“I love your confidence, thinking I’ll let you rest.”
Stellar felt an evil smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, stretching his lips. A spark of life lit inside him at the challenge Stygian presented. “Your confidence is astounding. I love the way you think I can’t make you do anything and everything I want.”
“Actually, I’m banking on that.”
Stellar couldn’t stop smiling. He loved a good banter session. People rarely tried to test him.
“My lord.”
Stellar didn’t look Taurus' way. He didn’t need a lecture. “You can go.”
He felt the heat of Taurus' silent anger as he headed for the door. Stellar would make it up to him. Taurus wasn’t just a guard to him. He was Stellar’s friend. Tonight, Stellar didn’t think a friend was what he needed. Judging by the power and excitement coursing through his veins, Stellar had a feeling he had found what he sought: an enemy.
Chapter Seven
Moonbeamsshonebrightlythroughthe trees, giving the forest an almost strobe light effect as he ran through the woods, using his vampire speed. Stone had no idea what he fled. He only knew he couldn’t stop moving. The scent of blood and tiny hearts beating assailed his senses. He was hungry in a way he hadn’t been since he was a fledgling. If he stopped moving, he would do something terrible. Stone didn’t want to harm anyone else.
Sunshine suddenly parted the trees. The moon was all but forgotten. His pace slowed. Stone didn’t have the same energy in the daylight. In the light, nothing looked the same. His anxiety vanished. The only blood he smelled was the sweetest of drinks. The only heartbeat beat for him. Standing ankle-deep in a creek, Lysander kicked through the water. His glow outshone the sun. The smile he wore was all Stone saw.
“I knew you’d come.” Stone had no idea why he said that. But as the words had left his lips, Stone realized exactly how true they were.
Eyes, a mixture of blue and green, turned his way. Lysander’s smile didn’t dim. “Hey, gorgeous. I’ll always come for you.”
Stone smiled at the innuendo. “Well, I mean, you should. I work hard to make you happy.”
Lysander’s eyes sparkled with happiness. He bit his bottom lip as his gaze swept down Stone’s body. “Hard indeed.”
Yeah, there was likely no hiding his erection. Lysander didn’t even have to touch him to bring him to life.
Lysander’s expression changed. His bottom lip shot out. “Too bad this is only a dream. You won’t feel my touch for real here.”
Stone looked around. He supposed he had known that. Everything had a dream-like quality. Nothing looked solid or real, except Lysander. He saw every inch of him.
“We should definitely wake up so I can show my appreciation for having you as my better half.”
“Sorry, can’t.”
Lysander made the claim nonchalantly, as if Stone should have noticed by now that he couldn’t wake. He fought harder to get back to the real Lysander.
“I am the real Lysander. We’re connected with each other’s minds, remember, and Frost knocked me out too.”
Stone moved closer to the water’s edge. “Too? What do you mean? Why would he do that?”
Lysander climbed onto a large rock and jumped toward Stone.
Stone automatically caught him. Suddenly, Stone didn’t care so much about the whys. Lysander felt very real in his arms. “On second thought, what’s the rush? As long as we’re together, right?”
Lysander brightened. “Exactly.” His smile slipped away. He wrapped his arms around Stone’s neck, as if scared he would get away. “What do you remember?”
Stone sifted through his memories, trying to recall the last thing he had done. His chest warmed. “I was spending time with Celina.”
Lysander nodded. “And then?”
Stone shook his head. “Then nothing. I kissed her wee hand and—” Stone froze. He didn’t need to relive the moment, but he knew he would sound mad. “I think she healed me.”
Lysander looked taken aback. “You went into a seizure. I’m not sure that can be considered healing.”
“I don’t know anything about that, but I suddenly recalled everything: who possessed me and what Stygian had done while wearing my skin.” Sadness swept through him. “It’s not good.”
