“That’s totally why you voiced wanting to know that.” I attempted to roll my eyes, but I ended up blinking weirdly. “You…my dear Dex, are a fucking sociopath.”
Fates, I was so high.
At least my magic wasn’t leaking.
He shrugged. “Or a psychopath…orit’s just because my head has been cut off so many times.” A rough chuckle burst from his chest. “Let’s go. I’m not about to get my ass chewed out by Darkmore again.”
Darkmore had taken a liking to the little soul eater, apparently.
He reached out and snatched my wrist with a tendril, and I stumbled along with him through his shadows until we came out in front of Sunstone Revive.
The sun blazed overhead, castinggolden rays onto the large sunstone that rose from the sands like a platform. It was circular, and a subtle hum emanated from the gemstone. It was the sound of raw power, the vibration of the enchantment to boost the powers it already possessed woven into the stone.
I much preferred this inanimate stone to a healer. It didn’t ask questions, and with Gravesend unconscious, we didn’t need anyone asking questions. All we wanted was to fuck with her a little bit.
Dex strode over and carefully placed Gravesend down on the shimmering sunstone’s surface, and a spectrum of furry oranges and reds rippled from underneath her. His gaze was so fucking soft, softer than anything I’d ever seen in his eyes before.
I inhaled a breath, and a dry, mineral aroma filled my nose. “You sure this is going to work? We don’t even know what’s wrong with her.”
“It’s supposed to heal anything except those dying, and I don’t think she’s dying,so.” Dex shrugged, stepping back off the stone as it hummed with energy. “Yeah, I think it’ll fucking work.”
“Her fear is the most filling I’ve had, and that’s as dangerous as Blezen for me.” I took another hit, letting the magic calm the hunger in my reserves for more. “I’m never in control, butbeing around her makes my fear magic slip more.”
“Interesting.” His gaze glittered with interest as he stared at her prone form on the gemstone with her hair fanned out around her. “I lose control around her, too.”
Her chest rose and fell gently as if she hadn’t just brought out her powers to kill us.
Fear splintered in my chest as I remembered just how fucking close we were to dying, and I clenched my jaw tightly.
Why had she turned on us so fucking violently? It wasn’t like we were there tohurther.
Her fingers twitched first, brushing against the gemstone we’d placed her on.
Then, she inhaled sharply, and her eyes snapped open. Her bright red irises darted to Dex and me as she pushed herself to sit up. Her fear rolled off her, mixed with what looked like…anger?
Dex smirked at her, strolling over and squatting down in front of her. “Please tell me what’s under that wrap, trouble.”
Her breaths came in short, ragged pulls, but she didn’t answer as she stared at him like he was crazy. Which, I guessed, he was.
“No,” she croaked. “What in the Fates happened?”
Dex’s head tilted as he leaned closer, and itreminded me a whole lot of a predator closing in on prey. “You’re like a fucking buffet of negative emotions.” He drew in a deep inhale. “Why does a pretty demon like you have so much pain?”
“Pretty?” She brushed a few stray strands of her dark hair from her face with trembling fingers. “You think I’m pretty?”
Dex tossed his head back with a barking laugh. “Of course I fucking do!” He reached out his hand to her and stood back up. “I think you’restunning.”
Her hand timidly reached out and closed around his. “I…thank you.”
“No thanks needed.” He hauled her to her feet, tugging her off the platform and onto the sand. “I’ll tell you how pretty you are every chance I get. Right, Skel?”
“Skel?” My name tumbled from her lips, and my spine clicked ramrod straight.
It sounded like fucking Heaven from her, and even though I didn’t give her permission to use it, I didn’t want to correct her.
“For a noble, you’re alright,” I settled on saying, smoking my pipe and enjoying the blush blooming on her cheeks. “If you call me Skel, I’m calling you Pandora. Got it, princess?”
“I, um, yes. That’s fine.” Her posture straightened, and her pretty lips twisted into a scowl. “Wait, what were you thinking sneaking upon me like that? Don’t you know cornering a woman in a dark closet isn’t right?”
