Page 37 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)
THIRTY-SEVEN
R ust found Kalyna in the library’s historical section an hour later, ancient texts spread on a heavy oak table. Her copper hair caught the light, creating a halo effect as she bent over a particularly old scroll.
He paused in the doorway, drinking in the sight of her. The elegant curve of her neck, the delicate line of her profile, the way she bit her lower lip in concentration—all of it fascinated him. She researched with the same intensity she brought to everything—thorough, passionate, determined.
Those qualities had drawn him as much as her beauty or their magical compatibility. Kalyna approached life with a fierce intelligence and unwavering dedication that matched his own drive.
She must have sensed his presence, because she looked up, her warm brown eyes meeting his across the room. Something electric passed between them, their magics recognizing each other even at a distance.
He shut the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the quiet room. For a moment, neither moved. Then, as if a string had snapped between them, they both surged forward.
His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him with an urgency that surprised even him. Her scent—old books and subtle fox magic—filled his senses as his mouth claimed hers. His lion roared with satisfaction, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.
Her hands slid up his chest to tangle in his hair, her body melting against his with a soft moan that drove him wild. The kiss deepened, hungry and demanding, all the restrained longing from the council chamber pouring out at once.
“I couldn’t focus with you sitting across from me,” he admitted when they finally broke apart, his voice a low rumble against her skin as he traced kisses along her jaw. “My lion kept insisting I cross the chamber and claim you in front of everyone.”
“That would’ve certainly ended the debate.” Kalyna laughed breathlessly, her fingers tracing the pattern on his tie. Her touch left trails of heat through the silk. “I see Echo’s been creative. His specialty is transformation illusions.”
“I like it,” Rust admitted, capturing her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. He breathed in the scent of her skin, intoxicating and uniquely hers. “Though I’d prefer if he asked next time before enchanting my entire wardrobe.”
Her eyes widened, their brown depths flickering with that red spark that drove him crazy. “Your entire wardrobe? Echo doesn’t do things halfway.”
“Neither do I.” He held her gaze, letting his meaning sink in.
Her pulse jumped at her throat, a tangible sign of her reaction that pleased his lion immensely. Color rose in her cheeks, but she didn’t look away.
“I noticed,” she said softly. “You made that quite clear in the council today.”
“Good.” He brushed his thumb across her cheekbone, memorizing the feel of her skin. “I’m not hiding anything, Kalyna. Especially not my feelings.”
She leaned into his touch, those clever eyes studying him. “And what exactly do you feel?”
“Everything.” The word escaped before he could measure it, raw with honesty. “You challenge me. Fascinate me. Infuriate me sometimes.” His mouth quirked into a smile. “You face down lion politics without flinching. You care about knowledge and heritage with the same passion I bring to protecting this town.”
He traced the curve of her lower lip with his thumb. “And when you look at me with those fox-fire eyes, I can barely think straight.”
Her lips parted slightly, the red in her eyes intensifying. “Rust...”
“We don’t have to name it yet,” he murmured, though his lion screamed mate with every fiber of his being. “But I won’t pretend it isn’t happening.”
She searched his face for a long moment. Whatever she found made her decision. Rising on tiptoes, she pressed her mouth to his in a kiss that stole his breath—tender yet demanding, an answer more eloquent than words.
When they finally separated enough to focus on the texts spread across the table, they remained physically connected—his arm around her waist, her body leaning into his strength, their magics humming in harmonious recognition.
“Boz and Mira are working together,” Rust said, bringing her up to speed on Hezron’s discoveries. “We have security footage of her accessing my office after hours.”
Kalyna’s expression darkened. “That explains the transfer records. They’re framing you while trying to figure out the charm. We need to show the council that footage.”
“Not yet,” he replied. “Let’s see how far this goes. I want solid evidence against Boz. Not hearsay or images of clandestine meetings. I need hand-in-the-cookie-jar proof. That’s the only way we can take him down.”
Rust studied the ancient text open before them, acutely aware of the warmth of her pressed against his side. Every point of contact sent sparks of pleasure through him. “Go over again what you said about the charm and altering reality. I need to understand it all better.”
“According to the records, it contains essence-magic from our ancestors designed to amplify natural fox abilities—including reality-bending.”
Rust looked at her. “What’s that mean exactly?”
Her copper hair fell forward across her cheek. He resisted the urge to tuck it behind her ear, focusing on her words.
“As Dad said, the ancient warning says when the two-tailed charm leaves fox hands, illusions may become reality—our greatest power twisted into physical form. A lion now supposedly has the talisman with no fox magic protecting it.”
Understanding dawned. “If Boz could harness that...”
“He could make illusions solid,” Kalyna finished. “Create or destroy at will.”
A chill ran down Rust’s spine at the implications. No wonder Boz wanted the charm—and no wonder he seemed desperate to disrupt whatever was growing between Rust and Kalyna.
“The magic we create together,” Rust said slowly, watching their joined shadows on the wall. “It’s not typical, is it?”
Kalyna shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “Lion and fox magic rarely blend so... seamlessly. That’s why everyone stared when we created that spark in the council chamber.”
“Well, we’ve been officially sanctioned to work together,” Rust reminded her, a smile tugging at his lips. His fingers traced small circles at the small of her back, gratified when she shivered at his touch. “Might as well take advantage of it.”
She leaned into him, her head resting against his chest. The gesture of trust—casual yet profound—stirred something deep within him. He pressed his lips to her hair, inhaling her scent, memorizing it.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call, shattering the moment.
“Mayor Leonid,” he answered formally, keeping one arm around Kalyna.
“Rust.” His mother’s voice came through clear and authoritative. “We need to speak privately. Now.”