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The tether pulsed as he reached for me, cupped my chin, and guided my gaze to his. “Is everything okay?”

I breathed, just breathed, soaking him in, the perfection of his fae face shaking me to the core. “My light is getting more intense.”

His fingers traced down my arm, finding my hand, my skin still hot. His touch was cool as he weaved his fingers through mine. “We’ll figure it out.”

I calmed at his touch, and the light began to ebb. “This is so frustrating.”

He leaned closer, our foreheads touching. “I know.”

“After our time in Gloom, I thought I was recovered, taking care of myself. But since we’ve left, everything’s been so intense, and… Zayne, I’m afraid of losing control.”

The scent of him filled my lungs, and my breath hitched with the memory of him on top of me, stroking me between the legs, his mouth on my lips, another hand tight on my breast.

“You didn’t lose control last night,” he whispered in my ear.

“Maybe,” I considered. “But I’m always safe around you.”

Leaning in, I kissed him. His lips parted with the promise of more. Arousal pooled anew in my belly, further fed by the desire streaming from his side of the tether.

“We’ve almost reached the Isle of Dusk,” he whispered against my mouth.

“I figured.”

Still, my fingers trailed his skin. It felt too good to be near him, and I never wanted to let him go. I clung to our connection like a lifeline in a storm. His fingers traced the back of my spine, and I leaned into his embrace, soaking it in.

Too soon, Vanessa’s voice resonated throughout the ship. “Not to interrupt, but we’re nearly there. Where should I anchor?”

I hugged him a little tighter, hating the inevitable. He kissed me one more time and let me go.

“Tonight?” I asked, sliding on a boot. “We’ll pick up where we left off?”

“Tonight,” he agreed, kneeling before me. Taking the laces of my shoe, he tied them up. Leaning forward, he kissed my thigh. “Tonight, I’ll give you everything you want. And more.”

Chapter sixteen

The Black Beach

Ayla

I stumbled on the rocks, shifting my footing to find a stronger stance on the rocky black beach of Dusk. Zayne had just shadow-stepped us here.

This far north, the isle turned to desert, and the beach that drew Zayne’s attention was particularly derelict. The flat earth yawned before us, an expanse of flat black rocks filling the horizon. Behind us, the ocean roared, waves crashing against the slate. Other than the faint glow of Vanessa perched upon theUmbral Starout at sea, there was not a living thing in sight.

Ninti took a few steps inland, avoiding the spray that hissed against her fur. Still in her dog form, she bounded off before quickly circling back to us. Her haunches were raised. “I don’t like this place.”

“Agreed.”

This wasn’t safe. Not with the way it made my skin crawl.

Zayne’s gaze grew distant, evaluating from the Underworld, and my senses heightened in reply. “That way,” he pointed.

Ninti’s flames sharpened, but she said nothing.

“The shard’s definitely here,” he continued. “But it’s underground. I think it’s a vault.”

Ninti growled.

“A vault?” I asked.