My silence must amuse him, because a laugh rumbles in his chest. “Shadows below, I have so much to teach you.”
He does. He really does, but I don’t appreciate his tone, so I slip from bed before he can haul me back.
“Wait,” he gripes as I slip back into my green dress. “I still have orgasms to give you. So many orgasms.”
I snort, mostly to cover the way my breath quickens. “So many orgasms to give yourself, you mean.”
“Well, that, too,” he admits.
I almost turn back. Almost. “I want to see the courtyard,” I say. “And the Wildwood. Up close. We have the rest of eternity for orgasms.”
He sighs. But he doesn’t protest, just hauls himself from bed and busies himself finding a pair of pants and one of his familiar, low-cut shirts. I eye the slice of golden skin that shows through the gap, then tear my eyes away, forcing myself to march into the hall.
He can wait.
So can I. I think.
Downstairs, we pass through a door and into a dusk-cloaked courtyard. I pad across soft grass, across earth that feels like it’s been here forever. In the center of the clearing, a heap of white sand glimmers—all that’s left to mark the hourglass’s existence. I kick at it with a bare foot, let the grains collect between my toes.
Idid that. Broke the curse and freed my mate. Freed myself.
“So,” Amriel says. Sunset warms his skin to bronze and brightens his eyes to yellow flames. “This new Grace of yours. Does it work on people? Onfae?”
I frown. I told him all about my magic last night, but I don’t know all the rules yet. I’m not sure anyone does, whether anyone has ever tried to duplicate aperson.
“Maybe,” I say hesitantly. “I guess I don’t see why not.”
“Good,” he says, stepping closer. A gleam kindles in his eyes. “Because I think you should try it on me.”
“What?” My brows dive together. “No. I can’t?—”
He grabs my hand, presses it to his chest. “Just try. I trust you.”
I attempt to pull away, to escape the swell of my magic as it chews up from my depths. As it answers him against my will. But he holds my hand in place, his grin turning reckless as the magic hits him and…
I blink. And blink. Nowtwoof him stand there. One fae, one goblin.
Amriel lets out a groan that sounds like he’s been holding it in fordays. “Shadows take me.” He cracks his neck, rolls his shoulders. “That’ssomuch better.”
I gape up at him. Snatch my hand back. “How dare you?” I snap, the words accusing. “What if that had hurt you?”
“Hurt me?” A sly grin sneaks across his mouth. “Nothing can hurt me. Not anymore.”
I stomp my foot, then turn to the Shadow, but he looks just as relieved. “I’m fine, Princess. We’refine.”
I huff. “I can see that. But… But…”
Amriel lifts an eyebrow. “Why don’tyoutry having him in your head all day? Listening to his obsessive thoughts up close, hear him constantly drooling over?—”
“My thoughts arenotobsessive,” cuts in the Shadow. “Not any more than yours. And you drool just as much as I do.”
Amriel looks at his Shadow askance. “I absolutely do not.”
A faint growl blooms in the Shadow’s chest. “Lie. That’s an outright lie.”
A cold snicker falls from Amriel’s lips. “At least Icanlie,” he says flatly. “Unlike someone I know.”
My gaze skates from one to the other. Ten seconds of separation, and they’re already fighting. “Stop,” I say. “Just stop it, will you? Both of you. You’re like overgrown children.”
