"That's ironic since I'm literally a monster sent from hell. Just how lowly do you think of yourself?" I ask, tracing his perfect features.
My ice elemental closes his eyes. "I don't like you calling yourself a monster. Deargods, you're so warm. It feels so damn good."
My stomach flutters, and I'm wet as hell as I lean up to whisper against his ear so Silas won't overhear. "Actual fucking would be even better."
Everett groans and buries his face in my neck. He grinds against me ever so slightly, sending a jolt of need up my spine—but suddenly, the professor pulls away. He gets off the bed and presses the backs of his hands against his flushed cheeks as he shakes his head, backing away.
"Stop torturing me, Oakley. Now isn't the time for…" He clears his throat and opens the door. "You need to sleep off that episode. I promise I'll get the others back here."
He leaves before I can say anything else.
Once we're alone, Silas moves to lay beside me on the massive bed, adjusting the pillows and blankets to his liking with magic.
"I know you don't believe his curse will actually harm you, but just be warned that the rest of us will kill him if it does."
So dramatic. "No, you won't."
"You doubt me?"
I smirk, letting my eyes drift shut from exhaustion. "You all say you hate each other, but actions speak louder than words. If you were all such enemies, why did none of you kill each other sooner?"
He's quiet for a moment. "If we weren't in a quintet together, I wouldn't hesitate to kill Crypt."
I open my eyes again to study him. Of course, he's not lying. He really hates the Nightmare Prince for what happened to his family. He also doesn't knowwhyCrypt killed some of them, but I don't think it's my place to say anything. I'm not about to start playing referee to these legacies' many issues with one another.
So, instead of addressing that honesty, I glance at his arm resting in front of him. "You could hold me if you want."
His eyes flare. "Want is an understatement where you're concerned, but would it bother you?"
"Not really. Touch is becoming…tolerable." Honestly, it's becoming more than tolerable where they're concerned. "I want this."
He wastes no time wrapping his arm over me, pulling me close until I'm against his chest. Even though my insides clench, expecting the nausea and panic to cripple me, I find that I can breathe just fine, even if my pulse is faster than usual.
"I'm so glad to hear that,ima sangfluir,"he breathes against the top of my head, laying a kiss there.
It's so warm and fucking nice being held like this. My eyes grow so heavy that they refuse to open the next time I blink, but I still mumble, "Stay with me."
"I will."
"Good. And Silas?"
"Tha, imo ghrài?"
Which means,yes, love of mine?
He used theL-word, too. In fae, but still...that word haunts me as I slip closer to sleep.
"If they come back injured, heal them. Even if it's Crypt."
He kisses my head one more time. "Anything for you."
30
SILAS
HoldingMaven in her sleep is an intimate pleasure unlike anything I've experienced. She breathes softly, her soft hair brushing against my chin as I wish this moment would never end.
But the voices in my head have been getting so strong lately that they ruin even this for me.
