It was slow moving, but it was working. I don’t know how long I sat there whispering into the air; it was easy to lose track of time when it came to magic. After a while, though, I felt my incantations fall flat. I opened my eyes, reaching my awareness across the bridge. As far as I could tell, there was no more magic to be dealt with.
Myrcedes reappeared next to me, a tired smile on her face. “I didn’t sense any more magic. Can you?”
“No,” I shook my head. “I believe we got all of it.”
She looked so relieved and had a contented smile on her face. For a moment, I felt the urge to smile back, but I resisted, feeling something steel over. “Do you have any other errands for me, or may I return to the castle now?”
My reply clearly shocked her. I wondered if that had been the incorrect way to phrase it, but I got my answer almost immediately. I watched her face distort from confusion into a full fury, her brows knitting together and her lips pursing.
“If I could have achieved this without your help, I would have. I’m trying to save my world, my home, from the chaos caused by your Queen. I’m so sorry that it was an inconvenience for you!”
So maybe I had been a bit too rude. “Myrcedes-”
“No, you know what? I’m done with this,” she laughed darkly. “I don’t understand what I did wrong. You have treated me like some absolute idiot since the day you walked into the castle to find the Kings. I’ve been nothing but nice, respectful. I forced the gargoyles to listen to you when they would rather have torn you apart, I put up with your rude comments insinuating I was nothing more than some whore of Daath’s, and I saved your life! I haven’t done anything to you, and I’m done with this treatment. Get your ass back to the castle, go back to the freaking fae realm for all I care!”
I watched her tone escalate and clenched both my jaw and my fists, digging my nails into my palms. When she finished, I stayed silent and didn’t say anything, remembering the events she’d mentioned. I remembered the day I marched into the castle, demanding to speak with the Kings, and she was there. I’d heard of her, of course, she was the crux of Minerva’s entire plan. But when I saw her, I was shocked by how beautiful she really was. There had always been something just a bit otherworldly about her to me. The moment I saw such a gorgeous creature and realized who she was, it felt like my only option was to reduce her in my mind to nothing more than some concubine.
“Myrcedes,” I repeated her name, my voice softer this time. That gave her pause. “I apologize. I have been cold.”
She looked shocked. “Yes… you have. Why?”
“That doesn’t matter-”
“Yes, it does.” I realized as I looked into her eyes that I had been avoiding eye contact with her all day. Her silver eyes caught the light, and I could have sworn they were glowing.
“I…” I didn’t know what to say. I could practically see my reflection in those eyes, and it drained all of my senses. “Myrcedes…”
Before I could give it too much thought, I pulled her close to me and kissed her hard, snaking a hand through her hair. It was just as soft as I’d imagined. Terror flashed through my mind as I wondered if I had crossed a boundary, so I let go of the beautiful woman before me and pulled away.
The expression on her face was one of shock, but I only saw it for a second before she grabbed me and pulled me back in, wrapping an arm around my neck to lock me against her. I held her face in my hands, stroking her cheek with my thumb. I couldn’t remember the last time I had done something like this, but it felt like a brand new experience. I could feel her power emanating from her, and it expanded as she kissed me, surrounding me, pulling me closer to her.
“Myrcedes.” I moaned her name in between kisses and slid my hand down to wrap around her waist. A shudder went down my spine as I circled my fingers along the exposed patch of skin between her top and her pants, suddenly feeling thankful for that leather outfit she loved so much. “You’re the most stunning creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
She smiled, and I felt her hand on my waist, sliding up my shirt to rest against my bare chest.
“Myrcedes,” I repeated her name. “I want you. I’ve wanted you since I saw you in that damn palace.”
“You want me?” I felt her energy grow, and the surrounding air heated up slightly.
“Yes.” I leaned my forehead against hers, stroking her hair. “I want you.”
“Good,” she purred. My stomach felt like it was doing acrobatics, and before I knew what was happening, darkness swallowed us and then placed us in a small bedroom that I assumed was in her apartment.
She grabbed the bottom of my sweater and pulled it off and kissed me hard again, her tongue exploring my mouth. Once it was off, I grabbed the zipper on her leather vest and pulled it off, revealing a black lace bra that suited her like it was made for her. I kissed her hard and slid one of my hands up her back, grabbing a handful of her hair, gently so as not to hurt her.
I grabbed one of her breasts with my free hand and shivered as
