The Blade of Alessa.I’d read about the lost blade . . . somewhere. Maybe Vexxion had mentioned it.
I was snagged byNullen Redemption, and flipped to the page, gaping at the introduction that discussed how Nullens had once provided balance—though this section didn’t discuss how—and how, when they fled faerie, that balance was lost.
A quick scan ofThe Power of Nullensreiterated the rules. Only collared Nullens would be allowed beyond the veil into faerie. Those who were not collared at the Claiming would remain within their own boundaries. Any Nullen collared and claimed would have their dormant power awakened and must allow whoever claimed them—or one of their blood—to take this power as needed through Access. After that, they wouldwork as servants even if they couldn’t generate more power to drain.
And the last detail in this chapter: the fae were only allowed to collar one Nullen at a time but could claim another if the Nullen suffered an unfortunate demise. What a delightful way of phrasing that, as if the Nullen would die of old age rather than a quick slash across the throat with a knife.
One detail, though it was vaguely worded, mentioned the spell that would be triggered if any fae disobeyed the rules set forth in the treaty. Why hadn’t Ivenrail triggered the spell when he started taking power from whoever he pleased?
Another tidbitNullen Redemptionshared was that the balance needed to be maintained or the fae realm would be lost. That even those Nullens with no power at all were needed to center that balance, whatever “center” meant. I’d grown up being told Nullens had no power at all, but since meeting Vexxion and coming here, I’d learned wedidhave power. Yet this book suggested there were completely powerless Nullens as well. How could anyone tell the difference?
Vexxion said that the fae used a spell to suppress us, but the spell must only be needed for those of us who had power.
Nullens with power. I was missing something, though I couldn’t figure out what.
“Hmm.” I stared toward the empty fireplace. “I wonder what sort of balance my people provided and how it can be maintained.”
Shaking my head, I returned to the book, skimming the chapter again but not finding any more clues. I flipped forward to the section about the Blade of Alessa. The chapter discussedhow some believed the blade had been forged by trolls ages ago while others thought the blade came into existence all on its own. Magic? The chapter didn’t speculate further about how the sword was created. It indicated the sword was lost but if found, it could fulfill the will of the cursed heart—whatever that meant.
A weapon isn’t always the right choice in a time of great need,the last part of the chapter said.All it takes is the will of a true hero.
The information was so vague, the chapter could’ve been written by Vexxion.
I flipped toBonding with Dragonsand started to read. Most of the chapter discussed the history of dragons I already knew from my lessons at the fortress. Long ago, someone came across an egg and rather than destroy it—dragons were feared back then—the person cared for it until it hatched. They raised the dragon, and the first rider was born. Others, envious of the first rider’s skill with beasts, did the same. Eventually, training dragons became a part of the everyday culture for both Nullens and the fae.
“Where’s the bonding part?” I asked, greatly intrigued. I continued reading. And read some more, only getting up to stretch before sinking back onto the sofa.
Drask got bored and left, soaring out through the open window to go hunting. With luck, he wouldn’t bring back another ghastly trinket.
I was still reading an hour later when Vexxion entered the suite and came over to stand behind me. Bending close, he slid my hair to the side and kissed across my nape.
My bones melted, and it was all I could do to focus on the page I was reading.
“You’re an incredible distraction,” I said.
“A welcome one?” he rasped.
“Always.” I closed the book and dropped it onto the cushions.
ThenIflitted us to the bed.
20
VEXXION
My fury flitted, placing me below her on the flooferdar blankets. I, naturally, removed our clothing with a flick of my finger.
The blankets were soft. I could see why she adored them, though things like that weren’t necessary for a male like me. The fact that she loved them was all that mattered.
Bracing herself above me, she grinned. When she started stroking my chest, my smile joined with hers. I was tempted to flip her onto her back, to take charge like I do so often, because she adored it. But this was my Tempest, my fury, and I was eager to let her storm over me today.
“You need to tell me what feels good,” she purred in my ear as she continued to stroke along my sides, her palms moving up to my chest and her fingertips teasing my nipples. They puckered like hers did from my touch, and knowing that she wasdoing this to give me pleasure was all it took to make heat sear through my veins, centering in my cock. Lit, it surged upward, as eager as me.
“Everything, Fury. Everything you do feels good.”
“Then let me play.”
“Always.”
