“Absolutely.” Eve smiled at her friend’s loyalty as she ran her fingers over the sculpture. The hum of the metal made up for her lack of human contact, almost like it sang to her. She’d never explained this phenomenon to anyone. They would think her nuts. But it helped her put the parts together. Almost like a musical opus as they formed the fluid shapes she wanted.
The intertwining of copper sheets and wire worked well with this piece. Backing up, Eve studied the fusion of metal that made up the reclining life-size sculpture.
“Being a nude, it looks female—for which I'm grateful—but I don’t see the resemblance,” Brenna said, coming to stand beside her.
“It’s an allusion, not meant to be realistic.”
Her friend knew as little about art as Eve knew about...sex. She rolled her eyes at the thought. Then blew out an anxious breath. “This has to work, or else I'll be living on the street come month end.”
Brenna slipped her arm around Eve's waist and hugged her, careful not to touch her hands. “The sculpture’s beautiful, hun. And you can come live with me anytime. Maybe I get to see you a little more then. You work far too much, you know.”
“Soon, Bren, after the show, we can all get together. Since I have another home to go to, you're released from captivity,” Eve teased, returning Brenna’s brief embrace. “I’ll see you at the gallery.”
A rustle of feathers and cooing sounds came from her worktable, alerting them that they weren’t alone. Brenna pulled on her clothes then made a detour to the dove Eve had rescued outside her apartment several days ago. “Hey there, little guy. You ready to leave the roost, or do you like your new home too much?”
“Like he understands you.” Eve snorted. She reached out and stroked the bird’s gray, pearlescent feathers. A light, almost incandescent joy seeped into her. Animals were far safer to touch, no painful emotions at all. “I tried to get him to fly. He does everything but that. I’m hoping for a miracle. I don’t mind, though, I like his company.”
“You’re in good hands, then,” Brenna told the dove and picked up her bag from the table. “See you later, Evie.” She wiggled her fingers in goodbye and left the studio.
Eve went back to her sculpture, and when she thought of what was at stake, she pressed her hand to her knotting stomach.
Several months ago, she had quit her dead-end job, used up her small savings, and put everything she had into this. She’d been both terrified and exhilarated about taking charge of her life, leaving behind her safe job as a mural artist. But her show was fast approaching.
Unable to concentrate, she rubbed her hand down her sweats, her troubled mind drifting tohimonce again.
Last night hadn’t been a good one. The most erotic dream had drawn her into a place where she’d been manacled to a wall whilehe, just in his leathers, taunted her with a dagger. Helpless and under his absolute control, it hadn’t been fear coursing through her but unbearable desire. Her limbs had turned to molasses when his tongue followed the trail he made with the blade down her stomach… leaving her hot and needy.
Christ!She had to stop this. Submission and domination games weren’t her thing. Jesus, she was still a virgin for crying out aloud. Eve rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands as if she could erase the images.
Last night, she’d totally lost her common sense. The man, it seemed, was a hazard not only to her life but also to all things that made her a woman.
Thank God she’d never have to see him again.
Chapter 3
Reynner took form on the terrace of his home, built on a high ledge carved deep into the rock face of the Exilum mountains. It was a place beyond the veils of the human realm, accessible only through a portal, and a sanctuary for exiled immortals.
Railless balconies ran around the perimeter of all three levels. Reynner could see for miles on end. Not another soul in sight—just him, the cliffs, and the gigantic waterfalls. He liked it this way, preferred the isolation. Unfortunately, solitude was not an option with a moody prince in residence.
Sliding the doors open with his mind, he walked into the sparsely equipped gym with its smooth granite floors, rough walls, and recessed orbs in the ceiling. He inhaled deeply, trying to ease the unexplained restlessness prowling through him since he’d left New York.
It had nothing to do withher, he told himself, but with Aerén taking off.
Usually, he didn’t care where Aerén disappeared to, so long as he wasn't trawling clubs on the human realm. But, dammit, he should have left a bloody note!
At the thought, Reynner’s mouth tightened. He’d wasted the night in the city, then an entire morning here searching for the prince, only to find Aerén on the mountaintop, near the waterfalls. Brooding.
He really wasn’t cut out for this babysitting chore, but he did it because of a friendship long lost. Besides, one didn't say no to the high ruler of Empyrea.
A figure materialized on the balcony moments later. Aerén walked inside, having followed him. He stopped near the doorway, his features drawn tight. His damp trews and tunic clung to his body, and his pale blue hair hung limply around his shoulders.
Two millennia had passed since Reynner had left Empyrea. The young, playful boy Aerén had once been had disappeared. In his place, a tall, muscular man stood, his lean face and tormented eyes bearing the tragedy that had ravaged his family.
Aerén’s oldest brother had been banished for the tragic death of their little sister, and with the recent disappearance of his parents…yeah, Aerén didn't have much to smile about. His only kin left was Daén, the middle-born son and now ruler of Empyrea.
“Are you training?” Reynner asked him.
“For Urias’ sake, Reyn!” Aerén glared at him, his silver eyes burning with unleashed emotions. “Strife plagues our dominions, our magic grows weaker, and life declines. I can’t be left here doing nothing!”
