“No.” Dom’s response was swift and final, brooking no argument.
Korin lifted her chin, brooking her argument. “No one has my ability. I would be an asset, a secret weapon. You can’t go in there without backup.”
Finn mock pouted. “What about me?”
Korin offered him a brief, conciliatory glance, then turned back to Dom. “Let me come.”
Dom beseeched Xuri for assistance. She lifted her eyebrows, clearly leaning toward giving in to the young land wielder. He shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’ll stay here, Korin. You don’t have enough training. This isn’t the mission to start with, and Nolan has you on his radar.”
She wilted in her seat, clenching her hands into white-knuckled fists. With a huff, she sprang up, exited, and slammed the door behind her. Dom released an exasperated exhale.
He raked his hands through his hair as he and Finn returned to scrutinizing maps and outlining strategies that involved minimal exposure and a quick retreat.
We worked for hours going through all possible scenarios. As the daylight faded, I found I could not stop yawning, my focus waning. Our plan solidified, we agreed to take several hours to rest before heading to Haluma.
My heart raced in anticipation. This time tomorrow, Delah would be freed.
Chapter Forty-One
THE SPY
“Where are you going?” Dom’s low voice pierced my drowsy haze as I headed toward my room in the healing quarter.
Turning, I stumbled, confusion marring my brow. “To my bed. Where are you going?”
Shadows collected around his knuckles. “I had hoped you might stay with me tonight. Just so I know you’re alright.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. A lock of dark hair slipped across his forehead in response to hours of dragging his hands through it, his tell for both exasperation and deep thought.
I extended my hand. “Then take me home.”
He tucked me into his side, my head barely reaching his shoulder. I didn’t mind it when his strong arm wrapped around my waist. We were walking as though we were in a drunken three-legged race, which elicited a delirious giggle from me. He glanced down, a grin smeared across his own lips. The stars glittered above us, mirroring the twinkle of the magic in my veins. I didn’t have to look behind me to know that with every step I took, I left sparkling ice in my wake.
Dom opened the thick wooden door for me, and this time, the fire in the hearth was fully lit, casting a warm glow throughout his home. I followed him to the kitchen where he put water in a kettle.
I hopped on the counter, leaning slightly back to watch as he rolled back the sleeves of his shirt, exposing muscular forearms honed by years of physical training. He turned the heat up on his stove, and raked his hands through his messy hair that never ceased to appear artfully disheveled.
The silence between us grew heavy with the mounting tension of unspoken thoughts. Two warm mugs of spiced tea steamed with Dom’s preparations.
He brought them over, his face a careful mask as he moved to stand between my legs. Never breaking eye contact, he relinquished the mugs, then began kneading the coiled muscles in my shoulders. A groan escaped me as I leaned into his touch, and he paused.
He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it, resuming his careful movements. I shifted closer to him, aligning our bodies. Peering up, I stared at his lips. “I want you,” I whispered.
He swept my hair away from my face in a tender, casual gesture. “M’est kisertes.”He appeared pained. “I brought you here because my heart and my magic are restless when we’re apart. I cannot be at peace if you’re not with me. I am a jealous man and once you’re mine, I will not let you go. I know I told you that whatever you chose to give me would be enough, but I was wrong.” He clenched his hand around the countertop, eyes blazing. “I want everything.”
My magic purred.
Though I still sifted through programmed lies and distrust of myself, I wanted him to know I would give it all. “I didn’t know how dangerous hope could feel.” Fear still hovered inthe background, but I could not deny how my hidden longing for a loving home, one that I had never truly had, found its culmination in this steadfast man.
His lips grazed my temple. His gravelly tone stoked the embers of my soul. “We can walk this path together. I will protect your heart with all my power and strength. With my very life.”
He exuded quiet reassurance as my fingers skated across his forehead to push the persistent lock of hair away from his brow.
I summoned my courage. “You cut through my shields and awakened something I thought was long dead. You laid to rest something I thought I had needed to survive.”
He reached for me then, twining his fingers with mine. “You have nothing to fear. Never from me.”
His declaration and my acceptance of it clicked something final into place. My own possession erupted. I was in my body, and yet not.
A tug in my chest had my hand grasping at my heart, which had momentarily palpitated. Dom coughed, his breath mimicking mine, his own hand reaching over his heart with a wince. The gold rings around his eyes pulsed.
