“When I sing my wordless songs, the emotion from my music is felt by all those who hear it. I can invoke sorrow, joy, and, at times, inspire those who hear.”
I blinked, in awe of the gift she was describing. “It is a gift of the mind to inspire emotion through your music. Were you born in Aelius?”
“Not Aelius, but I was traveling there when—”Her eyes grew distant as she looked away.
On instinct, I reached out to cup her face in my hand, turning her gaze back toward me. “You never need to hide when you are with me, Nyssa,” I declared. “I will help carry your burdens. My strength is yours.”
Could she sense it?Was she able to feel or understand the intent behind my declaration? Why I would gladly sacrifice my own sanity and well-being if it meant she would be safe?
She didn’t move away from my touch or flinch as she had in the past. I swallowed my fears and pushed matters further.
I moved my brow to touch hers, feeling the caress of her smooth skin against mine. I breathed in her scent that sparked flames of desire in my soul. She was a survivor, healing in her own time. I had to respect that. I had to force myself not to give in to my throbbing need that was now painfully pushing against me.
Sensing that this might be the end of my limits, I took one final moment to memorize the feel of her, but as I moved to pull away, her hand threaded into the hair at the base of my neck.
I stilled. Seconds ticked by like years as she shifted her body closer to mine. I swallowed a heavy gulp, my breathing intensifying as my arousal throbbed with my racing heart.
“C–as-t-or.” It was a faint whisper, almost inaudible even at this proximity, but I knew it came from Nyssa.
My name. She hadn’t spoken since Skylar’s healing, and her first word wasmy name.
I swiftly moved in, swallowing her whispers with my mouth on hers, devouring the forbidden fruit that had been looming over my head for too long. Nyssa’s fingers curled into my hair as she pulled me closer. My mouth opened to taste her, and Gods above, she was delicious.
I reached a hand under the slit of her dress. But I sensed her hesitation, and I immediately pulled back.
“I’m sorry.” I breathed heavily, apologizing for my boldness and giving in to my desires without thinking.
Gods, I wanted her. But I could never force anything she didn’t wholeheartedly desire herself.
She unhooked her hand from behind my head. “Don’t be,” she signed. “It’s just that—”
“It’s me, Nyssa,” I said. “You don’t need to explain anything. I understand, and… I can be patient.”
I had talked about this fact through countless nights with Zola. Like Nyssa, Zola had been infected by the wilt’s magic, and lingering effects from the dark magic were likely still affecting her as they did Zola.
Time and understandingwere what Zola had told me. And with the Gods as my witness, forher, I would gladly offer both.
Nyssa’s shoulders relaxed, and a smirk worked its way to the corner of her mouth.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
She lightly huffed. “I can’t tell you.”
“You also said you just wanted my company for the night, yet…” I trailed off, watching her bite the lip I had the pleasure of savoring only a moment before.
“Thatwas not planned,” she signed with a small grin hiding along the corner of her mouth.
“Sometimes, the best things in life aren’t.” I gazed at her expression, trying to decipher what she was feeling.
“That’s surprising to hear from you.”
“Sometimes, the beauty of the moment is enough,” I said, repeating the words I remembered Daxton telling me after his first kiss with Skylar on theOpal.
I witnessed my brother fall more and more in love with his mate each and every second they spent together, despite the distance he tried and failed to keep between them. I smiled, knowing all too well how he was feeling.
“Do you think I will ever… heal? Will I ever be myself again, Castor?”
I paused, wanting to give her my full attention and honest words. “Yes,” I told her, believing with every fiber of my soul that she would. “One day,” I said into the crisp night air. “One day, something will inspire youenough to sing again, Nyssa. And that day will be one I carry with me for all eternity.”
