched the knife from my hand, flinging it across the room before flipping us over on the bed.All too easily he had taken control, his chest heaving and bare muscles stealing the moonlight. Leaning over me with his hair tousled from sleep, his eyes were wide and roamed my flushed skin like a man deprived of light. I was left with no time to process as his lips came crashing against my own.I had tried to fight, vaguely aware of Rayna’s lingering presence in the back of my mind, watching in stunned silence as she tried to figure out how I had landed myself here—while also providing absolutely no help.My lips parted for his on their own, desperate, and eager despite how hard I fought. My fists slammed against his chest, but the moment his tongue darted out and brushed my own…the taste of him, sweet and tart but also masculine, it was my undoing.I wasn’t sure when my hands had drifted tow
I ignored the way he made me feel, the way his every look could stop my heart, or the way his words filled me with a confidence that felt far beyond my years.He had seen and touched parts of me no one else had before, seen my insecurity written across my soft stomach and large breasts. The way he had looked at them, not seeing imperfection but everything he had ever dreamed of.That kind of confidence was dangerous, and I could already feel it going to my head as I sat there blushing, trying to concentrate on what he was saying and not how sinful he looked sitting there, shirtless and bathed in moonlight.“You’re not mad at me?” I couldn’t help the disbelief that inched its way into my voice, not when he sat there staring at me as though I had already won this game between us.“How can I be mad at you, Rachel?” There was genuine confusion in his voice, making my jaw drop even lower.This man was truly insane, th
“You…and your brother.” This was the verse that had me on edge, the one I couldn’t piece together. “Did you figure out what it means?”“It means one of us will die.” He shrugged. The callous way he talked about his own life; it made a flicker of anger start in the pits of my stomach. “The memory of one will live, should the other survive. If only we knew who was who.”“What about the other prophecies?” I asked, referring to the individual ones for Nadia and me.Dain paused, and I caught the split-second hesitation. It was astounding how much I noticed when I actually paid attention to him, when I allowed myself to memorize every expression and flicker of light in his eyes.“Which ones?” He asked, lifting the glass to his lips.Oh, he was good. More than convincing as he waited patiently for an answer, his eyes never once straying or conveying more
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I hissed out loud, even though I was alone in my suite.‘It’s a good plan. You helped come up with it yourself.’ Rayna replied, more active than ever since Dain and I had kissed. I was still a bit miffed she reappeared without so much as an explanation. ‘Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining about it at the time.’‘You have no say in this, because you decided to take a vacation and leave me alone.’ I explained, commending myself for my patience.‘Maybe I should leave you to your own devices more often.’ She grunted, swishing her tail irritably. ‘We’d be in his bed by the end of the month.’‘Don’t think I don’t notice how you say that like it’s a good thing, and I’ll have you know--.’“Are you not dressed yet? Leslie is ready to come in here and do it hers
“That was incredible!” Adley squealed, lowering her voice to a whisper as I hushed her. Her grin was wide and endearing, “Sorry, sorry. This is all just so exciting! I love weddings.”Ally’s voice was bored, “Except for the fact that it’s—"She grabbed my hands, her smile widening when Ally rolled her eyes. “You have to let me help plan things. I can see it now. It’s going to be one of the biggest events in history!”“Of course, you can help plan the wedding.” My smile was carved from granite, and only grew harder when Dain’s deep laugh sounded from beside me.I opened my mouth and tried to relax my rigid posture as he placed a small piece of candied fruit into my mouth, his eyes lingering on my lips. I reminded myself that this was all about being seen. We were playing a role, acting just like Adley and Gerald had when they moved into town.His soft lips,
‘Do you think it’s a trap?’ I asked the moment Dain let me enter his mind, carving out a small alcove for the two of us.‘I’d be surprised if it wasn’t, but why and for who?’ His voice was thoughtful and distracted.“Oh my goodness, did you see her?” Adley skipped to my side, looping her arm through my own. She sounded breathless as she veered us off the main path, down a smaller one that lead to a pavilion where all sorts of sweet and savory scents began to waft through. “She didn’t even use any magic and I have chills, and those men following her…”We were surrounded by wood-burning stoves and bonfires. Spits of meat turned over high heat, charring the skin until it crackled and blackened. Thick armed men kneaded dough, barking orders at the others who flitted from the oven to the crowds building around each booth.It was pure chaos, not a single file line in sight.
It was Dain’s steady hand that brought me back to the present, gently prying my fingers from where I had grabbed hold of his shirt. My mouth shut with a click, and I blinked back the splotches of orange light that lingered in my vision.“That is a dragon.” The stars in his eyes twinkled with excitement and just a hint of his usual madness. He held up the package in his hands, “And this is a mooncake. They have a long history in this kingdom, and in my family.”I couldn’t pull myself away from his eyes, not when they traced over my face, studying my every reaction. I had to force myself to look down as he peeled back the sparkling paper, sending it careening into a bin with a nod of his head. It was a pastry, but one I hadn’t seen before. I was certain I hadn’t tried it during my time in Iridian.“You can only get them here, during the festival of Night.” He explained, again maneuvering us away
“Alright, who pissed the dragon off?” Apollo shouted seconds before another deafening roar sounded, making the trees surrounding us groan and creak. His eyes were trained towards the night sky, but mine were focused on his suit, and the magic so clearly radiating from its fabric.“Who thought it a good idea to bring a dragon to a festival anyway?” Helios frowned, his stance tense and waiting.I had seen Helios fight firsthand, and while I hadn’t witnessed any of his magic, I knew the mountainous warrior was a force to be reckoned with. My eyebrows furrowed a little more when I realized Apollo’s suit wasn’t the only one shimmering. Helios and the others, theirs were too.Erebus, with his wheat-colored hair and striking lavender eyes, gave Apollo a pointed look.Cain brushed the midnight locks from his forehead whilst snarling under his breath, “reckless idiot.”Apollo scoffed, offense ma