Page 24

NEVER

GAVREL

S eryn sucked in a quick inhale, and the muscle within my chest flipped. Finding your fated was nearly impossible, especially nowadays. Most mortals were starving, lost to the Stygian Murk, or worse.

Keethan patted Eliz’s hand. “Same, my love. We’re quite fortunate indeed.

” The taller man sighed wistfully and then lifted his chin.

“We’ve been part of the cause since the beginning.

Recruiting, espionage, you name it. We give the Somneia a run for their coins.

” He tapped his forefinger against his temple.

“It helps that our bond connects us. Mind, body, and ember, as they say.”

Seryn’s bottom lip dropped before she composed her look of fascination. “Excuse me if this is too bold, but I’m in awe of you. I’ve never met a fated pair before. At least, not that I know of. If you don’t mind me asking. Is it difficult to … to be so … connected?”

Eliz tittered, leaning into his partner as if Keethan were whispering something in his mind.

He very well could have been. “It was quite the shock, let me tell you. Over time, you get used to sharing the spaces within you. Learn how to manage it as well.” He smiled at Seryn.

“Boundaries, my dear. Always boundaries. We’re lucky in that we actually enjoy one another.

Other fated couples aren’t so lucky.” His eyebrows rose.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about Elder Harrow murdering her fated. ”

Seryn’s mouth pinched. “Ah, so the rumors are true? I suppose some consider having a khorda a weakness, even if you don’t undergo the Kollao Ceremony.”

Looking at his and Keethan’s joined hands, Eliz shook his head.

“I’m sure some view it that way. Melina surely must have, but I also heard tell that her fated was not a good male.

That’s neither here nor there, I suppose, considering the Elders are beyond salvation.

” Eliz’s chin lifted, his conviction flashing across his eyes.

“What others find to be a weakness, I see as a strength. Once we went through the ceremony, we were that much stronger. We were finally whole. If you fight the bond, it doesn’t disappear.

It’s simply stagnant. But once you accept it, it blooms, and then the ceremony helps it flourish.

” Keethan’s eyes softened as he looked at his partner.

I glanced at Seryn, my jaw ticking and fingers itching to take hold of her.

“When they met me, I was primed for recruitment. They didn’t even need to do their little mind talking tricks.” Rhaegar laughed. “We shared a meal and a pint, and we became fast friends over our fiendish dislike of injustice.”

Nodding, Keethan chuckled. “Joke’s on you, son.

We’re always doing the tricks, and always want to enjoy a pint.

” The older man thumped Rhaegar on the shoulder and then bobbed his head toward Seryn and me.

“Wonderful to meet you both. If Rhaegar calls you a friend, then we shall as well. You make a splendid pair.”

Seryn bit her bottom lip, and warmth swept over my chest. I didn’t correct him.

“Enjoy the Revelry.” Eliz wiggled his fingers as they moved along, hand in hand.

“They are lovely, Rhaegar. Thank you for the introduction. I would ask if you’d dance, but I respect my feet too much.” He laughed as a playful smile curved Seryn’s mouth, and I was unexpectedly tugged toward the dancefloor.

She guided us through the writhing throng of people. Bodies swayed and spun to the whimsical tunes spinning into the night.

Seryn stumbled, and I gripped her waist, fingers sinking into her soft curves as she grabbed my biceps to balance herself.

I licked my bottom lip, staring down at her, relishing the feel of her in my hands.

She was ethereal as the sputtering candlelight painted the dips and valleys of her face and chest.

Tortuously, she slid her palms over my arms, pausing at my shoulders, but then tilted her head and wrapped her hands behind my nape. Her fingertips teased the strands along my hairline. Wherever she touched, tingles swelled in currents, culminating at the base of my spine.

Her hips swayed, and my body followed as we moved within each other’s arms. Lilting music cocooned us, and I didn’t know if anyone was around us anymore or if I was dreaming.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she looked up at me from under them. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were shiny. I wanted to drag my teeth over her bottom lip to see if she tasted like mireberries.

Bittersweet.

If that didn’t bloody define our entire relationship, I didn’t know what did. My molars ground together, and I clamped my eyes closed.

Gently, her thumbs brushed over my scrunched eyebrows. “They’ll stay that way.” She sighed as my eyelids slowly opened, then slid her hands from my jaw down to my chest, letting them rest over my thumping heartbeat.

I was going to drown in her gaze if she kept looking at me like that. I drew her in closer, knowing I shouldn’t. But, once again, I succumbed to the pull, ignoring the many times my willpower had crumbled in her presence.

