He possessed hidden depths that might just be his undoing. Behind his laughter, an ache lurked, a sweltering vulnerability that had been lessened by the temporary aid of Djinn power.
“You know, Uncle,” Cadmus said with a smirk. “I’d just love to stay and chat with you about that stubborn brother of mine, but I can’t. I simply must find my affai. The entire fate of the world lies balanced on my love life. Cue the drama.” He put his hand over his heart, a theatrical dramatization.
Despite my worry for the charmer, he made me want to laugh. So I smacked him in the back of the head.
“Ouch! What the hell was that for?”
“Your mother should have done that more when you were younger.” I couldn’t help the jolt of amusement and love at thoughts of my sister. “The Light knows your father doted on you too much.”
Cadmus smiled, his expression a mixture of fond remembrance and grief. “Yeah, he did, didn’t he? Loved to laugh at all my jokes. Said I’d be king of the castle one day.” At his words, his eyes widened, and he blanched. “Oh, shit! Please tell me Dad didn’t mean overking of the castle.”
I studied him, still unable to foretell which of my nephews would one day assume leadership over Tanselm. Though the terror on Cadmus’ face seemed real, I couldn’t be sure.
I shook my head. “You’re good, Cadmus. But all this inane chatter won’t detract me from the Djinn energy seething inside you. Or from looking for your overeager sorcerer of a brother.”
Cadmus clamped his mouth shut and shrugged. “Sorry, Uncle. I really wish I could help.” He looked at the front door, then back at his room. “I’ve got six hours before I’m due at Outpour, shuffling drinks while I pretend to be Darius.” He paused and aimed an insincere smile my way. “Have I thanked you yet for sending us here? Well, thanks, Unc, from the bottom of my heart.”
He opened his mouth to say more, saw my glittering gaze, and shook his head.
“Fuck it. I’m not letting you turn me into a rock because I’ve got a fucking temper. I’ll see you later. I need my sleep before I hit the fucking bride circuit again. And yes, ‘fuck’ is my official word of the day.” He stomped off to his room, pausing before he went in to glare back at me.
“And just so you know, I’ve been working to strengthen my mind and my clairvoyance. Don’t come to Outpour unless you want to see her again. And you know exactly who I’m talking about, so don’t bother asking me anything more. You know I don’t know.”
I stared in shock as Cadmus closed his bedroom door behind him. I was dimly aware Cadmus had diverted me from Aerolus, as no doubt the sly prince had intended.
Not much threw me, but mention of her did.
Though I needed to find the Wind Mage, I couldn’t help remembering my last glimpse of Lexa. And I wondered what part she could possibly play in Tanselm’s future, or mine.
If I indeed had one any longer.
Chapter 7
Alandra
I woke from my sleep, feeling more refreshed than I had in months. As I stretched, I pushed against a solid chest, one warm and pulsing with energy that tempted me on every level.
How embarrassing that I’d fallen asleep on him. Pray Shadows I hadn’t drooled. I discreetly glanced up at Aerolus and sighed with relief that he continued to slumber. At least I could gather my bearings, and my dignity, before facing him again.
Slowly easing myself up, I sucked in a breath when he grasped my hips and draped my legs so that I straddled him. He murmured something low, then relaxed back into sleep, his hands cupping my thighs.
I debated whether to jump off him or stay still, so as not to wake him. I needed to appear in control of the situation. Or at least, he needed to believe it. For all that Aerolus acted laid-back, he had a tendency to take charge.
And I was running this show.
Unfortunately, my body hadn’t gotten the memo. Glancing down at my bare thighs straddling his warrior-hard body, I felt a renewed surge of lust for the silver-eyed mage. I prized myself on knowing my limits, yet my body never cooled around him. It moved from simmer to boil in a flash.
It was going to be difficult to remain aloof from a man I should have considered beneath me. Staring down at him, I couldn’t help the smart-ass in my that added, literally.
Aerolus sighed and rolled up into my hips. I gave a low groan before stopping myself. How could a man in sleep be so enthralling? Vibrant shades of gold and silver entwined in his aura, a clear sign of latent power that drew me like nothing else could.
Nothing about Aerolus Storm was weak. After a year spent observing him, the only vulnerability he seemed to possess was the deep love he had for his family. Though the Aellei considered any show of open honest emotion a risk, I couldn’t help admiring his feelings. On a deeper level I couldn’t ignore, I felt a tug of envy, wishing I had as much care for my blood kin as he did his.
Unfortunately — if I knew the Aellei royals, and I did — we would likely sign a blood oath to rejoin the Dark Lords. Heck, we probably already had while I sat on top of a Storm Lord, intimately close.
Thoughts of the Dark Lords made me frown, and I unconsciously tapped Aerolus’ chest as I pondered Sin Garu’s connection to the hint of unrest in the royal court.
My exile hadn’t exactly been a waste of time. Though only a few weeks had passed in Aelle, here in this plane I’d had an entire year to gather information. While dodging the occasional Aellein search party and staying one step ahead of the Storm Lords, I’d heard things.
