Chapter 14: Allegiance

I opened my eyes to pale yellow sunlight: the summer day blooming through the huge hotel windows. For a moment it was as if I were back on my rooftop, looking out over the bright blur of the city. But no. This view of the city had a lot more money to it than the one from my building. The towers blazed in bright steel and glass. The river shone blue. And I lay in a tangle of sticky sheets and skin, my body just about humming with contentment. The scent of sweat and pleasure hung heavy on the air. I felt Sy's tensely muscled chest against my back and his slow, sleeping heartbeat thrumming against my spine.

I turned carefully, trying not to wake him, and fitted myself against the warm security of his body.

How could I dare to be happy in this moment? This deep, shameful thing I'd done? I should be scouring my skin in scorching water, washing all traces of Unseelie away from me. But I didn't want to do that. I wanted to touch and cradle Sy, to let our shared magic and the thrill of our