The sound of laughter drifts in from outside, causing an ache in my chest. I’m an outsider in a world I once loved—a world that filled a hole in me. But that life is gone now, and I’m not the person I was then. I’ve changed, grown, and found something worth fighting for.
I hit the call button.
“Hey, stranger,”Leigh’s sultry voice breathes into the receiver, prompting my smile.
“Hey,” I respond as I unlace my boots.
“You sound tired.”
My boots thud on the worn wooden floor as I kick them off. “It’s been a long ass day,” I admit with a ragged exhale.
The patter of rain against the windowpane intensifies, accompanied by the mournful howling of the wind. I picture the others scurrying indoors to continue their revelry but I’m relieved to be alone.
“Want to talk about it?” Leigh asks.
I hesitate. Aurora is a disaster, from the chaos at the power station to the brutal attack in the street. But telling Leigh feels like an unbearable burden. She might spiral, convinced that Stellan sent those thugs after Gianna to hurt her. I’m still far from understanding Stellan’s motives, let alone confirming his involvement in the attack. No, I decide I can’t risk it right now.
I told Leigh I was here to turn on the power and convince Stellan to stop sowing division. He hasn’t posted a new article in days, which works in my favor, but I’m afraid of what he might say at the rally and who he will anger next.
“I’d rather talk about your day.” I roll onto my side. The prolonged silence that follows sets my nerves on edge. I almosthear Leigh biting her lip. “Is everything okay? If something happened, you could tell me.” The hypocrisy tastes acidic on my tongue.
Another pause, and then Leigh laughs, but it rings hollow and strained, like in the days before she came out as a Lunar Witch. “I’m just missing you.”
I don’t believe her.Something’s troubling her, and her not wanting to tell me has me thinking the worst. But pressing her further might only push her away.
“I miss you, too,” I confess, my voice strained. “Like so fucking much.”
“Oh, yeah?” Leigh teases. Fabric rustles on the other end of the line.
Is she in her room? I picture her lying on her bed, dressed in silky pajamas, twirling a strand of her long hair around her delicate finger. Suddenly, the distance between us grows into a physical ache. If only I could reach through the phone and pull her onto the bed with me.
“Yeah.” My voice lacks the enthusiasm her teasing deserves.
I truly miss her.
“Make anyone cry today?” I joke.
Leigh sighs. “Not yet, but there’s still time.” I smile as she adds, “Alden is as tiresome as ever. He went to breakfast alone with Janus. Can you believe that?”
“Why? Did you two have plans?” I ask, trying to keep the jealousy from seeping into my tone, but it’s a struggle.
“Queens marry princes,”I recall Brigid saying. Alden is a prince.
“No, but we haven’t had a chance to agree on anything, nor have we discussed peace terms,” Leigh says. “I’ve tried to, several times. It’s like he is purposely stalling. All he does is flirt with me. Not to mention, he almost got me in trouble with the vampires. And then he tries to pass Ravi off to me like some sortof gift, which I mean, I am grateful for the help with my magic, but every time I turn around, I fear he’ll stab me in the back. And now Alden is going out with Janus without me. I mean, what the hell is that all about?”
I’m gripping my phone so tightly that I’m surprised it doesn’t break. The image of Alden licking Leigh flashes before my eyes. The urge to tell her to send him home is overwhelming, but I know an alliance after years of animosity between our countries would be a monumental achievement for her. Besides, I have no room to talk, not with Brigid batting her eyes at me at every opportunity.
“It sounds like you have your hands full,” I say.
“Yeah, but you know the worst part?” Leigh says. “I’d rather my hands were busy doing something else.”
I’m adjusting my arm behind my head to get more comfortable when I groan at her suggestive tone. Though it comes out sounding more like a growl. “I wish I were with you.”
“I wish I were naked with you, too, baby.” Her voice, a mere whisper, sends a jolt straight to my groin, every inch of me responding to her invitation. The image floods my mind: her lying beside me, her lips on mine, the heat of her body pressed against me as I grip her ass, breathless, seeking that intense friction between her thighs. I bite my lip, trying to regain composure.
Fuck. I want her.
“What are you wearing?” I ask, but then she laughs, breaking the spell. “What?”
