I roll my eyes. “All the arachnid gods beyond,spare me.” But I don’t miss the way Valen’s gaze dips over Lucas, a glint of interest that wasn’t there before sparking. Lucas’ smile widens.
Working together, the two of them wrap me up quickly. Valen tips three potions into my mouth and drowsiness immediately floods my veins. I smile and giggle as the world tips and turns like on the deck of a boat, each sway taking away more of the pain until all that is left is a delicious buzzing.
“Oh fuck, you gave me the good stuff even after I lied,” I slur at Valen.
Valen glares. “Yes, how noble of me. I’m not the heartless bastard, after all.”
“I wouldn’t gothatfar,” Lucas adds as he swiftly unbuttons his shirt.
He shrugs out of it and slides his arm under my shoulders to push me up to sit. It’s like my brain is oil and vinegar and he shook it. I sway, not sure where gravity is anymore and marvel at my painless state. He eases his shirt onto my body, moving my arms for me when I get distracted. I groan as the heated cotton wraps around me. Oh fuck, that tasty, masculine scent that I so strongly associate with Lucas surrounds me. He doesn’t wear cologne, instead opting for a simple soap that mixes with the natural scent of his skin so nicely. It’s rare that I find sweat an enjoyable scent, but somehow Lucas makes it work. All I want is to curl up in it and stare at Lucas’ scrumptiously half-clad body for hours.
Lucas’ smile is lazy, like warm morning sex on the weekends. “Like what you see?”
I’m about to purr my agreement, but Valen asks in a far-off tone, “What is enchanted on your chest?”
I frown and study Lucas’ bare chest. Lucas looks down, too. “Oh, Tori did that. She’s hiding my scars.”
Valen’s brows draw together. “Why?”
Lucas shrugs and begins buttoning up the shirt to cover my chest. “You’ll have to ask her.”
I fall forward, smiling happily when Lucas catches me. “Clean slate.”
Valen asks something else, but I’m too far gone. I mumble, “Take me tobed, Lucas.”
Lucas huffs a laugh. “Gladly.”
He swoops me up into his arms and I giggle. The door to the infirmary slams against the wall when Lucas kicks it open. He saunters confidently into the hall before pausing and turning from side to side. “Okay, I’m posturing here. I have no idea where we are. Wanna get your ass up and help us, blueblood?”
A little manic giggle bubbles out of me. My eyes are barely open. “Oh, Lucas, thewayshe could kill you.”
“Yes.” Valen’s drawl is too close. I open my heavy eyes to catch him staring down Lucas. “Theways.”
Lucas smirks. “Oh, I’d like to see you try.”
There’s a sensual danger in Valen’s smile. “I don’t think you could handle me, magician.”
The simmering tension helps wake me up but for all the wrong reasons. A flicker of excitement sparks in my chest as my eyes dart between the men. Are they… flirting?
Lucas’ eyes sweep Valen. “You’d be surprised with what I can handle. Especially when I use my…” I shiver from his teasing tone. “Little threads, as you put it.”
My eyes flare and Valen draws in a subtle breath. A heartbeat passes before those blue eyes return the same assessing sweep, like he, too, is imagining what those gold threads would feel like tight around arms and thighs. My heart pounds. I sense an opportunity but can’t figure out how to seize it. Damn these potions! Hopefully, they won’t need my assistance and they’ll take up the bait all on their own.
Valen turns away first. “Follow me.”
We make our way through the estate and I flicker in and out of awareness as we go, my head lolling with each step. There’s a pause. A door clicking open. Movement forward before a jostling halt.
“How did you so eloquently put it earlier?” Malice drips in Valen’s voice. “Over my dead fucking body.”
My eyes flutter open to behold the two men glaring each other down. Lucas snarls, “No way in hell am I letting her sleep in there alone.”
“She’s safer in this house than anywhere else. Now give her to me and go back to your room. I’ll stay with her.”
Lucas arms tighten on me and he glares murderously at Valen. “Like hell you will.”
“Guys…” I’m slurring again. The potions are dragging me down, but I have to do something. There was a moment before. That one, shining moment of potent tension that I can still exploit. I need to get my words together. I can do this. I’mgoodat this. And the reward will be great.
“Guys… Men…” I lick my lips with my too-thick tongue and try again. “Why don’t we all sleep together.” A giggle escapes. “Flip a coin on who gets front and back.”
