Magic.
Did Eryx do that on purpose? Was it a continuation of what happened on the balcony?
My humiliation curdles into something else as I follow Stave through the halls.
Not anger. Not yet.
Confusion. Fear.
A thrill that’s impossible to name.
We just had magical orgasms from holding hands. What does that mean? What happens next time we touch? What happens if we?—
No. Stop.
By the time we’re near the dining room, confusion has sharpened into fury.
He should have warned me about that. He knew our magic was reactive, and he let me touch him anyway.
I toss the ball for the shadow dog to fetch, and as it races to the other side of the dining room, I skid to a halt, my sneakers squeaking on the polished marble.
This isn’t the dining room at all.
It’s Eryx’s study. A small table has been set up. A vase of red roses sits in the middle, and covering the rest of the table are candles.
And in the corner are musicians playing romantic music.
What the hell is this?
I hear Eryx enter behind me. I whirl on him, fists clenched, jaw tight.
“Get them out,” I say, teeth clenched.
Eryx’s eyes brush over my face as if he’s trying to decide if I’m about to blow.
Oh, I’m about to blow, all right.
“Guys.” He slides a hand across his throat, giving them the “cut” signal. “Thank you. Stave will pay you.”
The musicians get up. The last one stares at the table longingly, as if he’d really wanted to play romantic music during our supposedly romantic dinner.
As soon as they’re gone, Eryx keeps his gaze trained on me as he closes the door softly behind them.
“Chelsea, look?—”
“How dare you marry me and then use my magic to get you off!”
His brow furrows in confusion. “I wasn’t?—”
“What was that back there?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“I don’t believe you. Your magic rubbed all over me at the ball and now this.” I smooth the crease that’s formed between my eyebrows with a finger. “I don’t even know you, and if you think making me come with your magic is how you’ll get me in bed, you’re wrong.”
He folds his arms. “And what if I were going to say the same to you?”
I blink. “What?”
