The pink imprint of her hand marked his cheek and her own stung as if she’d struck herself. It lasted for a fleeting moment before fading with the mark. Gods, she hadn’t meant to hit him. It was an instinctual reaction. She had imagined kissing him before, desired for it, but not like this. She didn’t want a kiss tainted by the taste of fairy wine and anger.
“Good,” Cassiel said, the one word sounding coarse and thick. All heat left his expression as it fell to resignation. “Hate me.”
His answer was a surrender, the indifference in his tone the end of the war. Yet why did she feel like the one who lost? Tears burning in her eyes, She couldn’t do anything but stand there, too jumbled to form a reply. Something was cracking inside of her. Dyna wrapped her arms around herself, afraid she would shatter.
Rawn approached warily as his gaze flickering between the two of them. “Is everything all right, my lady?”
Cassiel moved back, taking his warmth with him. “I leave her in your care, Lord Norrlen.”
He walked away and leaped into the sky, his wings carrying him toward the glimmering stars. Dyna watched him go, her heart racing and face burning.
Stupid Celestial.
The thousands of things she should have said only occurred to her when he was already gone. There was nothing else to do but bottle each one and lock them away in her heart.
Chapter 27
Zev
The music filled Zev’s head, and the drums beat in his ears. Voices all around swarmed together in a meaningless hum. There were too many sounds. Too many smells. The earthy scent of the forest mixed with the aroma of roasted meat, wine, and something heady filtrating through the court. It made his head spin and churned his stomach. But he couldn’t get the sad look on Dyna’s face out of his mind.
She knows of your cowardice,the Madness taunted, cackling in delight.Of your weakness and plight.
He growled.
Sad, sad, beastie. Not even death can you accomplish. Are you not tired? Rest.
He would rest when he was beneath the ground.
Something prickled against his senses, and Zev met the gaze of a dainty fae female. Long black hair decorated with beads and silver strands streamed around her pale face, her irises so red they looked like pools of blood beneath the faerie lights. Her full ruby red lips curved in a slow smile. He stiffened when her bare feet crossed the mossy carpet for him in a slow, sensual gait. Her dress was a sheer green thing with a long, thin train falling in the front and back, leaving every curve and swell exposed.
Zev swallowed. Hard. All mad thoughts fell silent. His veins rushed with a flash of heat, and every muscle in his body tightened as he forced himself to look away from her body and focus on her face. It was then that he finally noticed the carnal haze that permeated the air. The revel had turned a new tide. He thought of leaving to find the others, but the fae’s scarlet gaze held him captivated. Her seductive smile grew wider when she came to a stop in front of him, revealing a tiny pair of fangs.
He cleared his throat. “Ah, good … evening?”
She giggled, and the sound was the trilling of a creek. Her hand trailed along his arm, the fingers ending in sharp black nails. He followed their journey as she traced the groove of every muscle, the scrape of her nail leaving gooseflesh in its wake. She stepped closer and tilted her head that could only be an invitation. He inhaled a breath, and more heat dipped to his center. She smelled like a flowering meadow and sweet arousal. But beneath it lurked the scent of something else he had been searching for.
She grabbed a goblet off the table at his back and brought it to his lips. She looked at him from beyond the rim with a smile that was a honeyed promise. Firelight gleamed on her soft cheeks, flushed with warmth, haloing around her head. A sudden urge to touch her burned through him, but he didn’t dare. The females of Lykos Peak never approached him. He was accustomed to disgust, not desire.
The faerie was beautiful. Deadly. He had the sense she was flame incarnate, but he didn’t mind getting a little burned. His wolf bristled with wariness, but also with curiosity. He was a full-grown unmated male, and at the moment, she was exuding great interest. Zev’s wolf released a low rumbling growl in agreement as he stared into her ruby eyes and lifted the goblet.
The gold liquid inside sparkled, alluring him with a fruity fragrance.
Don’t drink, the Madness hissed.
Zev smiled. He tipped back his head and drank the wine in one swallow. The warm liquid slid down his throat and pooled in his stomach, sending a hazy fog through his head. Magic floated through his veins with ecstasy, and the world swayed in soft waves. There was only one wish on his mind, and the one to provide it stood in front of him.
The faerie laid a delicate hand on his arm and drew him into a dance. Her soft form rocked to the hypnotic music, pressing into him in sinful ways he would never protest. He held her to him, leaving his hands to trail to the curve of her small waist. She smiled encouragingly and stood on her toes to wrap her arms around his shoulders. Her lips brushed over his collarbone, pressing her breast against his chest. A rumble of content vibrated in his throat, and he almost shredded her flimsy dress with his claws.
It startled him at first, at the animalistic need to take her then and there. He shook his head to clear it. The wine was making him devious. As if she sensed it, her mouth curved in a wicked smile. They danced and danced until his legs were limp and they glistened with sweat. Her small hand slid in his and she led him into the shadowy trees, away from the music and lights. He stumbled after her into a clearing of flowers and moss glittering in the moonlight.
His wolf snarled at him to turn back, but Zev shut him out. He grabbed the faerie by the waist and flipped her around. She giggled as he brought her to the moss bedding below. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his. Her sharp nails raked across his back slowly, sending a pleasing punishment to his skin. He wanted to bask in the feel of her and what she did to his body. He needed it after feeling nothing but agony and rage for years.
Her neck arched back as he kissed the swell of her throat. He latched onto her beating pulse, tasting her soft skin. She grasped his shirt and pulled it off over his head. Her red eyes widened as they took in the ugly scars marring his body. A flash of pity crossed her face, but she captured his lips in a deep kiss that took all his focus. He held still, letting her guide him in a new dance of their mouths.
Could the faerie girl speak, or had she chosen not to? Did she know exactly what he had needed all along?
“I feel I should—” he said between their urgent kisses. “—ask for your name.”
