My heart begins to pound hard with worry despite the determined expression I keep in place.
What if I’mnotthe one who will lead these fearless soldiers?
The visions can be changed. What if Darrio’s vision of me leading these fae has already changed?
“There is a reason the gods sent her to us,” a rumbling voice hums over the crowd. I look down to see Darrio stepping up to the porch that I just occupied. “It is no coincidence that an angel, so similar to the goddesses, was sent to us.” His bright eyes raise to me, holding on me for so long my lungs ache for air.
I am no angel. Only an especially gifted fae.
But he’s right. My image must be for something. Perhaps my wings are designed for this war or … perhaps they are only meant to inspire.
And they do.
As more and more begin to nod, Darrio does not wait for their beaming approval.
“Enjoy tonight. Drink and rejoice. Get some rest. Because tomorrow we have a war to win.” Without further words of encouragement, the Armed Seven’s commander steps away from the crowd. Darrio’s posture portrays his confidence as he strides toward his brother. The two begin to whisper among themselves as Ryder disappears into the crowd.
I land without a sound and I’m just about to join my men when a petite fae woman shimmies up to Darrio’s side. She probably just needs to speak with her commander. It’s simply a normal exchange between soldier and commander, I’m sure.
My calming thoughts don’t last long.
Her swaying hips hold my glare as I stop in my tracks.
Her dirty little hand skims up Darrio’s hard chest and she toys with a piece of his soft hair until he finally looks away from his brother and gives her a glance. I watch quietly from behind them. An ember of rage burns through me, but I hold my aggression and wait.
His hand clasps around her thin wrist and he tosses her hand back from him like it’s a crawling insect.
“I’m going to stop you right there.” His deep voice holds humor. “My girlfriend would literally kill you just for touching me.”
He’s not wrong.
My arms fold proudly over my chest and my head raises a little higher. Suddenly I feel like I just won something I didn’t realize I was competing for.
“Your loss, fae.” With too much enthusiasm she swings her hips and walks away from him.
Dax meets my eyes and slowly takes a few steps back, giving me a sly smirk from over his shoulder.
On quiet footsteps, I trail behind Darrio, my movements are silenced as if my body is just the wind and the earth wants nothing more than to cradle me softly. When I’m only inches away from him, my wings unfurl with a pleasant whisking sound. They fold around his body at the same time as my hands push under his soft shirt. Hard muscle and thin lines of scar tissue meet my fingertips. Darkness wraps all around us, only the faint crimson glow of the night sky peeks in on the two of us.
My body aligns against his back. My chin tilts up and my breath skims his neck, making his shoulders tense beneath my words.
“Yourgirlfriend, huh?”
My fingers lightly toy with the thin hair that trails down the center of his solid abdomen. Hesitantly, his index finger traces the curves of my right wing, sending a tingling sensation down my spine and all through me. Warm breath fans against that wing, trailing after the movement of his hand.
“Should I call you something else?” The slow movement of his finger along my sensitive wing trails closer to my shoulder as he turns in my arms to face me.
Soft lips meet my collar bone and I tilt my head for him as his tongue swipes over my neck. My eyes flutter closed and I meld into his warmth.
We’re alone he and I. Alone in a crowd of people. We’re hidden away beneath the cover of my powerful wings. This is what I use my powers for; sexy times beneath the veil of my majestic and mighty wings. Lady Ivory would be so proud.
“Why—” A shaking breath interrupts my thoughts as his tongue flicks up the column of my throat and his lips trail over my jaw. The rough, scraping feel of his beard followed by the soft flicks of his tongue make my thighs clench together from the conflicting senses. Strong hands grip my hips, pulling me against his hard body. “Why didn’t you want her?”
I have all of them. It’s selfish, I know it is. But it’d be fair for Darrio to see other people as well … Wouldn’t it?
I can’t guarantee I wouldn’t murder the woman afterwards, but it’d be fair for the moment.
His torturous tongue halts and he tips his head low until his temple leans against mine. His gaze drifts to the emerald necklace at my throat before studying my eyes again.
