Page 19

“You’re warm,” Grayson whispered. “Feels good.”

I’d forgotten how free Grayson was with his thoughts. “And you’re cold. Is that normal?”

Grayson shrugged a single shoulder. “I’m not sure. Haven’t touched that many others to know.” Before I could contemplate his response, Grayson inhaled deeply, his body relaxing as he exhaled. “Try and relax. Focus on your core, that part of you that you pull from when you want to shift forms.”

Cool waves of blue fire licked up Grayson’s arms and across his fingers. That fire harmlessly danced within my palms, tickling my skin. “My fire likes you. That’s a good sign my wisp form will too.”

“It is fortunate you have cool flames. Otherwise, this might be a bit more uncomfortable.”

Grayson’s grin crinkled his eyes. “True enough. Now, try and stay relaxed. This next bit might feel a little…weird.” The smile slipped from Grayson’s mouth and his eyes narrowed in concentration.

Unsure what was about to happen, I kept still, only jerking a little when those blue flames disappeared into my skin, burrowing deep and heading up my arms. I could see the glow, just below my skin until my clothing hid that light. What my eyes couldn’t track, my body could.

It was difficult to describe. It wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t cold either. Cool might be the best word, like the crisp chill of fall. That tingling went through my body. I’m not certain how I knew, but I was positive it was searching for something. I gasped when it found it.

Excitement… Joy… A wave of positive feelings rushed through me when Grayson’s magic found and touched mine. Like my branches reaching for the sun, my magic stretched, intertwining with Grayson’s fire. Time lost meaning as the two danced together. There was a tug and I felt Grayson call his magic back, only it didn’t go alone. A little piece of mine followed, buffered and cared for as it shifted through my body, heading back the way Grayson’s magic entered, and exiting through our connected palms. Grayson’s gasped smile when his magic returned, carrying a tiny guest, let me know my magic was just as welcome as his had been.

And just as I’d given up a small piece of my magic, a tiny speck of Grayson’s fire remained inside of me. It was welcomed with open arms and taken deep into my core, safely protected.

Grayson’s hands slid from mine until there was no more contact. My skin prickled at the loss. It would have been much worse if not for the flaming remnant left behind.

“That was…” Grayson slumped into his chair, his eyes barely open and, for all the world, appearing contentedly drugged. Licking his lips, Grayson continued. “That went better than I thought it might.”

Lifting his hands, Grayson turned them so he could see his palms. To my eyes, there was no visual sign regarding what had just happened. I don’t think Grayson could see anything either if the disappointment in his eyes was any indication.

“We’re connected now.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact. I probably hadn’t needed to say the words out loud, but they’d escaped anyway, as if I needed the verbal confirmation.

“That we are,” Grayson agreed.

Something occurred to me, something I should have considered earlier. “Is it permanent?” I wasn’t sure what answer I desired.

“I—” Grayson’s mouth slammed shut. “I’m not sure. I’m sorry. I should have thought of that earlier. I can always ask another⁠—”

“We’ll worry about it later.” I wasn’t sure I was worried at all, which in turn, worried me. It was an odd emotional position. “Do you want to try going into your wisp form?”

Grayson’s eyes gave a slow blink. He appeared to be on the brink of falling asleep. “Later. I don’t think I’ve got it in me to try right now.” Those words ended on a wide yawn. “My body’s shutting down.”

Panic spread fast and hot. “Shutting down?” That didn’t sound good. That sounded⁠—

“Sleep, Martin. My body needs sleep. That’s all I meant.”

“Oh.” My heart skipped a beat before slowing, my earlier panic dissipating. Clearing my throat, I asked, “Do you need help back to your room?”

“Nah.” Grayson shifted, bending his knees and pulling his feet into the chair. Twisting around, he managed to lay his head against the edge of the chair. The position didn’t exactly appear comfortable, and I was positive my body never would have been able to contort into such a tiny ball.

It seemed my opinion didn’t matter. Within less than a minute, Grayson’s breathing evened out, his lips slightly parted as he fell into a much-needed slumber.

Quietly rising, I found one of Keir’s afghans and draped it over Grayson’s small form. Looking at him like this, curled up in the fetal position, Grayson Delarue appeared small and fragile. Most will-o’-the-wisps were petite. Even the larger ones were considered smaller by most standards. Grayson had a few inches on pixies, but that wasn’t saying much.

I could have left. Keir’s personal quarters were safe enough to leave Grayson alone. Instead, I walked around the coffee table I’d been sitting on and settled in a chair across from Grayson. If I wasn’t tired enough to sleep, no one needed to know that but me.

I would sit and watch. I’d promised to keep Grayson safe, and if nothing else, I was a dryad of my word.

Nine

Grayson

Two days was long enough for me to regain my strength and stamina. Two days since I’d nearly killed myself. Two days since Martin and I’d bound our magic together. I could feel that bit of magic deep inside me. My own magic was oddly fond of that tiny substance. While minuscule, Martin’s magic had settled in well. For lack of a better word, it felt as if it had planted roots deep inside my soul. While my magic flittered about, Martin’s was a constant, solid presence.