Samian lifted me from the bed, his hand raising to tuck a lock of dampened hair behind my ear, but lingered when his thumb brushed against the tip.
“They’re becoming more arched,” he whispered, his thumb rubbing against the shell of my ear.
“My eyes are greener too,” I said, nodding. I still couldn’t decide how I felt about the physical changes. I didn’t care that I was stronger or that my vision had sharpened; I welcomed those changes. What unsettled me were the ones I could see—the proof of how much less human I was becoming. It was hard to wrap my mind around it, though I couldn’t confidently say that I hated it. Not when I’d found a family that accepted me—all of me—into their lives without a thought or care in the world. Yet, there was a lingering sadness welling at the loss of my old family, the friends that I left behind without a word.
As if sensing what I felt, Samian pressed his lips against my forehead. “Let’s get going then. We are already late, and I know Aster will probably kill us if we take too much longer.”
Snorting, I shook my head. “Well, hopefully she starts with you. I was ready a while ago and have beenpatientlysitting here waiting for you.”
Samian clucked his tongue, pushing me out of the room. “You’ll pay for that later.” His voice turned deep and rough, causing a shiver to dance down my spine.
The memory of earlier tonight, of me straddling him, came through the soul-bond along with the burning desire he felt. I stopped, my head whipping toward him. My eyes darkened, my blood heated, but Samian shoved his hands into his pockets,flashing me a quick smirk as he walked by me and into the obscured hallway. I could feel a blush climbing up my neck and face, but I cleared my throat, forcing myself not to think of what he would do to me when we were alone again.
Salem brushed against my legs, pulling me out of my heated thoughts to follow Samian. Rushing up to them, I closed the door to the hidden room, trailing silently behind them. Once we got further into the passage, Salem ran ahead of us, his ears twitching before disappearing within the shadows.
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to that,” Samian sighed, staring at the now-empty hall.
“I kind of like his presence,” I shrugged. “I like him much better like this than how he looked before.” A shiver crawled down my spine as I thought of the empty black face that watched me from afar. His cat-like shape was much easier to accept than his original form, though I could still do without the dreams of him maiming and killing.
The door to Aster’s office came into view, and I reached out for the handle to open it when Samian’s hand wrapped around my arm, wrenching me back and pushing me into a wall. I gasped as magic tingled down my arms, ready to strike—then Samian’s lips crashed into mine, his hands hot as they slid to my waist and down my hips. He pulled me into him, his body becoming flushed with mine. His tongue swiped across my lips, and I opened for him. Our kiss became wild, a clash of teeth and tongue as he swallowed my moan, his fingers digging into my hips as he ground against me.
Samian jerked away then, his hands threading through his silver hair. I leaned back against the icy wall, breathless, letting the chill seep into my skin to help me calm down.
“Fuck, I’ve been wanting to do that since the forest.” Coming back to me, he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. “Wereallyneed to talk with Aster. Open the door before I change my mind and carry you back to your room.”
I stayed frozen to that spot, my breath feeling shallow, staring into Samian’s heated gaze. I ran my tongue over my swollen lips, almost ready to let him do just that. But I knew we needed to work out a plan that would allow me to leave the palace long enough to talk to Solaris about my bargain without having Ambrose question my whereabouts.
Taking a breath, I rose on my toes, my cheek brushing against Samian’s as my teeth latched around the shell of his ear, pulling a groan deep from Samian’s throat.
“Stop teasing me,” I whispered before sliding away from his touch.
Samian chuckled and closed the distance, his body warm and flush against my back. “Then stop tempting me, my light,” Samian murmured back. His hand curled around the handle, pulling the door open before I could say anything else.
Daelan and Aster’s heads whipped toward us, the latter looking very unpleasant to be in Daelan’s proximity. Her lips pressed into a hard, thin line, her nose wrinkling in distaste while Daelan grinned, his brows waggling in our direction.
“Get this mutt away from me,” Aster seethed to Samian. “I told you before that this heathen isn’t allowed in my office.”
“Remember your manners, Aster,” Samian laughed. “He is one of the few who are on our side in the palace, and he didn’t cause that much damage last time. We were able to fix everything—almost everything.”
“He talks too much,” Aster sneered, throwing a glare in Daelan’s direction.
I laughed, giving Aster a small wave as I climbed out of the passage.
“Why are you all trespassing in my office?” Aster’s steely eyes burned, taking us in one by one. Her fierce attitude mademe smile, and I quickly moved toward her, wrapping my arms around her.
“I missed you, too, Aster,” I beamed.
Aster straightened under my touch, but after a moment, she relaxed into my hold, timidly patting my back. When I pulled away from our hug, she clucked her tongue, taking a step back.
“I’m glad to see you looking better,” she mumbled awkwardly. “And that you’re not injured this time. But again,whyare you all here?”
“We need an excuse to get Sybil out of the palace for a while,” Samian answered from behind me. “We thought you would be the best person for the job.”
“You mean I’m the only one for the job?” Aster exhaled.
“That too,” Samian laughed. “But it will give you a chance to see Bryony while we’re gone. The assignment comes with some perks.” Samian threw Aster a wink, but the air around us grew tense, becoming weighted. Samian sucked in a sharp breath, muttering a curse as Aster lifted her chin, giving him a look I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It was a look that promised death in the most painful way possible, and then some.
“Why would Aster want to see Bryony?” Daelan asked calmly—almost too calmly, reminding me of the moment of peace you feel just before a storm. “How did you evenmeetBryony?”
