“Sounds yummy. Do you import them here?”
“That particular item is owned by the Day Realm. Part of the treaty. But don’t worry, love. We claimed the waterfall mist.”
“What’s so special about that?”
“It’s the most refreshing drink I’ve ever had. It’s great for long days of travel, since it has extreme hydrating properties.” My heart feels a rare twinge because of the unending darkness stealing my vision. Quinn is still standing at the window, her fingers making soft sounds on the velvet curtains, and I wish I could see what she sees. “Describe the horizon for me. Please.”
She likes it when I’m polite. I don’t say please to anyone but her, and I’m not sure she realizes that. She doesn’t know how special she is to me, and that’s no one’s fault but my own.
I’ve spent so much time fighting this pull between us, but instead of trying to keep my distance, I should’ve been telling her how much I love her. How much she means to me.
The day she reached adulthood, I should’ve confessed my growing feelings.
Letting out a wistful sigh, she lifts the curtain a little more. “It’s like the sun is right there, below the mountains in the distance. If it were any higher, I think I’d be able to see a sliver of it. The clouds—they’re so bright, Kirian. They’re wispy and pink. They fade to purple as they get higher in the sky. The stars are still bright as ever, though. It’s like they won’t be outdone by daylight.”
Her vivid description triggers so many memories from my youth. I recall how beautiful the sky was during early morning sparring sessions with my father and other young soldiers in training.
“We’ll get about an hour of that twice a day,” I tell her. “You missed dusk last night because you were busy getting ready for the ball.”
Her mood sinks at the mention of yesterday, and some of her happiness drains away. She’s still peering out the glass when she says, “I need to know what happened.”
I scrub a hand down my face. “I never should’ve left you alone.”
She approaches the bed, stopping just a foot away from the mattress. “I want you to keep me in the loop. I know you, Kirian. Don’t you think I can tell when you’re keeping something from me?”
Sighing, I sit up and turn away, draping my legs over the side of the bed. I plant my feet on the floor as I hang my head.
I can’t get anything past Quinn. It’s been like that since she was a kid. But I don’t want to tell her the rest of the information Damon gave me—the witch said I would lose her.
When, where, or how is a mystery.
Witches like to leave out vital details. It’s what keeps us coming back, making deals, offering valuable possessions in return for snippets of information.
It’s one of the reasons I stopped dealing with them all those centuries ago. Even the kind-hearted ones love to play tricks. It’s just in their nature.
But this time, I can’t let my pride or my opinion get in the way. I need help. I can’t gamble with Quinn’s well-being. If Damon’s witch has answers, I’ll give her anything she requests.
A feather-light touch on my back makes me startle.
“Sorry,” Quinn quickly rushes out the apology when I jerk.
Fuck. I didn’t even hear her come up behind me on the bed, didn’t feel the mattress dip. I was so deep in thought I wasn’t paying attention.
Since Quinn’s been here, I’ve been off. Distracted.
In the best way, of course. All my senses are overloaded with her scent, the memory of our kiss, the way she makes my cock so hard it hurts.
I can’t let that keep happening. Being alert could save her life.
“I told you, you can touch me anytime you want.” I grunt, before honestly admitting, “Sometimes it just feels too good. You make me crazy, Quinn.”
Tentatively, she brushes her fingertips over my shoulder blades again, right over the invisible slit to one of my wings.
I hold in a shudder.
Just like a faerie’s ears, it’s a hypersensitive spot on the body. Touching me there is basically foreplay.
“It’s so impressive that those big wings are all tucked away in here,” Quinn whispers. Her breath tickles the back of my neck as she continues to caress my skin. “Do you just bring them out whenever you want?”
Nodding, I try to ignore the throbbing erection in my pants. “When I want to fly. Sometimes they’ll come out during a time of aggression, anger, or fear.”
“Like last night when you thought I was hurt.”
“Yes.” I dip my head again, and Quinn’s arms snake around me as she hugs me from behind.
“Talk to me, Kirian. Please.”
I can’t deny her. Even if what I say will be frightening, I have to give in.
“Damon told me something bad would happen to you,” I tell her, my voice gruff with emotion.
“Like what?”
“The fortune was vague, so I have no idea.”
She heaves out a sigh. “So, that’s why you’ve been a grumpy butt? Because you’re worried about me?”
She sounds relieved, which is odd, considering the unsettling information I just passed on.
I turn my head her way. “Yes. Why else would I be a grumpy butt?”
She giggles at my use of her words. “No reason.”
“Don’t lie to me. I can tell when you’re being secretive as well.” Reaching behind me with both hands, I tickle her ribs.
She laughs and wiggles, but I don’t let up until she says, “Fine, fine. Geez.”
Huffing, she presses the side of her face to mine as she bashfully explains her suspicions that I’d found something out about my fated mate.
“No.” Dropping my hand to her thigh, I rub her reassuringly.
