6. Sapphire

Sapphire

Riven blinks, water clinging to his lashes as he wipes his face with the back of his hand.

“Really?” he says, his voice laced with dry amusement. “Is that your idea of negotiating?”

“It’s my idea of keeping you focused,” I say, refusing to admit that I lost control from his testing my patience. “And proving a point.”

“Point noted.” He nods approvingly, already dry thanks to using his own water magic.

“Good.” I steady myself, refusing to let him throw me off balance again. “Now, back to the deal. Promise me that Zoey will be safe. That this—” I pause, motioning to her. “Won’t happen to her again.”

His approval vanishes. “I can’t do that,” he says. “This realm is dangerous, and so is the journey we’ll be taking. All I can promise is to do everything in my power to protect her. The rest will depend on her—and on you.”

“Fine.” I bite the inside of my cheek, hating that every moment I spend interrogating him is another moment closer to Zoey’s death. “Any other catches I should know about?”

“Just one.” He steps closer, his gaze locked on mine.

The air between us crackles with tension, and I know I should step back. But I don’t.

“What now?” I ask, my magic buzzing at the tips of my fingers.

He leans in, his eyes glinting with something dark and wicked. “This deal needs to be sealed.”

My heart flutters at the memory of the last time he and I sealed a deal.

“A handshake,” I say firmly. “You said deals can be sealed with a handshake.”

“A handshake isn’t what I’m offering,” he murmurs. “If you want to make this deal—which I know you do—then we’re sealing it with a kiss.”

My breath catches as his eyes drop to my lips. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m always serious about sealing deals.” His voice drops lower, and it’s like my feet are anchored to the ground, refusing to move. “Unless you’re scared?”

“Of kissing you?” I scoff, even as my heart races. “Please. I’ve already done that twice.”

“Then what’s once more?” He brushes his fingers across my cheek, sending fire running across my skin. “Other than something that will save Zoey’s life?”

My breaths grow shallow, and my body warms.

I hate how much I want this. How much I want him.

Even more—I hate how much he knows it.

“Fine,” I tell him, since every moment spent arguing is a moment Zoey doesn’t have. “But make it quick.”

“That’s something I won’t agree to,” he says, closing the distance between us in one swift moment.

It’s like the collision of two powerful forces, creating a surge of electricity that courses through my entire being, the world around us fading away as I melt into his touch.

The taste of him is intoxicating. It’s like a forbidden fruit I can’t resist. And as our mouths move in a desperate dance, his ice magic awakens, tingling against my skin, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.

Suddenly, he’s pushing me back, pinning me against the cave wall, making me lose all capabilities of rational thought.

A breeze stirs around us, but I don’t care. All I can think of is him. All I want is him.

He pulls me closer, his body flush against mine, making it clear that he wants me, too.

But instead of pushing for more, he breaks the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “Careful,” he warns. “Or you might end up giving me more than a kiss.”

“Not in your wildest dreams,” I say, and I’d back away, if it weren’t for the wall behind me.

“Do you want me to tell you my wildest dreams?” he asks, amused now. “Because I promise they’re wilder than your sweet summer mind could ever imagine.”

I want to say no, but I can’t.

“Do you ever stop?” I say instead, hating how my heart keeps racing, giving away how much he’s affecting my body.

“I’d prefer not to,” he says. “However, the deal is now sealed. Which means we have to get started on saving your friend’s life. And indulging in a distraction wouldn’t be the best I can do to help. Far from it given that the distraction I intend on giving you would last a long, long time.”

I stare at him for a long second as I take in what he said.

“Did you just try to compliment yourself and threaten me at the same time?” I finally say.

“I didn’t just try,” he says with a smug smile. “I did. And you’re shivering. I have an amulet of warmth for you in my pack. It should help.”

He doesn’t wait for me to accept. He just steps back, his movements calculated and smooth as he rummages through the huge pack of supplies he brought with him.

Ghost—who’s resting next to it—looks at me with eyes that might as well say, Riven’s always going to be Riven. There’s nothing either of us can do to change him.

I just shake my head at the huge snow leopard and press my fingers to my lips, willing the sensation of Riven’s magic and kiss to fade. But the tingling lingers, like a phantom touch I can’t shake.

