A tickling sensation slides down the column of my neck. I swallow as an answering shiver runs down my spine.
“AndIcan’t run my hands up the inside of your thigh...”
My lungs push the wind from my chest. My heart is pounding in my chest. Liquid heat pools at my center.Oh Goddess.His eyes are locked on me, and his hands are fisted tightly, knuckles white at his sides. He isn’t even touching me. But my magic is mimicking the dirty fantasy he’s laying out in my mind, running up and down the inside of my thigh. Like fingers gently caressing.
“And,Lila”—his pet name for me is low and sensual—“I knowthat I can’t lay you across this desk and explore your body until I learn every place to touch, suck and caress… until you make that noise you just made…”
My magic finally reaches the spot where I wanthim. But it isn’t enough, and another whimper leaves my throat as I rub my thighs together, searching for more friction. Based on howstrongly my magic responds purely to his words, this is nothing but a dull tease of what he could offer.
A strained chuckle tickles my ears. “Yes, noises just like that.” The tip of his nose gently grazes mine.
My whole body is trembling, off balance. Does he know what his words are doing to me? To my magic.
He takes a ragged breath as his eyes roam over me one last time. “No,Ican’t do any of that. But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to.” He sounds as resigned as the look that fills his eyes.
He turns and strides out of the room, without looking back.
Chapter
Sixteen
CILLIAN
Iwoke up before daybreak to finalize my plan. I’m rarely included in the council meetings with Varethiel. I was surprised last night when Caspien agreed I should join today’s visit there. This is my chance to learn more about how their elemental lands are faring and to view firsthand the politics of their kingdom with the other species cohabitating. And then there is the issue of Aiden’s possible involvement with Nova’s death.
Nissa won’t be happy that I’m looking into things without her. That can’t be helped. I need to make sure she isn’t putting herself at risk. If Varethiel killed Nova, then Nissa could be a target as well.
I don’t believe Aiden would go after Nissa with the royal family and the Guardians there, but if it was him, he somehow convinced Nova to leave security. And she knew better.
Nissa. I run my hand over my face and through my hair, groaning. I’ve ignored her for a week but images from that day still haunt my dreams.
What was I thinking?
I have never put anything over the wellbeing of the Fae, and I cannot start now. Especially with something so important. I’mnot a youngling daydreaming about being mated to my best friend anymore. She is the princess now, and we haven’t been friends in a long time. I don’t know why I can’t stay away.
The last thing this world needs is a whole different set of issues from me getting too close to her again. I don’t know how I even stopped yesterday. Her floral scent in my nose, her soft whimper against my skin.
And my magic… it has never felt as powerful as it did in that moment, barely a breath from her lips. Even in Aquaria, when I was able to use my magic for the first time it wasn’t like that. Not like it was with Nissa…
My cock hardens at the thought of the look on her face when I realized she would surrender herself to me if I pushed. How I almost lost full control of my body with the surge of power pulsing between us.
The sensation shocked me to my core, my magic completely erratic. Was it a glimpse into how it will be once our magic comes of age? If so, it’s going to take a lot of willpower to learn to control it.
I breath the wind in deeply and refocus. Caspien was uncharacteristically quick to agree to my request to join today’s visit, so I need to use that to my benefit.
I wait until the last minute to join the group. My shocked eyes find Nissa, surrounded by Guardians. She shifts her feet, uneasy. Caspien is off to the side with our mother in tense conversation.
I hang back, taking everything in. The security force is going over plans. Earth and wind travel is unpredictable. It’s safest if everyone stays together. Each Earth and Wind Fae is paired with another Water or Fire Fae.
As if she feels my eyes on her, Nissa turns to look in my direction. Her shoulders drop slightly, and she offers a quick smile. I keep my expression neutral as I continue to kick myselffor everything I whispered in her ear. She shouldn’t be here. Or relieved to see me—no matter how much my magic and my cock like it.
My eyes jump to my twin to see if he is watching her too, but Caspien seems too amused by whatever our mother is lecturing him about to notice.
Niko walks up and slaps me on the back. I note the dark circles under his eyes have improved in the past few weeks. After all the whispering about him after Nova was killed, he’s taking it in stride. There is no question in my mind that she would still be here if she’d notified the Lord Commander of the Guardians, or the Guardians stationed outside of her home that she was going somewhere. But my family doesn't seem to care that Nova appeared to have a literal death wish that day by sneaking out.
“I heard you and the princess were joining us today.” Niko pulls me aside, giving me a conspiratorial look along with a quick grin.
“What’s that look for?” I question before glancing back towards Nissa.
