“Fuck,” he said it harshly, into my skin.
When I slid backwards, he yanked me tighter to his chest and abdomen and removed his fingers. He stroked the inside of my thighs, his fingers wet, and I half-struggled against him. I wasn’t trying to get away. I was pretty much trying to do the opposite.
Don’t stop.I kissed his face, flushing when I realized what I’d said.
We have to stop,he thought at me, heat swimming through his hands.We have to stop, or I’m going to drag you into the trees and fuck you against one of them.
I struggled to breathe, to think.
I thought you didn’t do that,I thought back.
He didn’t answer.
I hesitated, thinking about what I’d seen in Maskey’s mind.
No.His thoughts came through harsh that time.I’ll lose control of my magic. I’ll fuck you right here, in front of them. Not to mention, if I really lost control, I’d probably change your hair and face back, since I’m already obsessing on it.He shuddered.Amun’s cock, Shadow. No. You’re notblowingme in front of these fucking cultists.
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t ask what he’d meant about my hair and face.
I didn’t even remind him that he’d said nothing was out-of-bounds.
I didn’t mean things that would definitely make them think I’d lost my mind,he thought at me harshly.Or that would expose you. Or give them reason to think… know… there’s something wrong with my magic.
I swallowed, but only nodded. My fingers stroked through his hair, tracing his jaw, the back of his neck. I kissed his face, caressing his throat, and felt him lean into my touch.
Whatiswrong with your magic?I asked, soft.Are you ever going to tell me?
He didn’t tense at the question, like I’d thought he would.
Instead, I felt something in him lean into me even more.
It took you a long time to ask me that,he thought quietly.
I considered that.
I didn’t think you’d tell me the truth,I admitted.Anyway, I did ask you. The first time you dragged me in a closet, remember? You basically told me not to ask you that again.
He wrapped his arm around my hips and leaned back, looking up at me.
We can’t talk about it here,he said after another pause.
But you’ll tell me?I asked cautiously.
He hesitated, then nodded perceptibly.Since I can’t seem to stay the fuck away from you, you probably need to know,he thought, his gold eyes on mine. His thoughts grew bitter.Not like I really know myself. Or you knowing as much as me will stop me from getting you killed––
“Check out the lovebirds,” Pants mocked, laughing from the nearby couch. “I think you’re right, Norrick. Bones actually likes this one.”
“He’s gone all puppy-eyes with her,” Scar said, laughing with them. His cobra primal swayed in a way that seemed to signify humor where it coiled on his thigh. “Gods, I didn’t think it was possible for that prick to likeanyone,mage or witch. Look at the bone dragon. It’s looking at her with puppy-eyes, too.”
I glanced at the dragon, which perched on the back of our chair, right next to my raven. The dragon was looking at me, its gold eyes intent, watching my face as it flapped its wings, clacking its jaw as it moved closer.
I was a little disturbed to realize that Scar was right. The dragon was looking at me almost shyly. Something like affection shimmered in its eyes as it walked nearer, still adjusting its wings. It never moved far from the raven, but kept circling around and returning to the black bird, rubbing against its feathers.
My eyes returned to Bones.
His face was a lot harder to read.
