Page 75

He gives me an indulgent look. “I know how your conniving mind works, Madinia Farrow. You were hoping to take as much pleasure as you could tonight and then never think of me again.”

I tense, but he doesn’t sound angry or irritated. No, he soundsamused. And that’s worse.

“And what is it you think will happen instead?” My tone is icy, and he lets out a low, pleased laugh.

“I think you’ll come to me when you no longer want to fight this thing between us. And tonight will be just a shadow of the pleasure I’ll give you.”

Madinia

I wake to the feel of Calysian’s arm clamped around me. I tense, and he merely pulls me closer, then loosens his arm just enough for me to twist to face him.

Pushing against his chest, I look up into amused dark eyes. Tiny flecks of gold shimmer within them, and I go still, momentarily entranced.

“Good morning.” His voice is rough, intimate.

Too intimate.

When I look at him, I can feel the remnants of lust burning within me even now. I can feel the ghost of the desperation that made me come so close to begging.

“Release me.” The words are cold, my tone even colder. Calysian’s eyes turn flat, and he gives me an empty, lifeless smile.

Something in my chest wrenches. I instantly want to take the words back. But his hands have already loosened. And the gold has disappeared from his eyes.

Pulling one of the blankets free, I wrap it around me, ignoring his considering expression as he watches me. Within moments, I’ve gathered my clothes and disappeared behind a clump of warped trees where I dress.

“That was poorly done,” a male voice says, and I jolt, cursing as Eamonn lands on the branch closest to my head.

I slap my tunic to my bare breasts. “Go away.”

The bird lets out a strange sound. “Please. I’ve seen better. I’vetouchedbetter.”

Turning my back, I shove the tunic over my head. “Is that so? And how long ago was that?”

Silence.

I regret the words as soon as I’ve said them.

“Does it help?” Eamonn asks, his voice carefully neutral.

“Does what help?”

“Pushing away anyone you might grow to care about. Does it help you feel less pain when theydoleave?”

Pain scours my chest, and I yank my leggings up over my thighs. “I suppose I’ll let you know when Calysian gets his grimoire.”

My voice is empty, and Eamonn doesn’t say another word. A flap of wings, and he’s gone.

I give myself a few moments to wallow, but I can’t indulge myself for long. My skin prickles with the haunting feel of dark power, so close, sofamiliar, it makes my head spin.

My boots are still damp, and I cringe as I pull them on, before making my way back to the small clearing. Calysian has already packed up our camp, and I open my mouth to thank him, but he’s stalking toward me.

“You can feel the grimoire,” I say. It’s evident in the restless way he moves, the way he sweeps his gaze over the tree line, as if he’s listening to something only he can hear.

“Yes. You can feel it, can’t you?” His voice is low, edged with something dark. “The power.”

I don’t bother lying. “Yes. Yes, I feel it too.”

He nods slowly, but his head is angled in that strange way that warns me of his true nature.