On a base level, I understand that Lucas is simply being a pain in the ass and baiting Valen. However, my damn heart didn’t get the notice, and I flush hotly. I shift out of his hold, my head ducking slightly. “So. Um.” My train of thought is disrupted. I smooth my hair back and try my best to ignore how smug Lucas looks, or the flash of violence in Valen’s eyes. I glance at Valen. “Do you think we could solve the riddle?”
My gesture appeases him, especially when Lucas’ jaw clenches. Valen tilts his head. “I don’t know what the riddle is. Only my father has heard it and lived. We could risk it, but the riddle’s answer might not be logical.”
“But it’s in a sphinx’s nature to always have an answer.”
“Or it could be a simplistic riddle that has a multitude of answers, all of which could technically be correct.” His eyes narrow thoughtfully. “But only one would be the true key to the door. All other answers would mean death.”
I tap my lip, eyes narrowing. “I bet I could solve it…”
Lucas interrupts. “Absolutely not.”
I glare at him. “You doubt my capabilities?”
“No, but this sphinx? It’s a weaver trap.”
I blink. “What?”
“Think about it. There’s only one reason to keep all your rarest and most valuable magical items in amuseuminstead of a vault.” He points a finger at Valen. “So you can show off to all your asshole weaver buddies. And why use a sphinx to guard it,instead of a wyvern or a gryphon or some other powerful, dumb creature?” His finger moves to me and my glare turns into a scowl. “So that weavers likeyouwill march up, tap its shoulder, and ask for the fucking riddle. There’s probably a plate and a saltshaker so you can season yourself while you’re at it.”
Bitterness tightens my body, but he’s not wrong. I chew on this theory, scuffing my shoe. My gaze turns to Valen. “Anything to add to that?”
Valen’s hands slide into his pockets and he shrugs. “It’s conceivable.”
Lucas brightens. “Exactly. Which is why we should put it to sleep.”
I stomp and hiss an infuriated, “Lucas.” I throw my palm towards him. “You couldn’t putThe Arachnomiconto sleep. Why do you think you can do it to something so powerful as a sphinx?”
“Because.” His arrogance grates on my last nerve. “The Arachnomiconabsorbs magic. The sphinx doesn’t work like that.”
“She canwieldmagic like a weaver. She’ll incant and counter-curse you.”
“Which is why we have to do it before she can speak.”
I hesitate. Maybe I’m going crazy, because Lucas is starting to make sense. “Catch her by surprise…”
“And muzzle her.” Lucas is too excited to notice the uncomfortable glances Valen and I share. “Then I’ll hold her while you get the Amulet of Acerabus.”
“If you think you can hold her…” I shake my head, my long hair tickling my exposed shoulder blades. Fucking dress. I stretch my arm back to scratch viciously. “This is beyond stupid. We can’t face a creature of this caliber without a well-researched plan. Valen, take us to the main library. I’m sure you have a bestiary in there, right?”
The stupid drop sleeves constrict my arm movement and I can’t quite reach the itchiest spot. I bare my teeth and twist. “Motherfucking useless shit?—”
Lucas bends down and flips a blade out from his boot. It spins in his palm and he steps forward. My breath catches, the blade hot from his body against my exposed skin. It slices through the sleeves in efficient flicks. My face warms and I accept the tattered remains of the sleeves with a soft, “Thank you.”
He smirks and uses the blunt edge of the knife under my chin to tilt my face up. “You’re welcome, my sweet Torment.”
Heat washes through me, my skin rippling in bumps. Lucas smiles slow, wicked, and his gaze shifts to glint mockingly at Valen. “Ready to be useful, blueblood?”
My hair is gathered from my shoulders and I only have a moment to blink in confusion before a fist tightens. I’m tugged back with enough force that I stumble to land against Valen’s solid chest. Tingling pleasure erupts over my scalp, my lashes fluttering, my chest pumping against the constraints of the corset, as Valen wraps my long hair in a slow twist until it’s around his fist. My hands reach back and clutch Valen’s hips in a desperate anchor. Magic intensifies the sensation and I sink my teeth in my lower lip.
Valen releases and my hair remains in an intricate knot at the base of my skull. His short nails scrape down my neck to drag along my spine. My body instinctively undulates, the intense arousal from earlier returning in full, pulsing force.
My eyes close when his lips brush the shell of my ear. “Have any other needs for me to fulfill, my love?”
His fingers snag on the edge of my dress in a sinful tug and I gasp, my eyes fluttering back open. Lucas’ cold, deadly glare is trained on Valen. His blade spins leisurely in his hand, his matte black rings glinting a hint of gold.
I clear my throat and step away from Valen quickly, but the fucking skirts catch on the toe of my boot. I collide with Lucas’ chest and his strong arms wrap around me. His hands curl around my waist and tighten like he’s clutching something precious. My heart pulses and I shove away. “Okay, that’s enough. Library. Now. We have a sphinx to outsmart.”
I gather my skirts in my fists and march down the hall. Not grabbing the matching fan for the dress was a mistake. I could really use the airflow to cool my flushed body.
