Page 31 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

Meara

M eara didn’t remember the walk back. Fae ale ran through her blood, relaxing her and filling her with a fizzing energy. Not unlike the faerie wine, but this was comforting, grounding. She liked it a lot. All her worries fell away.

She found herself lingering in the hall, unwilling to go back to her rooms. Brenna disappeared, unable to keep her eyes open.

Meara wandered until her feet led to the veranda, the same one she lost her humanity in.

She felt further removed from that life than ever before, especially with a contended warmth buzzing within her.

She settled against a pile of pillows and gazed over the lake where a million stars reflected, glittering and winking as the water moved. Absently, her finger traced up her ear, trying to remember what it felt like rounded. She was forgetting what being human felt like.

“May I ask what that keen mind is contemplating?” Cerne asked, standing in the archway.

“No, you may not,” Meara responded, her difficult attitude overriding her manners. Something about this male shattered her sensibilities. His casual confidence irritated her. She had never felt that self-possessed in her entire life, and he wore it like a second skin.

He ignored her prickly demeanor and sat beside her. “Regardless, you owe me a truth or tale,” he said, one side of his mouth quirking in a lopsided smile.

“I couldn’t think of anything,” she protested.

He shifted in his seat to face her. “No adventurous stories or humorous anecdotes from your life before you met me? Thank fate we found you and rescued you from a life of boredom.”

She scoffed. “That reminds me. Here is my truth or tale: I once met a handsome rake in the woods who dragged me away to his home and incessantly bothered me, wanting to be entertained.”

Cerne’s laugh rolled over her, wearing away at her defenses until a smile bloomed on her face.

He shoved his fingers through his hair and brushed it back.

Her gaze lingered on his dark lashes and the cut of his cheekbone.

Moonlight pooled on his features. From his demeanor to his beauty, everything about him spoke of magic. She could almost see it under his skin.

“What is bothering you?” Cerne said, his voice dropping. Her eyes tracked his movement as his hand rose and his thumb brushed over her furrowed brows. Instinctively, she relaxed her features. His hand skimmed her cheek as it dropped.

“Nothing. ”

“Do not tell me tales now. The game is over.” His sincere plea pierced her, layering guilt over her feelings of inadequacy.

“You don’t have to concern yourself with my problems.”

“Don’t I?”

She scowled, and the feeling of her brow wrinkling reminded her of his touch. She intentionally released the tension in her face.

“I meant my worries and emotions. I understand your jurisdiction over my possible magic.”

He nodded, turning to look out over the moonlit treetops. She took the opportunity to study the line of his jaw under his close shorn beard, far too aware of each breath he took. It was the first time they were alone together since that day in the forest.

Silence stretched, and the urge to share more with him built until she spoke. “I wish I could figure out my magic. It’s the unknown that bothers me.” Cerne stilled. “But I’m afraid of what I’ll find. I’ve always protected Brenna, and now she is the one protecting me. Nothing is as it should be.”

“Ah.” Cerne tipped his chin up. “There is more than one way to protect the ones we love. She might have the firepower ,” he said, smirking at his own wordplay, “but she still needs you.”

She pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her final confession. “I feel powerless.”

He turned, irises of umber and evergreen meeting hers. “No one could look at you and think you are powerless.”

A laugh burst from her. “I don’t think anyone else sees it that way.”

“Then they aren’t paying attention,” he whispered.

She parted her lips to thank him, but his hand swept up and skimmed her cheek.

It was the lightest touch, but it reverberated through her.

They were a breath’s width apart, and she didn’t know if he had moved closer or if she had.

Gravity had shifted and a heavy weight pulled her into him, and her muscles ached at the effort to keep herself from collapsing into his chest and burying her face in the crook of his neck.

He would be so warm and comforting. His body heat teased the exposed skin of her arms.

His hand turned, brushing his knuckles over her jaw. No male touched a female this gently, stared into her eyes, leaned in this way without wanting more. And she found she wanted the same. Every cell of her body yearned, but she was frozen, afraid to move and break the spell.

Her tongue wet her lips, and his pupils flared. It sent a thrill through her, one she tried to ignore, but it was no use. “If you’d like to kiss me, I wouldn’t push you away.” The scratch to her voice betrayed her nonchalant words.

“Really?” His sensuous lips pulled into that smirk that made her want to smack him and yank him into her all at once. He delighted in the moment, his eyes sparkling as they roamed over her.

She should move away, cut her losses and save herself the embarrassment that was surely waiting for her when he laughed at her. Shame crept up her neck, heating her skin. Swallowing, she leaned back, her dark lashes flicking down.

Calloused fingers slid in her hair, pressing into the back of her neck and firmly guiding her forward. Her gaze shot up and she spied a tiny constellation of freckles above his brow before her eyes closed and his lips met hers.

She froze as he brushed his lips over hers, kissing her again before the first one ended, pressing harder until her mouth opened and she moved her lips against his, melting into him.

A cold fire ran through her veins, an icy sting. Her blood sang and her heart pounded. His hand trailed from her hair across her neck and over her collarbone. She was sure he was painting her with moonlight.

Her hand reached for his shirt, twisting the linen against her palm.

His skin radiated heat that soaked into her as she drew closer.

It was all the encouragement he needed. His hands closed over her waist, lifting her into his lap until she straddled him.

Their breaths competed, chests rising and falling as they pressed together.

Her hand moved from his shoulder to grip the lowest spike of one antler.

He let out a feral growl at the touch. She broke off their kiss with a gasp, her eyes wide as she leaned back to study his face as her hand slipped down to rest against her thigh.

His lips curved into a satisfied smile. Around him, there was nothing but darkness.

Jolting, she twisted. Darkness blanketed the veranda, and as her lips parted in shock, the blackness swirled, lapping at her legs.

“What?” she yelped. This wasn’t the absence of light, like shadows, but something fluid that absorbed the flickering flames and sparkling starlight.

It seemed if she touched it, it would have a velvety texture.

“Ah, it looks like you’ve discovered your craft,” Cerne said, his lips brushing below her ear as he spoke. The words processed in her mind and she began breathing again.

“This is me?” she asked shakily.

“Relax and it’ll fade,” Cerne prompted. “Probably.” He tucked her against his chest, smoothing his hand over her hair until her tension ebbed. As the charge in her veins lessened, replaced with a deep tiredness, the darkness lowered like a receding tide and faded until it was nothing.

“What if I can’t get it back?” she asked, feeling ridiculous.

Cerne’s chuckle vibrated through her. “Then I guess I’ll have to kiss you again.”

Meara pushed off him and turned to scowl. “Is that your answer to everything?”

“No,” he said, winking at her. “Just anything concerning you.”

Her breath hitched, all pithy words dropping out of her mind. He disarmed her. But considering the magic that filled the veranda, it was best she stopped. If things went further, she couldn’t imagine what the darkness would do.

Exhaling, she straightened. “I am going to return to my rooms and see my sister. Thank you for your assistance . It was a lovely night.”

Cerne chuckled at her formal response, and she felt her cheeks flame anew. “Goodnight, Meara,” he said, folding his hands behind his head and leaning back.

She crossed the room, keeping her eyes on him.

She tried to look calm, but her heart still pounded in her chest. She discovered her magic.

And the Autumn Lord kissed her. She decided the magic was more notable, though the feel of his beard against her cheek and his fingers on her waist whispered in the back of her mind.