Page 172 of Blood of the Fairest

"I haven't stepped into the physical world in years, thanks to Reinhilde's spell holding me captive. And before that, I never tried to be with someone, since I was more interested in research that could hopefully free me one day. I know I'm useful to you in the mirror realm, so I wasn't certain whether you would be happy that I…"

I clear my throat, unsure how to voice this particular worry. "That is, I wasn't sure whether you'd still consider us to be…Butcher Cassidy and the Dancing Child, if I was no longer in the mirror."

Verena presses her red-stained lips together, fighting a smile. She moves closer again, until we're so close that I'm holding my breath, gazing into the humor dancing in her dark blue eyes.

"The only butcher here is you, because you just slaughtered those names. But it's adorable that you're trying to use my references," she twists my words with a teasing smirk. "You being out of the mirror doesn't change what a great team we are, Eris. Of course, I'm happy you're out tonight—just warn me the next time you set up an impromptu wine tasting, okay?"

At that, she strips off one glove, holding up her bare palm as if she's about to lay it on glass.

It's a reminder of when she first gave me a name. Only this time, no glass keeps us apart.

Heart pounding, I mirror her once more, raising my own hand and placing it against her smaller one.

Her warm touch has me exhaling at last, smiling in return.

"I only brought Reinhilde's wine to curb your thirst."

"I figured. And I happen to really need the edge off tonight, so thanks for being so thoughtful."

Her fingers interlace with mine. I marvel at the sensation. Verena tilts her head back to study me, her gaze lingering on my hair.

"Now…about that third promise you wanted from me," she begins meaningfully.

My attention drops to her lips at once. My other hand is already brushing the waist of her cracked-mirror ballgown, not yet daring to pull her closer.

"One kiss," I murmur.

"Just one, huh?" she laughs, sounding as breathless as I feel. "You're pretty chaste, for a voyeur. Close your eyes."

"And deprive myself of this view? What part of me craving you to the point of madness are you not understanding?"

Verena stands on her tiptoes, her sweet breath brushing my chin. "Keep flattering me, and I might have to make it two kisses."

My eyes shut before her warm lips press to mine. Immediately, I pull her closer, needing more of this tenderness. This soft, simple…

Pleasure.

So this is what it feels like.

No wonder everyone is obsessed. It feels incredibly nice.

Yet nice only gets better when Verena's hands tangle in my hair, her mouth parting and coaxing mine to do the same. I gasp and then groan as our kiss deepens into something far more intense.

Her tongue brushes along my upper lip, and then her teeth drag playfully along my lower one.

I try not to shiver at every delicious new sensation, mimicking each one to feel Verena smile against my lips. My hands smooth up and down her sides before I catch the end of her remaining glove, pulling it off her arm.

My rapid heartbeat stops for a moment when she reaches behind herself to begin unlacing her ballgown's bodice.

Yes.

Crones, I need Verena naked.

Turning her around, I quickly begin unweaving the ribbons myself, kissing along her smooth shoulder and neck. She cranes her head back to capture my lips once more.

Before I can slide off the ballgown that has been tormenting me, she whispers against my lips.

"Hey, Eris?"