Page 48 of Taste of Thorns

“That wasn’t technically sunlight, but sunlight won’t kill us – it’s just not exactly pleasant.”

“So was that unpleasant?”

He drags me closer with a growl. “No. That was the exact opposite of unpleasant. What did it feel like, Briony?”

I laugh. “Like magic. Like a release. Like letting out a breath of air you’ve been holding in.”

“Exactly,” he says, his face lighting up with excitement. “That’s exactly what it’s like. So let’s try again,” I close my eyes, more than ready for another kiss, “this time without the kissing.”

I harrumph. “I like the kissing.”

“Me too, Miss Storm, but we’re not here for that. So feel for that magic in your veins, feel it humming there, and this time relax and let it out.”

I concentrate on relaxing my shoulders and my jaw. I focus on long inhales and exhales. I let the magic slide from my veins and before I know it, the tiniest of beams flickers into life in the middle of my palm, illuminating both our faces.

“Excellent,” Fox says, “that’s excellent, Briony. Now, just let it be, don’t chase it away, don’t try and force it.”

I nod, staring down at the beam of light in my hand. I can see a myriad of colors dancing in the white light – rainbows of them. I can’t believe I’m doing it. That this came from me.

For so long, it felt like all that resided inside me was darkness – grief, fear, and loneliness casting long shadows over my life – and yet all along there’d been this light within, just waiting to be freed.

Eventually, the light extinguishes and I let out a groan of relief, my shoulders slumping. I hadn’t realized how much of an effort that had taken and now I feel shattered.

Fox senses it – probably reads it in the dark circles that are forming under my eyes.

“That’s enough for tonight, Miss Storm.”

“But I need to learn how to control this,” I slur, I’m so exhausted.

“There’s plenty of time for that. You need to rest. Learning to harness these powers is tiring. Time to go to bed.”

If I had any energy to speak, I’d ask if he’s planning on joining me. But all I want to do now is curl up and sleep for as long as I can.

I nod and kick snow at the fire as Fox wraps his cloak back around his shoulders.

Then I go to call for Blaze to let him know we’re leaving, realizing for the first time that he isn’t here.

“Blaze!” I say, alarmed. “Where’d he go?”

“Briony,” Fox says, pointing to the ground. There are a set of dragon footprints leading through the snow. We follow them across the clearing and to the slope of the hill, discovering a large entrance to a cave that had been hidden due to the angle. There, fast asleep, is Blaze, looking snug and content. So snug and content, I don’t have the heart to wake him.

“Looks like a good place for a dragon’s lair,” Fox mutters as we walk away.

“You say that like he’s a monster.”

“Hmmm,” Fox says and I go to punch him on the arm but he catches my hand and pulls me towards him again and then we’re kissing once more, only breaking away when an owl hoots far away in the trees.

“I wish we could leave this place,” Fox murmurs into my neck, pressing his lips against my pulse point. “I wish I could take you away.”

“You can’t,” I say. And it’s not because of the academy rules, or the realm’s requirements.

Once upon a time, I would have dreamed of nothing better than running away with a man like Fox, one who claims he lovesme, who treats me like I’m the most precious being in the realm, who I know would take care of me. But things have changed. I have friends. I have three other men who are certain I am their mate. Plus I’m closer than ever to learning the truth about my sister.

For the first time in for ever, I feel like I belong. And I won’t let even Fox Tudor take that from me.

Chapter Fifteen

Beaufort