“Wait,” Tol interrupted. He looked at the crowd now filtering around us and the curious stares we were drawing. “Come with me first.”
GrabbingAngelborn and Starfire awkwardly in one hand while Tolek clutched the other, I followed him unquestioningly.
He spun me into an empty bathing chamber, closing the door and shutting out the train of voices parading through the palace. Leaning against the dark wood, he lowered his chin and took a breath, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as he thought, collecting himself before me.
Slowly, I set my weapons down on the counter and sidled toward him, not stopping until I stood against him, our hands locked.
His forehead lowered to mine, and we remained like that, eyes closed, breathing each other in. For a moment, the threats on my shoulders fell away, the world fell away. It was only me and my tether to reality, holding me here to stop me from floating off into the clouded fear of what waited. To stop me from disappearing from myself and him.
With each exhale, the questions faded, my senses becoming overwhelmed with Tolek instead. The sound of his heart pounding, and the way it sent mine fluttering. The gentle drag of his fingertips down my arm, and the goosebumps left in their wake. The soft strands of his hair when I lifted my hand to the back of his neck, my fingers aching to dig in deeper.
I swallowed the feeling that we stood on the edge of something monumental.
Tol sighed when my nails grazed his skin, his breath ghosting over my lips. “Spirits, Alabath. The things you do to me.” His hands snapped to my waist, tugging my hips flush against his so I felt every hard inch of what I did to him. Heat pooled low within me.
But it was more than the physical desire between us. That had been there for some time now, though I’d tried to say it was nothing.
With Tolek, there was so much more—a deeper connection built through years of steadfast friendship, endless support, and understanding.Alwaysunderstanding when I was rash or fiery or teary-eyed, but without a fear of prodding me when I needed it.
That was what scared me.
Because therewasso much more between us than the currentmoment. And if we took that step, that one final step, it would forever shatter what we had. I had seen enough ruins in recent years. I wasn’t sure if my heart could face any more.
But sometimes things did not crash and burn—they soared.
Tol cupped my face, one thumb tracing my cheekbone. Hesitantly, he leaned in, kissing the space beneath my ear so gently I shivered. It was different than any reverent kiss he’d placed on my cheek before. This one was laced with the desire he’d hidden for years, and it awoke the one I was stifling.
His smile widened against my neck as he traced it with kisses. I let my eyes fall closed, relishing in how soft his lips were.
With each open-mouthed press of his mouth against my skin, I was becoming weaker beneath him. My body melting into every touch, every breath. That heat turning demanding.
Brushing my hair behind my ear and ghosting his lips up my neck, he whispered, “Tell me what you want.”
The sentence—command—shot through me, and I struggled to rein in my breathing. I had even less control of my thoughts. I arched into him, fingers curling around his arms as I tried to remember how to speak and do what he said.
Tell him what I want.
There were many things I could think of—things that would undoubtedly be pleasurable—but what was it I wantedafterthis? Because I knew that while Tolek would do anything I needed right now, I wasn’t willing to risk the aftermath without certainty.
My head dropped backward as his lips outlined my collarbone. Slowly. Torturously. Waiting for me to say the word.
My hands tangled in his hair, messing it into the disarray I loved so much.
I thought of how many times I had almost said goodbye to Tolek for good—the ax, the Undertaking, Aird…and the hole that always wedged itself into my stomach returned. The one only his presence could fill. Each touch flooded it now, sending sparks through my body. They landed on my heart, igniting it, and I knew without a doubt what I wanted.
I wanted my moonlight on the darkest night.
I wanted the tether that tied me to sanity.
I wantedhim. My best friend and so much more.
I was too blind and broken to notice before, but now, as his lips worked their way back up my neck, my body and my heart knew.
I wanted Tolek Vincienzo, and I wouldn’t let anything—no Angelcurse, no wicked queen, no shattered soul—stand in my way. My heart pounded wildly, heated desire and a bounty of adoration unfurling with each stuttered beat against my ribs.
Tol nipped my ear. “Tell me,” he whispered, as breathless as I was. His hands trembled on my hips.
Restraint. He didn’t dare explore my body further until he had permission.
