“Perhaps because inhibitions are lowered due to the alcohol?”Aerolus offered.
“I don’t know, maybe.”It made sense.But it didn’t explain the connection I’d shared with Samantha, how I’d been able to sense her instant attraction to me as well as her surprising disinterest in a relationship of any kind.
“Must be really interesting reading the thoughts of drunken women.”Cadmus grinned.“Maybe I should show up tonight.You could point out all the women wanting a piece of me.”
Samantha would be there tonight.Thoughts of Cadmus making her laugh, of drawing her to him with his irresistible charm, turned my mood even darker.
I clamped my hands to the table’s edge so as not to put them around my brother’s throat.“What’s the matter, Cadmus?Can’t work your wiles without getting them drunk first?”
Instead of accepting the insult, Cadmus grinned.Not much could dampen his humor, unfortunately.“What you fail to realize, firebreather, is that in insulting me, you insult yourself.Um, hello, but have you failed to recognize how much alike we look?Besides, I don’t need alcohol involved.They love me for myself, stone-cold sober.I mean, look at me!Quad brother.”He smirked then swore as his mug overheated again.
“I was referring to your obnoxious personality, jackass.”
“Jackass?I like that,” Aerolus said calmly, a twinkle in his bright, gray eyes.“It sounds much better thanofconduseater.”
I stood, determined to find some peace even if it killed me.“I’m going back to bed.”
Between my brothers and Samantha Brooks, I was one more frustration away from unleashing my powers and setting the house on fire.
My vision beginning to turn red, I left my mug on the counter and strode from the kitchen.Thoughts of Samantha only enhanced my need to see her again.Something didn’t fit with the woman, something off that my inner senses had detected.Otherwise I wouldn’t find her so enthralling.
I had to stop picturing her dark-green eyes cloudy with passion, had to stop imagining her breasts flushed and full and begging for my mouth.My dick felt impossibly hard as I returned to my bedroom.
But unlike last night, I felt fully rested and able to ignore my desires.After a cold shower and some determined planning, I’d feel ready to tackle anything, especially Samantha Brooks.
Chapter6
Aerolus: The Wind Mage
“More angry than usual.”I sat across from Cadmus, who wore a curious glint in his eyes.
“Yeah.”Cadmus stared at our retreating brother’s back.“It’s that woman Arim mentioned.Wonder what’s so special about her that’s gotten Darius so fired up?”He grinned at the pun and looked up to see what I made of his joke.
As usual, I remained expressionless.Rolling my eyes only encouraged him.“I’m not sure.”I stared thoughtfully at the kitchen doorway, wondering if what I suspected might be true.
I hadn’t exactly told my brothers the truth about my newfound powers.But how did you tell your brothers you could share their dreams?Dream-sharing was as intrusive as Darius’s unwanted ability to read minds.
I’d have to work harder to build my inner defenses against mental intrusion.Not that I distrusted Darius by any means, but I valued the privacy of my mind.If my brothers knew even half of what I thought, they’d never leave me alone.
“You know more than you’re telling.”Cadmus’s eyes narrowed.“Did Arim tell you something you haven’t shared?”
“No.”I cleared my throat.“Arim merely mentioned to keep an eye on Darius, something about a woman intruding into our brother’s thoughts.She’ll play an important role in his future, but more than that I can’t say.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Darius’s dreams.They were more than sexual.My blood raced as I recalled the woman’s features as seen through his eyes.She was incredibly beautiful, exotic, sensual.But Darius’s possessiveness, his needy uncertainty—these emotions were so foreign to the Royal Four as to be utterly alien.
I blinked when Cadmus called my name.“Ican’tanswer you.According to Arim, the woman is important to Darius, to all of us really.But whether or not she’s his affai or one who can lead him to his affai, Arim couldn’t say.You never know.Maybe she’ll introduce you toyourfuture bride,” I threw in to shake my brother’s confidence.
Cadmus wanted marriage like he wanted a knife in his throat.
“As if any one woman will ever suit me,” he said with disdain.“Personally, I hope the womanishis affai.I want to return to Tanselm as soon as possible.Once Darius bonds with her, it’s only a matter of time before she becomes pregnant to cement the Storm Lords’ power.”
“But who’s to say she will bear the Royal Four?”
Cadmus stopped the cup he’d been lifting to his mouth.“Well, I… I suppose we never were told who would become the next ruler of the Tetrarch.I always assumed it would be Darius.He is the oldest, if only by a minute.”A look of horror passed his face.“Are you saying any of the four of us could become Tanselm’s new overking?”
“According to Arim, nothing of the future is certain.”I took great enjoyment in shaking up my easygoing brother.
