She stifled a massive sigh. No matter how mad she was with Reynner, she would get them what they needed… Yeah, break into a museum.
Ugh, she pushed that stomach-turning thought aside.
“Come, Eve, I’ll see you to the front,” Aerén said.
Rubbing a weary palm over her face, she followed him.
***
Reynner stopped at the edge of the balcony and scowled at the forest below him. Eve had to be the most argumentative female he’d ever met. Instead of yelling accusations at him and questioning everything he said, all she had to do was trust him to get her into the museum to take the scroll.
And just how long did it take for her to say goodbye to Aerén?
It sure as hell couldn’t be Lucan who held her attention. His lips thinned at the thought of her being in his prince’s too eager arms. About to go haul her, the sounds of footsteps reached his ears.
“Reynner?”
His gut tightened at the sound of her voice. He turned to find Aerén walking away, and Eve hesitating near the door. He motioned for her to join him with a nod. “Come.”
She bit her lip, her gaze dipping to the ledge.
It hit him then. She was afraid. What the hell was he thinking? She’d fallen off this damn balcony. If he hadn’t been here...Shit. Good thing she wouldn’t have to come back here again. Having wings, he needed the balcony railless to take flight and make landing easier.
He crossed to her. “I won’t let you fall, I promise. Take my hand.”
Her chest rose as she inhaled, then barefoot, she stepped out. Ignoring his hand, she clenched the fabric of her dress, instead. “I'm fine.”
Despite her usual “I'm fine” answer, he saw the edges of fear in her deep green eyes. The fact she could walk onto the balcony again after this morning awed him.
Well, he wasn’t letting her do this alone.
Reynner untangled her fingers from her dress, grasped her hand, and pulled her close. The bumpy skin from her childhood injuries slid roughly against his palm… Darker memories of manacles restraining him took over—pain slicing through his wrists. The muscles in his shoulders tensed, he forced himself to focus and not push her away. He breathed in her scent, and a calm descended. With his mind, he gathered the light energies of the realm around him. The air shimmered, parted, and the portal opened.
He glanced at her. “Ready?”
Despite her uneasy expression, she nodded, her gaze fastened on the wavering gateway. “Where will this take us?”
“Central Park. From there, I’ll dematerialize us straight to your apartment.” At her strangled breath, he said, “Or I can send you to sleep and do this.”
“No.” Her fingers tightened on his. “Let’s get it over with.”
***
As twilight stole into the city, Reynner followed Eve into her fourth-floor apartment. And felt like he’d stepped into an orchard.
A hint of her peach scent drifted through the place and stroked his senses. His body wired hard since last night, he’d found it difficult to clamp down on needs that refused to settle, and now, alone in her home, it was damn near impossible.
She’s here for one purpose only—to help our realm.Aerén’s words chimed like an unwanted omen in his head. With centuries of practice locking down his emotions, he managed to get his mind back on track.
Eve disappeared into her room.
Reynner turned and took in the open space. Brightly painted sketches, mounted in black, lined one wall. Colorful Navajo throws in shades of blue, orange, and gray cheered up the ancient brown couch and armchairs. A circular glass-top dining table situated opposite the counter separated the galley kitchen from the rest of the place.
Supernatural beings couldn’t come into a human home uninvited, but still. He went back to the front door, and with an intricate movement of his hands, he weaved the wards, whispering the enchanted words as he put up a protection shield. Invisible to the human eye, he could feel its magic flow over the apartment.
Eve would be safe as long as she didn't invite the fuckers inside.
Satisfied, he made his way across the room to the few pieces of metal sculpture Eve had displayed on a small bookcase crammed with paperback novels. But a photo in a copper frame caught his attention. Picking it up, he studied the couple posing in front of the souks of…Morocco. He’d been there and knew the place well.
