Page 74 of Night Fae

"You are," Malik whispered fiercely, his hand finding purchase on Zev's chest, feeling the rapid beat of the fae's heart beneath his palm. "You are."

Something broke in Zev's expression—resistance crumbling into raw need. His hand shot up, fingers tangling in Malik's hair, gripping almost painfully tight as he pulled Malik toward him.

This wasn't like the previous kisses—not the gentle contact when Zev had entered his dreams, not the hungry feeding when he'd drawn on Malik's power. This was different. This was wanting.

Malik didn't know how to process that. He didn't think Zev wanted him. He didn't think…

He didn't think at all as Zev's tongue swiped his lips.

He gasped against Zev's mouth, and Zev took advantage, deepening the kiss with a low sound that might have been a growl. His other arm snaked around Malik's waist, pulling him flush against the hard planes of his body.

The world narrowed to sensation—the firmness of Zev's muscles, the taste of night air and something distinctly fae on his tongue, the impossible heat radiating between them. Malik's knees threatened to buckle, but Zev held him upright, pressing him back until Malik's shoulders met the cold stone wall.

The contrast of temperatures—Zev's burning heat against his front, the chill of stone against his back—sent a shiver racing down Malik's spine.

Zev broke the kiss, his breathing ragged as he stared down at Malik with eyes that glowed like violet stars in the growing darkness.

"You're still weak," Zev whispered against his lips, though his actions contradicted his concern as he pressed Malik harder against the wall.

"I don't care." Malik's fingers curled into the fabric of Zev's shirt, anchoring himself to the fae warrior. "Let me give you one good memory. Something for you to come back to."

CHAPTER 15

Zev didn’t speak. He just stared at Malik, his breath still uneven from the kiss. The air between them felt thinner than it should have. Every movement felt loud.

Malik’s hand remained pressed against his chest. His skin was warm beneath Malik's fingertips, even through layers of clothing.

Malik swallowed thickly. "Please. I?—"

The rest disappeared into a gasp as Zev's mouth claimed his once more—fierce, demanding, claiming. Malik melted into his kiss, opening for him.

The world tilted, and suddenly Malik found himself lifted into strong arms, carried to the bed, where Zev lowered him onto the sheets. He hovered over Malik, eyes still glowing faintly. A stray lock of dark hair fell over his brow. It made him appear softer, more vulnerable, than his usual cold façade.

Malik reached up to brush it back.

For an instant, Zev froze. Then he caught Malik's wrist in a firm grip, pinning his hand to the mattress beside his head.

Malik shivered at his strength, at the possessiveness with which Zev covered his body. He'd fantasized so many times about what being with Zev would be like—about what it would feel like to have that lean body above his, pinning him to the mattress.

He'd never thought he'd get to experience that for real. Never imagined it could happen.

Yet here they were, with Zev staring down at him, expression torn between desire and something deeper. Something darker.

"I don't know what it is about you," he said roughly. "I can't stay away."

A loaded truth, spoken easily as only a fae could.

"Is it my taste?" Malik half-teased.

"Yes," Zev murmured. His free hand traced the curve of Malik's throat, the line of his jaw. The touch was surprisingly tender, considering the hunger burning within the depths of his eyes. "But also something else. Something... beyond that."

Beyond the taste?

What else was there?

Zev leaned close, his mouth trailing along the line of Malik's pulse. "It's the promise of power that whispers to me when I'm near you. And also..." He stopped as if he could not find the words for what he wanted to describe.

Malik understood, though. There was something between the two of them. A faint hum of magic that even he could feel. Thatconnection that had sparked to life to allow Zev to drain his energy so easily.