Page 92 of First Offense

I never did.

Nor would I now.

I also had complete control over my plumes—a necessary learning from my childhood—and wouldn’t allow any of them to shift to metal beneath her delicate hand. Instead, they remained comforting and plush, allowing her to hold on as tight and for as long as she desired.

It seemed rather perfect to have her between us like this, with his body protecting her back and mine guarding her front. I only wished I could shift a little closer, perhaps slip my thigh between hers.

Now it was my turn to sigh. Because I couldn’t do what I wanted. Not yet. I needed her to ask for it first. I might favor cruelty and live for blood, but I would never force a woman.

Seduce, yes.

Demand, no.

And this seductive dance with Layla required a little more time. Some trust, too. It also included Auric, which was a very different sort of complication. Sharing had never been our problem. But until Auric decided to claim her, we would be at a standstill.

I admired his ethics, just as I respected his loyalty. I wouldn’t push him. Not too hard, anyway.

I studied his chiseled jaw and nearly reached out to brush his long white strands from his cheek. But I didn’t want to wake him. He, too, appeared peaceful. Such an interesting look for him. He rarely ever exuded calmness, his penchant for control resolute.

I like this look on you,I thought, admiring him.It reminds me of another time. Another day. Another fate.

Scrutinizing him now, recalling everything he’d said, I knew he wasn’t lying. He’d never set us up to fail. Sefid had. The king. I still wasn’t sure why. What had he been hoping to gain by that rogue Noir’s death? Why allow the Nora to torment that female? What value did they hold for him?

I’d never really analyzed that event for more than what it was—just a male trying to save his mate. But knowing now that the order for the assassination had come from King Sefid himself had me reviewing every detail all over again.

I’d missed something important.

Something pertinent to my Fall, and those of Zian and Sorin.

It would come to me soon—my mind had a natural way of picking apart strategies and finding the heart of the issue. It was how I’d ascertained Sayir’s plans to build an army. He hadn’t precisely said that to Raven, but I knew it to be true nonetheless.

The question became: How did he plan to use that army? And why was Layla the key to it all?

I took in her beautiful face, my lips curling at her still-parted lips. How I longed to lean forward and slip my tongue inside to taste hers.

And later, I’d guide her down my body to another part of me that yearned for the cavern of her mouth or the cradle between her thighs.

Her body seemed to vibrate in approval, almost as though she could sense my thoughts. Maybe she even dreamt of them.

I smiled at the prospect, then froze as a subtle rumble came from her chest. Not a growl or a snarl. Not even a snore. But apurr.

There and gone in a second, leaving me to wonder if I’d imagined it.

Then a subtle flare of feathers drew my focus back to Auric, where he stared at me with his shrewd gaze.

Had the purr woken him? Or had he been the source of the sound?

I was already aroused, leaving me unable to discern if Layla had released a mating call or if it had been something else entirely.

Auric looked down to where her fingers clutched my wings, then slowly returned his gaze to mine.

I challenged him with a cocked brow.

He merely tightened his hold around her waist.

She moaned a little, her body reacting to the warring energy shrouding her petite form. But no purr. Not even a subtle rumble.

Maybe I’d imagined it. Purring mates were a fantasy few males ever experienced.