Page 61

Another Day, Another Mirror

I speed up so I’m almost running. Then skid to a halt.

In front of me is a tall mirror.

There’s a noise behind me and this time, I know it’s not my imagination. Okay, if I’m being honest, I knew last time as well. I could have stopped, given up, gone back. But I hadn’t.

I guess that means that maybe I trust Khaosti after all.

He steps out into the open and my heart suddenly feels all tight and full. A smile tugs at my lips. I force it back.

“You followed me,” I say.

He stalks toward me. I take a closer look at his face and realize he looks super-pissed off. “You left me,” he snarls. “You used me. You told me you loved me, then you fucking left me.”

I frown. “You heard that?”

“Yes, I heard that. I thought it was a beautiful dream, but I know it was real. Tell me it wasn’t true.”

I shake my head. I won’t lie to him. Besides, part of me—most of me—wants him to know how I feel.

“I thought so,” he says. “Story of my fucking life. They love me and they fucking leave me.”

“I was going to come back.” Hopefully.

He doesn’t answer, and I use the opportunity to take him in—all of him. He’s glorious: long and lean, all dressed in black, with a sword at his back. He looks like the warrior I know he is. And he came for me. Again. I drag my gaze from his body back to his face. He’s staring back at me, deep, burning hunger in his eyes. He takes a step toward me, and then I’m flying through the air at him. Within seconds, I’m in his arms and we’re kissing.

I grip his shoulders as his hands grip my ass, pulling me against him. My body burns for him. My heart is racing. I need air, but I can’t face letting him go. It was so hard to walk away the first time. I don’t think I have the strength to do it again.

But finally, I have to breathe, and I step back gasping. I draw in a long deep breath and then release it. Then I do it again, to give myself time to think about my next move. I take a step back, but he grabs my hand so I can’t go far. It’s as though he’s afraid I’ll vanish.

Maybe it’s time to trust him. If I’m wrong, it’s over. But what are my options? I could draw my sword and chop his head off. But I doubt he’d just stand there and let me and besides, he’s a way better swordsman than me. Likely it would be my head rolling in the sand.

I suppose I could ask him to go away. Nicely of course. But I suspect it’s unlikely he’d comply.

His thumb moves against my captured hand, stroking circles on my skin and I drag myself from my thoughts. He’s looking over my shoulder, a frown on his face.

“Is that Lucifer’s Mirror?” he asks.

“I wish.” Because that would simplify things so much. Unfortunately, it isn’t Lucifer’s. It’s my mother’s. She left it here for me. Because I need it to get to where I’m going.

“Amber?”

It’s now or never. I have to make a decision. But I know that the decision has already been made.

“No,” I reply. “But it will take me to where the mirror is hidden.”

He looks away while he computes that. I see the moment he realizes what it means. “All mirrors take you to the chamber. The chamber in my father’s kingdom.”

I nod. I can’t disagree with that. Well, I could. Of course there are exceptions—Lucifer’s Mirror for one. Though Khaosti isn’t aware of that.

His eyes narrow. “My father has been hunting you, and now you just plan to make a little visit to his home?” I don’t say anything, and he shakes his head in disbelief. “And you were going alone? Are you totally deluded?”

Possibly. About a lot of things. But not about this. “It will be a quick in and out. No one will even know I’m there.” It’s true. I have a spell that will send the mirror to a new location. I’ve already decided where. It should be safe until it’s needed. I could have left it where it is, but while I’m putting on a confident front for Khaosti, I really don’t like the idea of going anywhere near his father. I want the mirror somewhere I can get to easily when the time comes to use it.

Which isn’t far off.

I’ve seen the state of Valandria and the suffering of Thanouq’s people. I can’t put this off much longer. I just need a little… preparation. Anyway, my point is—I want the mirror moved somewhere more easily accessible.

“So just wait for me here,” I suggest. “And I’ll be back before you can say—”

“Totally fucking deluded,” Khaosti interrupts me. “If you think I’m going to allow you to go alone, you are dead wrong.”

Something inside me relaxes at his words, some tension I hadn’t even known I was holding in. The truth is, I’ve felt so alone for most of my life—at least since I was four years old and Hecate sent me to safety in the care of one of the guardians. They were good to me, but with the exception of Khendril—who had been the last—they treated me as something to be trained and protected. Not loved. Khendril had been different, but by that point, I’d gotten used to losing my guardians, and I’d always known in the back of my mind that Khendril would be no different. I had always held Zayne at arm’s length because I’d known deep down that one day I would walk away and return to my old life. Now, the idea that Khaosti wants to be by my side just melts me. I’m not ashamed to admit that having someone to watch out for me over there will be a relief. I’m hoping this will all go smoothly, but just in case…

“I’m not dead wrong,” I say, and the tension slides from his shoulders.

He looks from me to the mirror behind me and back. “Your mother placed this here.”

“Yes. And she imprinted the memory in my mind along with the location of Lucifer’s Mirror.”

“Where is it? I presume you know which mirror to go through to get to where you need to be.”

“I don’t need to go through another. Lucifer’s Mirror is hidden in the chamber.”

His eyes widen. “What?”

“Yup. Hidden in plain sight. How neat is that?”

“So you plan to go to the chamber and steal a mirror right out from under my father’s nose.”

“Hardly under his nose.” At least I hope his nose and the rest of his body parts are nowhere near me. “And hardly stealing. It’s mine.”

He snorts. “I thought it was Lucifer’s?”

I shrug. “It’s complicated.” I think for a moment. “We came through the chamber okay when we traveled to Valandria,” I point out.

“We were almost caught.”

“But we weren’t. And I know exactly where I need to go. I’ll be in and out before you can say… werewolf.”

He scowls and shakes his head again, but I think I see a flicker of resignation on his face.

“Come on, Khaosti. This is what you saved me to do. This is what your brother trained me for. Don’t stand in my way now. Help me.”

He closes his eyes. When he opens them, he gives a nod. “But when we’re there,” he says, “you do exactly as I tell you. If I say run, you run.” He stares me in the eyes. “Understand.”

“Yes, sir.” I give him a mock salute, and he scowls.

“Don’t joke about this. My father is…” He seems at a loss for words. Maybe he doesn’t want to badmouth his dad. “My father does not like losing. And he’s a powerful man.”

He’s right. But I feel sort of lighthearted right now. I hadn’t admitted it to myself, but underneath, I was scared. Now, with Khaosti by my side, I feel like I can do anything. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be flippant. I’ll do what you say.”

I’m not completely sure I’m telling the truth. But mostly.

I turn back to face the mirror. It looks so ordinary. Full length, with a plain gold frame. But when I step closer, the glass ripples.

“When do you want to do this?” Khaosti asks.

I look at him and consider putting it off just a little. Maybe he sees something in my gaze as a slow, sexy smile curves his lips. Warmth curls in my belly, and I lean toward him.

But no. It has to be done.

We could be there and back in ten minutes if it all goes smoothly. Then we can spend time together without this hanging over me. I give myself a little shake.

“Now,” I say.

He sighs but doesn’t argue.

I step toward the mirror, but he stops me with a hand on my arm. “I’ll go first,” he says. “Give me ten seconds. Then follow.”

I want to argue, but I don’t. Because he’s got this intractable, this-isn’t-open-for-discussion expression on his face. “Okay.”

I think I’ve surprised him again. He leans toward me and gives me a hard kiss on the mouth. Then he straightens and, without another word, steps through the mirror.

And just like magic, he’s gone.