He stops and stares at me. Something fiery burns in his eyes. “Do you want the truth, little rose? Is that what you want?”
The way he says it, I feel his magic unfurling from him, caressing my body, wrapping around me in a way that feels claiming.
Danger, Chelsea!
I lift my chin. “If the truth is what I need, then yes, I want the truth. All of it.”
His jaw flexes and suddenly his magic vanishes. “I don’t make nightmares,” he whispers, his voice like velvet. “I take them, eat them and digest them. The worst thoughts and fears people have, those are the ones they never see, they never experience because I save them from those fears.”
The air between us is charged, and the only sound in the room is the rippling water of the pool.
“And what about my fears?” I ask. “Will you save me from those?”
He leans in and I hold my breath. “Maybe we’ll save each other.”
My breath catches. This wasn't part of the deal. We're supposed to be business partners. Separate bedrooms. One year.
But the way he's looking at me right now—like I'm not a means to an end. Like I'm wanted.
He shifts forward.
I don't pull away. Our lips are so close I can feel his warm breath against my mouth. Mint. Refreshing.
My magic stirs beneath my skin, reaching for his.
Kiss me, something inside me whispers.Kiss me and let's see what happens.
But then reality crashes back. This is the Nightmare King. A man I met three days ago. A man who could consume me whole if I let him.
I pull back. Just an inch. Just enough. His eyes flash—disappointment, maybe. Or relief. I can't tell.
Eryx rocks back and something shudders behind his eyes. He exhales a hard breath. “Now. Let me show you to your room.”
As we leave the pool room, I glance back at the water. One year, I remind myself. Just one year.
So why does that suddenly feel like not enough time at all?
Eryx
We climb the stairs to the second floor. Chelsea is beside me, her perfume wrapping around me like something I didn’t realize I’d been missing.
Then of course Nightmare breaks the quiet.
If we don’t get a kiss soon, I’m going to lose it.
If you lose it,I remind Nightmare,then you’ll never get that kiss.
Damn. You’re right.Nightmare is quiet while it thinks.Did Stave have enough time?
I hope so. He’s had since last night to get the bedroom ready.
You’re such a devil, Eryx. I like you more today than yesterday.
I roll my eyes.That’s because we married her.
Nightmare is far too giddy when it replies,And soon we’ll get to have her.
That’s still debatable.
