Right. In the past, they wanted to mind-fuck you, which included creating options that were easy and others that were harder. They had ages to perfect that, but this time, they only had a matter of minutes.Minutesto create a horrible and deadly obstacle course. Right? That’s essentially what we’re stepping into?
He nodded.
They didn’t have time to think it through. They did whatever came to mind. They would’ve fallen back on their training, and I am almost certain they will throw in the worst of the obstacles from the other openings.Those blueprints are already there. Grab and go. They’ll want the ones that will kill the most gruesomely. Those arrogant fuckers will want to pay us back for what I did to their wings.
He turned his head to her slowly as more and more information tumbled through her head, reassessing her decision with facts she might not have considered, images or words she might not have properly analyzed. Each time she kept coming back to the same decision. Her gut said she was right.
“You have great instincts,” Zorn always said. “You should trust them at all times.”
Left,she reiterated.
“You are,” Tarian said in a very low whisper as his thumb traced a line across hers, “truly exceptional. You are a rare, gleaming gem in a field of plain rocks. Nature chose perfectly.”
“Are we talking now?” she whispered back.
No. It is best to stay as quiet as possible. I wanted to express that in a physical space so that you understood the gravity of my words.A feeling moved over her, his front pressing to her back and his arms wrapping around her, holding her tightly. He pressed a kiss to her head in quiet devotion. All the space between them filled with sparkling, zinging energy. She felt light and effervescent and carefree. That had to be his magic.
It is,he clarified.I wanted another way to express my delight at your radiance. I hope you don’t mind.
Her belly flipped as she soaked in hiswords, not really understanding how good it felt to hear them. But coming from him, a fae who was a master with a blade, contract killing, information gathering, fashion—everything she’d strived for when carving out her Chester life in the magical world—well, it felt really good to be noticed for her achievements. It felt amazing to be acknowledged for the results of her hustle, especially from someone like him.
And he’d heard all of that echo through her head. How utterly fucking embarrassing.
His mental laugh felt enormous, living in every cell of her body. In every line and seeping into every hard crack in her thick defensive walls. Before she could react, it drifted away, leaving her hollow in its wake.
She stared at the dark tunnels ahead, but her mind skittered back to the feeling of the magical touch. She wondered if it could be used sexually and from a distance. If?—
She flung his hand away and took a deep breath. She needed to get her head in order.
Yes, it can.His mental touch was dark and seductive, but only in her mind. He didn’t magically reach out to her body this time. She heaved a sigh of relief.But thus far in our acquaintance, you’ve wanted my physical touch. That option feels just as good for me as it does to you, so I complied. Eagerly. Using my magic on you intimately will be just for you, and I’ll watch you writhe in ecstasy?—
Awesome, super, great to know. Let’s focus.Shewiped sudden perspiration from her brow.What are we likely to experience in there?
Rivers of gold circled his pupils. His body was tight in some places but loose in others, and she could tell he wanted to reach out to her.
She moved as if to slap him, going so far as to bring her hand up halfway. His hand shot up; his fingers wrapped around her wrist. He blinked slowly, eyes on fire, confused.
“You didn’t plan to actuallyhitme,” he whispered.
No, she thought.Come on. Get your shit together. I’ll let you magically give me a Big O after we get out of this if you want, but right now, I’m assuming I need you focused and alert.
He switched his grip from her wrist to her hand as he took a long, slow, deep breath.Yes, you do,he murmured in her mind, the rivers of gold starting to slow and shrink. She realized he was struggling to pull his eyes away from her.
I find this feeling thrilling, don’t you?he said.It has a way of taking over my thoughts. My body. Everything. It’s so consuming, and when I’m lost to the throes, I can’t find my way out. Don’t want to, maybe.
That’s not thrilling. It’s a nightmare. It’s a struggle to hang on to control. It puts us in danger.
His wide smile was dazzling. So incredibly handsome. He made the Celestials’ flawlessness look plain.
Losing control is what is so thrilling about it, little dove.I’ve never let myself free-fall. Have you? I’venever let myself get submerged in desire so completely that I didn’t care to crest the surface for a mouthful of air. The rush is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I like it.
She didn’t. She hated it, actually. It felt as though she would be swept away. It hazed her mind and made her do asinine things, like give away her kiss or get tangled up in all of this.
I heard your thoughts when fighting for our lives a heartbeat ago,he said as he inched them into the left tunnel. He analyzed the walls and the ceiling.I saw your smile when the Celestial was presenting you with certain death. When you charged him. I honestly wondered if I was hallucinating. No fear, fine. But a smile?
Her brows knitted together. Normal people would have given her a side-eye in unease. Not even Zorn smiled when he was in that situation. It made her seem utterly unhinged. And maybe she was. She’d never really worried about it. But Tarian’s light, breezy tone said he wasn’t done having fun with her.
Like when the guys teased her, she waited for the punch line.
