“Speak for yourself,”Star huffed.“It sounds like this is going to be bad.”
“But Star is, a little,” I added. “You can hold her hand if you want.”
A crooked grin tilted his lips, but it disappeared before it could fully swoon me. Taking my hand once more, André interlaced our fingers, causing warmth to spread through my being.
Someone took my other hand, and I turned to find the Beast had returned. His massive hand curved around my small one, the soft white fur caressing my wrist as he interlaced our fingers too.
Mesmerized by his majestic, mystical shift, I glanced up at his broad chest and corded neck until our gazes met. Hannes might have looked like a werewolf right then, but those brooding, ocean-blue eyes were all sexy ass man.
Slowly leaning into me, so he wouldn’t scare me, Hannes brought his imposing presence, exuding a mix of fresh-cut cedar, cinnamon, and mint scent. It filtered through my nostrils in the most captivating way, making it hard to concentrate.
Was that Star’s reaction to the Beast, or mine?
Placing his muzzle next to my ear, he scented me, and his hot breath fanned the curve of my neck as his nose neared it. His gesture sent a wild shudder to rock my body. “Starlight, I’m here for you too.”
Oh, shit.
If merely feeling his breath on my skin had shuddered my entire body, his sultry half-man, half-beast whisper had surely destroyed me.
“Okay, I see the appeal of the Beast now,”I confessed.
“Mother, may I…”Star added.“Please, bend over…”
“Maybe another time.”
“Ahem.”
My head snapped to Countess Dariah, who seemed amused by the spectacle.
“We are ready now. Yah?”
I swallowed, trying to recover. “Yes, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Her accusatory gaze went to Hannes’s beast.
The asshole smiled from ear to ear.
“We proceed,” she announced, making everyone instantly tense and gather closer around us. “Take this end,” she instructed, handing me the golden end. “The Pyrite crystal goes on your temple; the Sodalite goes on mine.”
Following her instructions, I let go of André’s hand and lifted the humming stone to my head, immediately feeling how cool yet heavy it was to the touch. A current of energy coursed through its point as soon as it pressed against my temple, but it wasn’t overwhelming or hurtful. It felt gentle and steady, like a conduit.
“You can let it go now; it has connected to your mind.” When she released hers, it hovered against her temple. The tip was still pressed to her skin.
Surprised, I let go too. Sure enough, the crystal remained there, as if a powerful force kept it connected to my mind.
André smiled when my hand returned to his.
“I will access my memories now, and the magic in the crystals will transfer them to your mind, where they will play for you like a movie. Are you sure you are ready?”
The question held a heaviness it hadn’t before. Like what I was about to see was more than I might be able to handle.
Taking a deep breath, I hardened myself to whatever I was about to witness and nodded.
Music and laughter suddenly overwhelmed my senses, my surroundings transforming from the room we sat in, to a grand ballroom filled with elegantly dressed people dancing and celebrating.
Only, it was not like a movie. I was there, in the memory. I was part of it.
The shock of the unexpected experience made me rear back on the chair, my hands clenching within the guys’ grasp.
