Nyte’s skin tingled. That tingling rapidly became a thrum that permeated him. It felt as though his entire being was desperately seeking her out, as though all the shadowy magic that comprised him needed to be with hernow.
Despite his unease and inner turmoil, he was sorely tempted to climb onto Ember’s bed, wedge himself between her thighs, and slide back into her delicious heat. While their bodies were intertwined, he didn’t have to think, didn’t have to worry, didn’t have to do anything but feel pleasure beyond his wildest imaginings.
For all his years, for all the knowledge and language he’d absorbed, he had no words to adequately describe what he and Ember had shared.
That only made all of this more alarming.
Whatever else this was, it was a weakness. And he’d vowed never to be left so vulnerable again.
Magic rippled through the air behind Nyte in a familiar signature.
Instinctively, he wove a blanket of shadow, willing it into shape from the ether and draping it over Ember’s slumbering form, covering her nakedness from her upper chest down.
She stirred only to turn her head slightly with a gentle sigh.
“So thoughtful of you,” Starling said from over Nyte’s shoulder.
He grunted. There’d been only one thought behind the gesture.
None may gaze upon my Ember’s form but me.
Hells, he wanted to possess her, body and soul. Wanted her to be his in every way. But he feared that this little witch had already claimed possession of him.
Nyte forced his cocks to dissipate, unable but to mourn the loss of the essence that had clung to them.
Starling landed upon his shoulder, and her soft glow fell upon Ember to make that tousled silver hair shimmer. The sprite bounced in place. “Ooo! She looks like a woman who has been quite thoroughly satisfied.”
Clenching his jaw, Nyte turned and stalked away from the bed, taking Starling with him. Voice low, he said, “That is no concern of yours.”
Giggling, Starling plopped into a sitting position, swinging her legs to kick him with her tiny heels in a quick rhythm. “What of you, Nyte? Have you been thoroughly satisfied as well?”
No. Never. I need more of her, more, more, more!
“Do I sound satisfied?” he grated as he glided down the stairs.
“Yousound grumpy, just as ever. But you rarely sound how you feel. Did you not enjoy your witchling?”
Enjoy? I was utterly shattered.
“Whatever you hope will happen here, sprite, it shall not. There is nothing between myself and the witch.” An ache tore through his chest, nearly making him flinch; the sensation was fire and ice all at once, burning and freezing. “And it shall remain so until your accursed spell has run its course.”
Starling darted off his shoulder and hovered before him, both sets of arms folded across her chest. Her three eyes narrowed in a glare. “You will not convince yourself with such words.”
He halted, eyebrows angling down toward his nose. “I’m not trying to convince myself, Starling.”
She impatiently waved a hand.
Nyte balled his fists at his sides. Tumultuous emotions roiled inside him, more volatile than a collapsing star. Energy blazed through him, but it left him feeling unsteady and off rather than invigorated.
His throat was tight when he finally spoke. “I’ll not risk suffering that again.”
Frowning, the sprite lowered her arms and tilted her head. “So you will just hide instead? Blessed with eternity and determined to waste it away?”
Nyte closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He couldn’t ignore the traces of Ember’s scent perfuming the air, however much easier it would’ve made his life at that moment. “I’ve no wish to fight.”
“Yet it seems you must. With yourself.”
He shook his head. “Again you?—”
