His lips quirked at the corners like he was about to smile. “It’s our w-way.”
He pulled out the chair at the desk and gestured for me to sit down. I didn’t know what he was doing, but I sat down. He knelt in front of me and untied both of my boots.
“There is a s-story my people used to tell.” He removed one of my boots, setting it to the side. “About a baby born during the biggest storm Inferna has ever seen.”
He spoke confidently and clearly, his stutter gone. I gripped the edge of the chair and didn’t take my eyes off the top of his head as he pulled off my second boot.
“Her mother was visiting her horse in the stables, feeling bad about not being able to ride her so late in the pregnancy. She thought she could make it from the stables to the castle because the storm was far enough away.”
I hadn’t heard this version of the story, but I’d heard that my mother was found passed out inside the back entrance of the castle. She had told everyone that she hadn’t eaten and had fainted. She then went into labor and gave birth to me.
He had now pulled off my socks and stood, offering his hand to help me stand. His brown eyes met mine.
“What happened?” I whispered.
“The storm caught her.” He reached for the hem of my shirt, hesitating before I nodded for him to continue. “Mygreat-grandfather worked in the castle and saw it happen while cleaning a window. It struck her over and over again.”
I was shaking as I lifted my arms for Kage to remove my shirt. My mother had never once mentioned being hit by lightning while pregnant with me.
“It took her light?” My head popped free.
“No, at least I don’t think.” He hesitated. “It gave you light.”
My world was spinning, and Kage placed his hands on my elbows, holding me steady as my brain tried to reconcile the information.
“But… how?” If I had a lot of light, I would have been hunted and drained by magic users like the poor luminous monkeys had been. “Am I a monkey shifter?” Luminous monkeys weren’t shifters, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how they hid themselves now—if any still existed.
Kage snorted and unbuttoned my pants. “No, you hide it well.”
I held onto his shoulders as he knelt again and helped me out of my pants, leaving me only in my underwear and bra. “I don’t understand. Why me?”
“Why not you?” Kage dropped my pants into the pile he’d started and stood, brushing my hair back. His touch was tender, and I leaned into it.
I didn’t trust Kage completely yet, but he’d bound himself to Nico to be close to me. Did he want something, or did he want to help protect me?
I searched his eyes for any malice, and his cheeks turned pink. His fingers danced along my jaw, hesitating at my chin before he moved them up to brush over my lips.
“Your stutter is better,” I whispered, his touch tickling my sensitive skin.
“Only with you.” Resolve flashed in his eyes, and he leaned forward, replacing his fingers with his lips.
Some part of me knew this was coming, but it still shocked me. His lips moved in soft sweeps that made me shut my eyes and sigh.
It only lasted a few seconds before he pulled away, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
I took his hand before he could retreat. “Thank you for telling me that story.”
“You shouldn’t tell anyone about it. It’s too dangerous.” He managed a small, strained smile. “I need to clean.”
I nodded, and he kissed my cheek before disappearing.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SAMARA
After my shower, my mind was still reeling about my brother being alive and the story Kage had shared. And about the kiss.
Maybe there was something to my thoughts about turning into a succubus. It wasn’t unheard of for a null to develop their abilities later. I already absorbed light, what was a little desire added to the mix?
