Yesterday, the wounds had appeared as if they would take weeks—months to mend, and now they were almost healed. How was that possible?
“Reyn, wait.” Aerén pushed off his chair and went after him, his boots thudding on the granite floor.
Lucan gave her a long, considering look as if he couldn’t believe she was…what? Too lacking? Too simple? Before he too followed the others.
Why couldn’t they just ask their darn questions, instead of leaving her to stew in curiosity? For all she knew, Lucan wanted her gone. And Reynner would probably be all too happy to concur.
***
Reynner paced along the balcony. The heavy winds snapped at his unbound hair. He stopped at the ledge and stared at the craggy rock face of the mountains. More than anything, he wanted to fly, to feel the winds gliding over his skin while he cut through the heavy drafts and away from what was to come.
Anger, laden with guilt, twisted his gut. Anger that Eve had seen the very things he despised about himself—his helplessness in the hands of that demoness, his humiliation. And guilt that Eve’s scent had him losing control.
Dammit, she shouldn’t have been able to see his thoughts. How the hell was that possible? Why had she touched him?
You were thrashing around like an insane bat, dumbass. She was trying to comfort you.
Reynner tried to work through it logically. She’d touched him and saw his nightmares…
If Eve had magic in her blood, then she would have some kind of psychic ability.Oh, shit!Self-recrimination tore through him as understanding sparked. What the hell had he done?
Breathing hard through his nose, he scrubbed his face. Aerén was right, he was a bastard, and he couldn’t sink any lower than he did right then. And he’d accused her of deliberately invading his mind.
Lucan came to stand beside him, flanked by Aerén on his other side.
“She’s so frail,” Lucan said. “I cannot believe our future lies in her hands.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tell her, Reyn. If you don’t, then I will. We’re talking about saving a realm, and you want to wait—for what?”
Reynner’s gut churned at the reality. If—no,whenEve agreed, he’d take her down a path from which there was no return. He’d bring her into his world, his life, and all the dangers and usual damn shit that went with it.
Demoniis. A goddess determined to get her claws in him. And Darkreans, who’d be only too happy to capture Eve for the chance to awaken the scroll sotheycould locate the missing Stonefor whatever the hell they planned.
And the latter could not happen. Ever.
Inhaling the crisp air, he concentrated on the task ahead. He’d ask Eve for her help, if she didn’t decide to use his dagger on him. No,firsthe had to apologize for scaring the crap out of her with what he’d done. He knew all too well how to awaken arousal in someone who didn’t want it. A pit opened in his belly, but he refused to consider why he felt that way at the thought that she didn’t want him.
He had forced her—he’d fucking forced her. He was no better than the demon bitch, who had done the same to him.
“Eve is mortal. She doesn’t even know our kind exists. Her life,” he gritted out, “consists of hanging with her friends and visiting art galleries. So unless you want to send her screaming back to her world and lessen our chances of getting her help, you’ll have to let me handle this my way.”
Lucan glared at him. “No. Now.”
Reynner thrust his fists into his pants pockets so he wouldn’t cork Lucan in the face. The gusty winds carried the cool sprays from the waterfall and drenched his heated skin but did little to ease his temper.
Then the truth hit him, his blood blazed. “You always knew I’d find her, didn’t you?”
That was why Lucan had demanded he go to New York two months ago. So he’d be at the right place, at the right time, and in the right fucking century.
“Did you know?” Aerén asked, coming round to the mage’s side. “Why did you not say anything?”
Lucan shrugged. “Nothing about the future is certain. The Stone has been missing for centuries. An intimation of success means nothing if it’s not achieved.” He cut Reynner a calm stare. “I had to make sure you didn’t mess this up. We’ve waited eons. Sleep with her if you have to, but get her agreement.”
Sleep with her? Lucan’s words hit too close to the truth of what had nearly happened, even if it was for a different reason.
“You’re still the talk of Empyrea. No one can touch your repute when it comes to the females.”
Why the fuck was that all anyone remembered about him?
“Shut the hell up, Luc,” Reynner snapped. Like he needed a reminder of his other life. “You have no fucking clue what you're talking about. You live in your damn tower like a closeted virgin, communicating to who the fuck knows for what.”
