He didn’t want her to go. He wanted to fix the mess his father had created. He wanted to take her to his other favorite shops within the city to see her smile and experience joy. A spark had formed in her eyes then, and he wanted to see it every chance he could.
He planted his lips on hers. Stars danced behind his eyelids at the soft touch of her kiss. He pulled her deeper, dragging her along the counter until her body was flush with his. He grasped her waist and pressed her against his hard length, letting her know how much he wanted her to stay.
He forced himself not to rush but to explore every beautiful aspect of her, because she deserved to be caressed with a gentle hand, to be shown mercy.
His tongue brushed across her lips, and hers met his in their exploration. His hand slipped through her curls, pulling her hair from its pins and removing her mask. Her nails dug into his back. A shiver rippled down his spine.Gods, she was beautiful, and he wanted more. He shouldn’t have wanted to pull her closer. He should’ve given her time, but he couldn’t stop himself.
“But…” she panted, “what about…your father?”
He gripped her waist, his teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. “We’ll figure it out,” he groaned. He knew it was more complex than that, but he couldn’t find it in him to care in the moment, with Amaris wrapped around him.
His lip tingled, going numb as he drew back from their kiss. A kiss that tasted so right but was completely wrong. He took a step back, staring at her flushed cheeks before leaning back in and sniffing her breath. “Amaris, what did you drink?”
“A little wine.” She grinned, pulling her hand to her lips. “I promise I only had one. Not even a sip of kusu.” She flashed him a cheesy grin as she leaned in to kiss him again.
He gripped her shoulders. “I need you to think. What did you drink? Did you take something from someone?”
Her brows knit together. She relinquished the hold her legs had around him.No, he didn’t want her to let go. He didn’t want it to stop, but the sensation spreading across his lips had his heart stalling.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, leaning forward. She lost her balance, falling into his chest.
He pulled her face into his hands, dragging the back of it along her cheeks. “You’re burning up. Are you sure you only had one?”
“Positive,” she whispered, her hands bracing against his chest as her voice became airy.
“We’re going to the tower,” he said earnestly, attempting to pull her to his chest.
“No,” she yelled, pushing off him and jumping from the counter. She teetered, but his hand around her waist caught her. “We’re not ruining this moment. I’m fine.” She strained against his grip, but he held her tight.
“You aren’t fine.”
She buried her face in her hands. “Why are you doing this?” she cried. “I…thought you…” Her chin quivered. “What am I doing?”
“I don’t understand,” he began. “But—”
“I know. How could you possibly even begin to understand? Because I sure as hell don’t.”
Her fight to keep from crying turned to a small chuckle. It grew and she began hysterically laughing and wheezing as she slipped from his arms and sank to the floor. “Wow, even the sky is more beautiful here,” she said, continuing to laugh.
His heart skipped a beat.Hallucinations.
“Amaris, we’re going, now.” Worried, he kneeled beside her.
“No, I think I’m going to lie here for a minute actually,” she sang, placing her hands behind her head and smiling up at the ceiling.
“Amaris, we need to find Pricilla.”
“What for?” she scoffed. “I’m perfectly content here.”
He didn’t care if she was upset with him later. They were leaving now. They didn’t have time. He dragged her to her feet, restraining her arms as she fought his hold.
“Shit!” she yelled, her face turning an ashen gray.
She turned her head and threw up. His heart held a moment of relief that maybe she’d thrown it up. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked down to see the contents of her stomach all over her dress. Theo hefted her into his arms, her head bobbing against his chest.
“How do you feel about me?” she asked, her fingers playing with a frayed spot in his waistcoat.
He hesitated in his steps toward the library.How do I feel about her?Weeks ago, he’d been ready to incriminate her as a murderer or let her slip down those death traps for stairs leading from the tower, but now he didn’t know. He didn’t want her to leave, and he’d wanted to kiss her.Gods, I still do.
