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Oh gods—I really didn’t need to be thinking about Sebastian’s body right now. What was wrong with me?

I focused my attention back on Crispin. On hisface. “What’s wrong?”

He seemed almost a little embarrassed. “I was going to ask you the same question. I heard groaning, and I felt—” he cut himself off. “I thought maybe you were sick—or something.”

I hoped in the darkness my blush wouldn’t show, but he seemed to pick up on it regardless as his expression changed. “Ah, I apologize for interrupting.”

“You weren’t interrupting anything!” I blurted. “I just had a strange dream.”

And it wasn’t the first time I had dreamed about Sebastian. That first time, I wondered if he had done some sort of magic just to mess with me, but this time… I didn’t think it was the case. He had kissed me in real life on multiple occasions, and never tried to push it further.

Nope,Iwas the one having all ofthosethoughts.

Crispin’s expression shifted again. He seemed almost worried.

“What is it?” I asked.

His brow crinkled further. “Do you mind if I try something?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Depends on what that something is.”

“Can you please just trust me?”

I thought about it for a moment, then nodded,realizing that I did trust Crispin. He stepped closer, and I forced myself to remain still.

One of his hands went to my waist, gripping through my baggy shirt, and with me already all riled from my dream, warmth prickled between us instantly. He gently pulled me closer, and I stayed perfectly still as he lowered his lips to mine.

He kissed me, and I was overwhelmed with the scent of springtime. Fresh leaves, clear running water, a breeze scented with moisture.

When I didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss. My stomach did a little flip, like going down in a roller coaster, and suddenly his hands were beneath the edge of my shirt, touching my bare skin. Nothing terribly inappropriate, but his bare hands on me pulling me against him made my thoughts swim.

I broke the kiss, pulling back enough to look into his eyes, both of us panting. “Crispin—”

“The thread is still there. Not just between you and the others, but between the two of us too.”

“I know,” I breathed.

His hands were still on me, his fingers absentmindedly running across my bare back. He seemed to realize what he was doing and abruptly yanked them away. “I apologize. I just… wanted to test it.”

I balled my hands into fists at my side, once again going very still. Because if I didn’t do that, I was going to go to him. For the thousandth time, what the hell was wrong with me?

“And did you learn anything?”

He managed a small smile. “It means, dear Eva, that we are all in entirely over our heads.”

I smiled back. He just had that effect on me. Even as I was resisting licking his chest. “Tell me about it.”