I’m not allowing this.
“Fury,” I growled.
“Vexxion,” she shot right back.
Damn she was beautiful when she stormed, and I didn’t only mean on the surface. She was gloriously exquisite even within this fae court where each person was more stunning than the next. Her true beauty rested within, and it shone in her eyes. Her heart was pure, brimming with everything that made her special, everything I should push aside.
Yet I couldn’t.
It would break me to release her.
27
TEMPEST
There were too many limits on my power. I’d discovered if I thought about what I wanted and sent that out in a spell, it rarely worked, much to my endless frustration. When I mastered whatever it was that was growing inside me, would that mean I was finally “prepared” to kill the king?
Turning back to face Vexxion, I lifted myself off the floor again, a handy trick I’d just discovered. What else could I do that I’d yet to explore? There wasn’t enough time in the day to look into this.
I held his face again. This wretchedly gorgeous fae man tended to hold things back, but his eyes and that twitch of his jawline gave him away. I didn’t have much else to work with.
I gathered power from my well and sent it to him, and damn it was such a turn-on to do something like this for him. Not necessarily arousing, but stimulating in a way nothing elsecould ever be. This man needed me if only for this, and that thrilled through me. It was pure bliss to do something for him, and I’d savor it if only for this moment.
“Enough,” he growled, shutting me off.
“I can give you more.”
“You will not.”
With a sigh, I lowered myself to the ground.I don’t feel depleted at all.
You’re not supposed to.
Yet you still are.I could feel it.
He took a lot tonight. How’s Reyla?
Fine. She was sleepy so I left her in her room. The king went to bed. We were still bound to the chairs! He would’ve left us there all night, then dined on us for breakfast. I figured out how to make the vines retreat.
I’m not surprised.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work with my collar.
You need to leave that in place—for now,he said.
We’d see about that.This has to stop. We need to either get Reyla and Brodine out of the castle or find a way to hide them. I can’t imagine what the king’s doing to him. I haven’t been able to get near him to find out. He’s so lost.My voice croaked. I’m worried about Bro. Everyone, actually.The weight of trying to help every single trapped soul inside the castle dragged across my soul.
I haven’t been able to get close to Brodine either,he said, strain still coming through in his voice. He hadn’t taken enough of my power. I wanted to give him more.I plan to, though. Soon.
If someone comes here while you’re traveling, will you know?
Yes. I’ll travel back and groan at the appropriate moments.
I don’t like leaving your body here. Can I cast a spell to protect you?
From everyone but Ivenrail?he said.Yes.
Teach me.
