He rumbles a response. “Yes, but now I know you don’t mind man bits.”
My face grows hotter. It was much easier to hide when he thought I was only attracted to women. But instead of pressing his advantage, Lucas shifts his hips away, and it’s so considerate that a fresh wave of tears washes over me. I sniffle, eyes swelling in an unseemly manner. He pulls me back to his neck and I grumble, “Your shoulder is gross.”
“Like I give a shit. Come here.” He tightens his arms, bringing my head to his clean side. Jinx must’ve washed him while I was unconscious because he smells fresh, his natural scent filling my nose. It gives me the strength for what I must say next.
“The Arachnomiconis trapped in the basement.” My words are barely more than a harsh whisper.
Lucas nods, combing my tangled hair gently. “I figured.”
He rests his head against mine and it’s so soothing that I almost lose my will to continue. But I have no choice. “The venom.” My breath shivers and I brace for impact. “It has a prolonged effect. It’s weakened your magic.”
He pauses. His hand disentangles from my hair to lift for him to study his rings. They glow before sputtering and dying. “For how long?”
“A few days with proper rest. Maybe more. Your body needs time to heal.” Lucas tenses. I ramble on, unsure how to comfort him. “Being a magician saved you. The Entropy properties of the venom feed off magic in the blood. If you were a weaver, if it had bitten me, I would’ve died before reaching the top of the stairs. But your magic is from your rings. It’s going to make the connection to them unstable while you heal.”
“Hm.” He works his jaw, his fingers rippling. “What a very specific venom…”
I shudder violently; the sensation of the spider’s legs dragging me is inescapable. Something dark twists in my gut. Lucas’ insinuation sinks deep into my psyche. Yes, the venom could be a very clever defense against other priests back before the rules of magic were in effect. But to be hired for an acquisition for a deadly grimoire that can transform into a weaver-killing spider at the same time the Order has discovered me… That would make it a very clever, dastardly trap set by the type of coward my father is. He would try to kill me without bothering to face me himself.
My eyes narrow and my body tightens. I’m going to have a very long conversation with Mr. Solomon Nightingale when he arrives to pick up his book. The kind of conversation that has given my basement a monster-under-the-bed kind of reputation within the Guild.
Lucas’ warmth disappears as he abandons my bed to sway dangerously to his feet. I gasp, flopping painfully after him. Fuck, my chest feels like it’s been punched and I only manage an inelegant sprawl. My voice cracks horribly when I yell, “Get into bed, idiot!”
Lucas snatches the bedpost to steady himself. “I’m fine.”
He’s not, but the words die in my throat. Holy fuck, Lucas Flint is naked. My lips part as I take him in from head to toe and back again. He is a chiseled masterpiece of masculinity. No matter how many times I’ve seen him undressed while meticulously patching him back together, he always manages to catch my breath.
I shake my head harshly to clear it. “Where are you going? You can’t even walk.”
Lucas waves me off. “I just needed a moment to get stable. See? I’m fine.” He nods towards my bathroom door. “I’m going to clean up.”
I counter, “You’re already clean.”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t awake to enjoy it.” He nods towards the door and adds, “Care to join me? The things I can do with a sponge will have you begging for more.”
His tone holds his usual brand of playfulness, and yet my body reacts as if it were a true invitation. Temptation sweeps through me in a sinful wave, warmth flooding my center as pleasurable awareness purrs within me. My gaze dips down indecently. Fuck, he’d probably be an amazing lay. The power in him, the dexterity of his hands from working his magic. Not to mention the impressive size of him…
I bite my lip, forgetting myself.
Lucas’ head cocks, his eyes lighting. My heart pounds as he turns towards me, his hand still gripping the post of my bed. His voice has a huskiness that wasn’t there before and goosebumps ripple over me. “Perhaps a good cleaning could ease some of this…” His smile curls and, holy fuck, this is going to be hard to say no to. “… unbearable tension.”
I bite my lip harder to keep the humiliation of gasping a desperate yes at bay. My one saving grace is that I’m too weak to throw the blankets off myself and spread my thighs wide in invitation.
Lucas steps closer and his playfulness almost breaks my resolve. “We could have one of those purely platonic baths I’ve heard so much about.”
A memory stirs of another life in another bath. Valen’s bath. The massive claw-footed tub held both of us easily, his musician’s hands sliding over me in perfect rhythm. A strawberry caught between his lips. My body arching over as I took a juicy, sweet bite.
My throat works, almost tasting the expensive wine we stole from his father’s cellars for the occasion.
But Valen probably loathes me now.
My heart pangs. The sadness is frustrating, and the guilt makes it worse. Guilt from stealing from Valen and guilt that I’m looking at Lucas and thinking of another man.
I force a playful smile. “A tempting offer, and I’m sure you’re an excellent back washer, but no.”
Lucas’ expression is careful as he scans me and my stomach drops. Can he tell something is wrong? But before he can ask whatever question formed in his mind, a feral growl from the stairs interrupts us.
Jinx stalks forward in her humanoid form, patchy fur raised. “Get your ass back in bed before I tie you to the headboard.”