“Do you have regrets?” she murmured, her focus never leaving mine.

“Too many. ”

She glanced to the side, rubbing her lips together before looking up at me. “Us? Do you … do you regret what happened between us?”

Her face crumpled, and I frowned. I’m a fucking blighter . Two turns ago, I’d made damned certain that she believed we were a mistake when we were anything but. Disgusted with myself, I roughly dragged one hand through my hair.

Before I could withdraw, her fingers dug into my tunic. “Don’t you dare.”

“I—”

A lively tune began and cut my words short. Spiritedly, people bounced and stomped around us. I scowled at the interruption, whipping my arm around Seryn and towing us through the throng.

As we reached the end of the crowd, I grabbed her hand and pulled her past Breena, whose hair was mussed as she left a secluded shop at the edge of the main area. Behind her, Marek was slinking off in the other direction.

“Ryn?” Breena called after us, but I didn’t stop to give Seryn a chance to respond.

Her hand tightened within mine. I kept moving, trudging across a quiet side bridge, ignoring her. A rabid frenzy of anger and lust and disgust was fueling me, taking over my better senses.

“Gavrel!”

Instantly, I paused, and she bumped into my side. I spun, gathering her close so she wouldn’t fall, and she braced her hands against my chest.

She swatted at some strands tickling her cheek as she stepped out of my embrace, narrowing her eyes. My shoulders fell, and I took a deep breath and then held out my hand. My pulse still rapped against my ribs, but more evenly now.

She sighed and placed her hand in mine. Just beyond the bridge, I led us up a secluded, winding staircase. The stairs led to nowhere. Only some worn wood planks of a dilapidated platform remained of what I guessed was once a home.

Facing the swamp, we reached a hidden spot behind the massive trunk. We were both breathing hard as I let go of her hand and backed her up against the smooth bark.

Her breasts heaved, threatening to spill from the sheer fabric clinging to her cleavage. The strings of light flickered from below, a soft amber radiance dancing over her face. The notes of a hauntingly beautiful song began to play, and her eyes widened at the familiar ballad.

There it shall linger,

In the void where shadows creep.

Beyond Nether,

The nightmares decay sleep.

“Is that Fated ? My humming song? Isn’t that odd?” she whispered breathlessly.

My jaw ticked, and I braced one hand above her head, hoping to steady the energy buzzing through every limb.

Here you’ll find me,

In the withering mist between trees.

Among shattered

Hopes and phantom breeze.

“Not particularly. It’s from here.” There wasn’t much heat in my words, the melancholy lilt of the song wrapping around us, binding us.

Her eyes drifted closed. Muted words, suspended on the melody that had captivated her in Surrelia, flitted around us.

There, I’ll find you,

In the blooming embers of your dreams.

Fated promises,

Sealed in moonbeams .

It seemed a lifetime ago when I’d gone to Seryn at the ball, drawn to her then like a faraway dream.

I’d watched all these turns as if she were a mirage I could never really touch.

Had to stand by as others touched her. As my brother touched her.

I loved him, and I didn’t want him to suffer the heartbreak, but she was never his.

Not really. Bitterness scratched deep within my throat as I forced the thought of Kaden away.

Our prolonged separation had gnawed at my resolve, and I was at the precipice of my patience. I couldn’t tell her all I yearned to, but I could show her. My lips tucked between my teeth. Keeping her at arm’s length wouldn’t keep her safe any longer. And she was so damn strong.

Fierce.

Magnificent.

And I didn’t just want her to be a dream any longer.

Because I wasn’t fucking dreaming, and no one was going to touch her like I would for the rest of our days.

She was mine .

I leaned into her. My nose brushed her temple, and her rapid breaths fluttered against the base of my throat, errant curls tickling my skin at the open V of my tunic.

I wrapped my other hand below her jaw and around the side of her neck. Her skin was hot against mine. Her energy prickling under my touch.

“Ask me again,” I demanded.

“The song?”

A low, frustrated sound resonated in my chest. She whimpered, grabbing my wrist. Radiance sparked under my tattoo.

I shifted, putting my face above hers, and I slid my hand along her jaw, cradling her chin between my thumb and forefinger.

Her lips parted, eyes searching mine.

My cock strained against my breeches. I was at the end of my restraint.

Her dress glittered like the fallen star she was.

My fallen star .

Mine.

“Ask. Again.”

“Do you regret … us?” Her voice trembled, and her pulse tapped frantically against my fingertips. Her aura materialized and quivered delicately around her in fractured, multicolored hues.

“Never,” I growled and crushed my lips into hers, light bursting from my rune.