Page 83 of Wicked Magik

“That you will only search for the memory of her skill and nothing more?”

Veylor pursed his lips. “On my honor.”

“Also,” I added. “I want you to speak to me more. No more lies, or with holding truths. I feel heavy here.” I pointed to my chest. “It is not mine, rather I believe it is yours.”

Veylor’s lip trembled. “It is. And we can speak more on why that is. Right now, the time is pressing.”

Vesper groaned, her body squirmed under the thin sheet.

I huffed, and took my large hand and set it over her stomach to calm her. “Do what you must to penetrate my mind then, whatever you must do.”

Veylor set down his tools and moved to the other side of the bed. "In the past, I could instantly connect with your mind, regardless of the distance between us. But now, your mental strength has grown; it's as if you've erected your own barriers. I've researched this, and since I crafted your vessel, I know how to breach them. I need to press my forehead against yours for our minds to connect. May I have your permission to do so?"

As I sat on the bed with him standing before me, our eyes level, I felt like an equal. He sought my consent rather than instructing or commanding me. This was the next phase of whatever this was, and I don't think he understood how significant it was to me.

I inhaled deeply, bracing myself for the moment his skin would meet my skull. In a disturbing, warped sense, I craved histouch. I still experienced that peculiar electric jolt, like lightning striking a lamp post, just as I did when I touched Vesper.

It was all so confusing but I could not deny that I wanted to explore it more.

“Yes,” I nodded. “For Vesper.”

Right now, I had to give Vesper the flawless skin she deserved to have back for my mistake. I promised to protect her and failed.

Veylor leaned in closer, placing his hands on either side of my face. He gazed into my eyes and rested his forehead against mine. As soon as his forehead made contact with my skull, my vision went dark. Instead of seeing the scene where Vesper was stitching up Benedict, I found myself in a completely different setting.

Veylor sat at a long, imposing table, his hand moving frantically across a piece of parchment as he squinted against the unusually bright light that flooded the room. The glare was almost blinding, casting sharp shadows on the polished surface of the table. Around him, fae were departing, their laughter echoing through the grand hall. They playfully slapped each other's backs. Their garments were bold in color, woven from the finest fabrics, and trailed elegantly along the polished marble floors as they slowly exited, leaving Veylor alone in the harsh glow of the light.

Amidst the vibrant colors and lively atmosphere of the room, he stood out as a stark monochrome figure, as if he had stepped out of an old black-and-white painting. His skin wasn’t gray as it was now, but pale compared to the variety of colors of the other fae.

His presence was cold and unwelcoming, his personality drained of life. He was the Lord of the Shadow Court. Veylor’s eyebrows furrowed with concentration, creating deep creases on his forehead, and his quill, which had been dancing swiftlyacross the paper, began to move with deliberate slowness, as though weighed down by the gravity of his thoughts.

I was instantly drawn to him, my heart thundered in my chest.

Then a fae with shimmering golden hair and vivid green eyes gracefully fluttered into the room, his presence as ethereal as a whisper of wind. It was the same fae who had shared a drink with him by the flickering firelight, casting shadows that danced along the walls. My heart quickened, a rapid drumbeat in my chest. I realized it was me.

I watched myself glide up behind Veylor. With a tender, almost reverent gesture, I planted a soft kiss on his cheek, a gentle brush like the touch of a butterfly's wings.

Was I ever that graceful?

“Bloody Shadows, what was that?” Veylor stood and stepped away from me.

As I watched, I chuckled. I wanted to poke this grumpy fae even further.

My fae self crossed my arms and wagged my finger at him with a chiding grin.

"I've been waiting ages for you to make a move," I said, my voice a mixture of impatience and excitement. I stood in front of Veylor, his eyes bright and determined. "So I decided to make it for you. Now, come on, we have a date." I extended his hand confidently towards Veylor, whose eyes widened in surprise, leaving him momentarily frozen, unable to pull away from the unexpected gesture.

Veylor’s mouth hung open. “W-what do you mean? I haven’t done anything!”

I giggled and pulled him closer. “You’ve looked at me the last three quarterly meetings with those dark, desirous eyes. I know the desire you try to hide; it lingers in your gaze whenever it finds mine..” My finger tickled his cheek. “You shouldn’t hideyourself like you are the shadow itself, not when you are the moon of your court.”

Veylor’s mouth opened and closed.

“Come now, moon, let me show you how to play in the sunlight.”

I pulled Veylor by the hand but he stood still, holding onto his chair.

"What... hold on... the Shadow Court doesn't permit such actions. We are respectable and have responsibilities to..."