He grinned at me. “I’m more than happy to find out.”
Okay then.
“Me too. But not yet,” I added when he reached for me. “I don’t know about fae refractory times, but that wiped me out. I’m going to need a minute.”
Dathal’s smirk suggested he was more than ready to go again, but I hadn’t lied. Mind-blowing sex on top of a full day and evening spent at Midnight meant I was fading fast.
As I lost the fight and my eyes dropped closed, I smiled as I felt him lie back down and loop an arm over my waist.
The effects of his magic had faded but hadn’t gone entirely. It wrapped around me, a featherlight touch across my skin, comforting in a way I wasn’t used to.
Safe.
Not something I thought I needed or wanted, but there was no denying the way I relaxed under his touch.
I hope he stays.
It was the last thought I had before sleep claimed me.
* * *
Murmured voices wokeme the next morning. I rolled over to find Dathal sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, with his phone to his ear.
No chance of a repeat, then.
Glancing over his shoulder, he smiled at me as he ended the call. “Morning.”
“Morning.” I ran a hand through my hair, the mark on my wrist catching my eye, and I remembered.
Fuck.
Not something I was looking forward to dealing with.
First things first, though.
“I was hoping you’d stay for a bit this morning.”
He shifted positions to face me. “I wanted to, but that was Axel.” He nodded at his phone. “He wants to go over a few things before we meet up with Gabriel and Max later.”
And on that note.
I sat up and rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward. “They don’t know,” I said quietly.
The understanding in his eyes told me I didn’t need to elaborate. “I thought as much.”
“Only my coven knows.” I hesitated. “And Zane.”
His eyebrows rose. “You trusted him.”
“Yeah, I did.” And that was why his betrayal cut so deep.
Dathal’s fingers wrapped around mine. “I’m sorry. This must be hard for you.”
“It is,” I said, then wanted to kick myself.
Shit.
“I’m sorry.”
