“You heard me that time. Very good. Now send me a response,” he challenged.
Putting my full concentration into it, I formulated a scathing reply and imagined myself pushing it out toward him.
All those Court ladies who gushed about your prowess as a lover must have just been after you for your title. You’re notthatgood at?—
My mental message cut off for some reason. I literally couldn’t keep going.
I straightened my shoulders, frowning in frustration and trying to force the insult toward him.
Pharis’ eyes narrowed in amusement, and his lips rolled inward as if he was trying to suppress a laugh.
We can’t lie this way, remember? So I can only conclude that theoppositeof what you were trying to say is the truth. That in fact you did find my kisses—and my touch—quite agreeable, if not unforgettable.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said out loud. “I barely remember kissing you.”
He smirked, clearly unconvinced. “You forgot to say that mind-to-mind.”
Suddenly my vision was flooded with images of the two of us on our picnic in Havendor, or rather the moment when our picnic was forgotten in favor of passionate kissing… and other things.
And it wasn’tjustsights, but scents and sounds.
And feelings.
It was like I was physically back in that intoxicating scene, living it again, my breaths fast, heart racing. Once again, I was experiencing sensations that were unlike anything else I’d felt in my lifetime, weakening me while simultaneously imbuing me with powerful energy and bone-deep pleasure.
Struggling to keep from succumbing to it and embarrassing myself, I forced open my heavy eyelids and interrupted the flow of sensual input.
Pharis was watching me with keen interest, his lips parted slightly and his eyes burning with blue fire.
Did you just put that in my head?I demanded.
Apparently one of Pharis’ recently acquired glamours was the ability to implant visions in another person’s mind.
He grinned.You’re welcome.
“I’m notgrateful,” I sputtered in protest. “I’m… I’m…”
“Hot and bothered? Turned on? Begging for more?” he suggested helpfully.
“Angry,” I said. “I don’t appreciate you using your assortment of party tricks against me.”
“You seemed to be enjoying that one just fine,” Pharis teased.
“Well, I wasn’t. You might be able to force a vision into my mind, but you can’t read it,” I spat.
“Pardon me,” he said. “I stand corrected.”
Clearly he wasn’t convinced. A terrible thought occurred to me.
“Can you also detect spoken lies? Do you have Truthsaying glamour now?”
He gave me a devilish grin but then said, “No. Why do you ask? Are you planning to lie to me?”
I glared up at him. “No, that’syourrole, Prince of Lies.”
“What other glamours do you have?” I demanded. “What else can you do?”
“Well, let’s see… you already know about the shadows and visions. And as you saw when you attempted to skewer me with your dinner knife, I can move objects with my mind. That’s about it… other than a few other minor ones that wouldn’t concern you.”
