“It’s fine. Let’s just go end this,” she said in way of a peace offering.
They made quick work of the last two flights of stairs, but when they made it to the top, Icarus reached out to grab Seren’s hand, fire lighting through his body. He instantly withdrew, regretting the instinct, but Seren just gave him a knowing smile. It was worse that she knew how much he wanted her.
“Let me go first—”
“That’s some patriarchal—”
“Not because I don’t think you are capable. You know I do.” The fire in her eyes dimmed a fraction. “I want to see if the room is there for me. Just give me one minute.”
Seren sighed, but leaned her lithe form against the wall in answer while Icarus fought down unwelcome thoughts. The hall was ever as it was with only scattered rooms used for storage. This floor was largely untouched, and he had only ventured to it a few times when he was searching for the place he now hovered on the precipice of. Yet when he made it to the end of the hall, there was nothing. He ran his fingers along the wall, feeling for any inconsistencies, but it was unremarkable.
Heels on stone had him glancing up to see Seren having given up on his one minute, but then he felt it. As if her presence summoned it, ridges in the wall appeared under his fingertips, and as he stepped away, a narrow wooden door took shape.Incredible.There was no world where any of his ancestors would have found what didn’t want to be found and yet- he glanced to Seren whose hips swayed with intent. What witch, wizard, and humankind had killed for gave itself freely to her. It was enough to loosen something inside his chest that hadn’t been free in many years.
“Well, was it there?” Seren asked him with her head tilted to the side.
“No.” His voice was breathy.
Seren smirked. “How improbable.”
Fuck if he didn’t want to wipe that cocky grin off her mouth with his own. Seren’s smile faded, and it was like she heard his base thought. She stepped toward him, laying a hand on his chest. It burned through him, searing his good intentions or at least what was left of them.
“Icarus.” His name on her lips was like candied wine.
He thought about reaching up and running his fingers through her midnight curls that gathered over her shoulders. Imagined what it would feel like to give in. He couldn’t. He stepped back and placed his hand on the door handle willing away the onslaught of emotions building in him.
Seren let out what was very nearly a growl. “We are going to save my sister and then we are going to talk about this Icarus. It's getting old quickly.”
Icarus ignored her and opened the door letting out a floral aroma that lingered in the air around them. Seren pushed past him, ramming her way into the room before coming to a halt just as suddenly.
Icarus scanned the room for signs of his uncle or Calder, but there was nothing. Instead, the room was illuminated only by the glow of the full moon filtering in from the glass ceiling. At the center, a fountain overgrown with vines stood. The room was lined with the beginnings of a litany of flowers and plants that looked as if they had recently taken root.
“I was here only days ago. Days ago and there wasn’t this much . . . life.” Seren breathed out.
“What do you mean?” Icarus fought the urge to reach for her.
Seren whirled, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I mean. There were no plants, no flowers here just a few days ago. It was desolate, and the smell was like fresh soil. This doesn’t make any sense. None of this makes any sense.”
The more she spoke, the more panic crept into her voice. He stepped forward without a thought and pulled her into him. Her body taut with tension relaxed into him as she wrapped her arms around him. He breathed in the scent of her like snow at midnight.
“We will find her.” After all, he knew her panic wasn’t for the state of the conservatory. He knew Seren and Arabella’s relationship was tenuous and complicated, but he also knew Seren cared about her sister.
“I thought she would be here,” Seren said into him.
“My brother probably just whisked her away. She’s fine, Seren. For all his misgivings, Calder cares about her and will protect her.” He wished his uncle’s intentions didn’t sour the words.
Icarus longed to bend his head down and press a kiss to the top of her head, to let her know she was just as cared for and safe. The lapse in his judgment was a snapping band bringing him back to the waking world. He pulled away from her, letting the cool air center on where her warmth had just been.
Seren shook her head and stared at him as if he were unreasonable. “Why do you do that?”
“Seren,” he warned. Now wasn’t the time.
“No. We are having this conversation now. Why do you push me away?”
“For obvious reasons.” Icarus ground out. He would rather do their dangerous dance of wills than speak the words she wanted.
“Do you know what they say?” she took a step closer to him and he fought the urge to step back to distance himself from her and this conversation. “They say you are arrogant and cold because you sold out your father in the war.”
He winced. He knew what they said, but hearing it from her mouth was its own special torture.
