I know, he purred as his grin widened and his tongue danced across the tip of his canine.
She rolled her eyes, desperately fighting her pleased smile, and tried to pull away from him. He didn’t let her get far before he pulled her flush against himself once more.
“But I still want to hear it singing from those pretty lips,” he said, his voice low.
Maeve shook her head devilishly.
Grinning ferally, he said, “I’ll coax those words from you, kitten.”
Her stomach flipped over, excited energy racing through her blood as she remembered their interrupted moment the previous night. When his armor vanished and she lay beneath him.
“Is that a threat?” asked Maeve, raising her brows and parting her lips.
“Consider it a promise,” he said. “It’s one of many things I plan to make you confess.” His hands slid down her sides and gripped her hips with a jolt. “And just wait until you hear my confessions, Maeve.”
Maeve laughed. A sound of pure, unbridled joy burst from her throat. The sound a woman makes when she feels completely worshipped. Her head kicked back, and her eyes closed as the sound poured from her.
Reeve bent over her, dipping her back and watching her face. “Absolutely fucking perfect,” he muttered with a sly grin.
He drew her back up, never taking his eyes off her. When she stood straight once more, he released her. He tucked two fingers under her chin and pulled her to the tips of her toes. He planted a single, soft kiss against her lips, and once her head was fuzzy and filled with desire once more, he nodded his head towards their family and friends.
Her fingers found his as they crossed towards the pack of drinking and laughter. Abraxas scooted over, making room for them. He leaned forward and poured Reeve a stout drink. Reeve accepted it with a small nod of reverence. He settled back with Maeve, draping one long arm across the back of the plush sofa behind her.
“I’m just saying,” said Alphard, his fingers over Victoria’s in his lap, “it was because of me we got out of those summer classes.”
“No, it wasn’t,” barked Antony in a half-laugh. “I told father to write Larliesl and tell him if we didn’t come home for summer, that he’d pull his dueling club donations.”
Alphard’s face dropped.
Abraxas snorted. “You’re both idiots.”
Antony and Alphard looked his way.
He shook his head. “Uncle Ambrose didn’t threaten Larliesl with pulling any donations. Larliesl was never even going to force you to attend summer school. They both just wanted to watch the pair of you stress and scramble.” He sipped his drink in satisfaction.
Antony and Alphard stared at each other, both knowing that if Abraxas said it, it was likely the truth.
“Where is Larlisel?” asked Antony, his tone lighthearted, not knowing the question was a loaded one.
“He’s at Morana,” answered Abraxas.
“Not for long,” said Maeve swiftly as Abraxas’ face drifted into thoughts she couldn’t bear to imagine.
Her cousin witnessed firsthand the decline of his life, his people, and his loved ones in the Dread Lands. He’d watched Shadow’s darkness take over. He’d watched her defile the one she’d sworn to protect.
The one she’d failed to protect.
“When is that happening?” asked Zimsy.
Eryx stiffened beside her.
Maeve didn’t answer right away, dreading having to tell her best friend just how soon they’d either salvage what was left of their world or watch it fall to ruin.
It sat at the back of Maeve’s mind like an incessant reminder of what she faced. And based on the way it bore down on her shoulders, she knew facing Shadow was a breath away. Still, selfishly, she wanted to linger in that moment.
In the moment when her brother lived and told stories of their life before. She wanted to listen to Arianna speak of her children’s father without crying, telling Antony how Arman died for Maeve, not with resentment in her voice, but with pride in her eyes. She wanted to cherish the way Eryx looked at Zimsy, certain no one had ever vowedto protect her in a way that triumphed over Maeve’s promise except him. She wanted to bathe in Alphard and Victoria’s forgiveness.
Abraxas, who watched Lyrux closely if he even disappeared behind a chair for too long, was just as tense as she was. She could feel it. The rest of them didn’t carry the weight of consequence like Maeve and her cousin did.