Eventually, he pulls out an amulet like the one he gave Zoey, and turns back to me. “It won’t last forever,” he says. “But it should help you warm up.”

Cautiously, I walk toward him and take it, my fingers brushing his as I do.

The gem’s warmth seeps into my skin immediately, spreading through my body like a soft, soothing flame.

“Better?” he asks, watching me closely.

I nod begrudgingly, refusing to meet his eyes as I slip the chain over my head.

“Yes,” I say, hating that I need his help.

At the same time, it would be stupid to not take it. Freezing to death isn’t going to do anyone any favors. Assuming fae vampire hybrids can freeze to death… but that’s not a science experiment I want to attempt.

Seemingly satisfied with my decision, Riven leans casually against the wall, studying me with that calculating gaze of his.

“What?” I ask, since he clearly wants to say something.

“Two nights ago, before the trials,” he says slowly. “When you asked for meat instead of bread and cheese. Were you serious, or were you trying to get under my skin?”

My stomach drops.

He knows. He has to know.

No. If he knew he wouldn’t be here. He’d dismiss me as a monster and leave.

Or would he? Does he need my potion making skills enough to make a deal with a monster? To kiss a monster?

I don’t know.

And I don’t want to find out.

So, I force a casual shrug, keeping my voice steady as I contemplate a way to dance around the truth. “I was serious,” I say. “Aunt Martha cooked us meat every day. It’s what I grew up on. I know it’s not a fae thing, but it’s what I’m used to. A little taste of home, I guess.”

It’s not a lie. Aunt Martha did cook meat every day. And it does remind me of home.

I just leave out the part about how I need it to function. How my body craves blood now more than ever.

“Sentimental attachment to human food.” Riven’s voice is neutral, but something in his eyes makes me wonder if he believes me. “Interesting.”

“Not everything has to have some deeper meaning,” I say, desperate to change the subject, to stop his probing. “Now, if you’re done psychoanalyzing my eating habits, it’s time for us to start following through on our deal and make that potion for Zoey.”

I hold my breath, praying he’ll drop it with the meat.

“First, we’ll need soulberries,” he says, all business now, and I can finally breathe again. “Small, deep purple berries with a silvery shimmer. We’ll mix their juice with water for the base.”

“Because water is the element controlled by fae?” I ask.

“Of course.” He nods approvingly. “But the berries are just the start. We also need starlight moss, which has to be gathered at night.”

“And let me guess: under the stars?”

“Smart girl.” He smiles in that annoying way that makes my heart race. “Then there’s the moonlit fern. It’s best gathered on the night of a full moon, but...” He glances at the cave entrance. “Tonight’s a waxing crescent.”

“Will that work?”

“It can. Better than if it was a new moon. But it means the potion will be harder to brew correctly.” His eyes lock onto mine. “Think you can handle it?”

I think of Zoey—of how pale she looks, and of how shallow her breathing is. “I have to,” I say simply.

“Good. We also need twilight thistle?—”

“Let me guess,” I interrupt. “Gathered at twilight?”

“You’re catching on. But the last ingredient...” He trails off, his expression darkening. “That’s where it gets complicated.”

“How so?”

“We need the blood of a dove. But not just any dove’s blood. You’ll have to kill it yourself and perform a spell as you do. If done correctly, the dove will come back to life.”

My stomach turns. “And if I fail?”

“Then the dove stays dead, and we start over.”

“Which will take time that Zoey can’t afford.”

“Get the spell right the first time, and you won’t have to worry about that,” he says. “Doves only come out during the day, and the blood needs to be fresh when added to the potion. Which means we’ll gather it tomorrow, after I collected everything else tonight.”

“We?”

“You’ll need my guidance for the spell. And I won’t let you go alone.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “Ghost can guard Zoey here in the cave.”

I glance at Zoey’s unconscious form. “I don’t want to leave her.”

“Ghost will protect her with his life. Like he’s always done for me.” Riven’s voice softens, just slightly. “But if you don’t have my guidance for the spell, you’re less likely to do it correctly. Then all our work will have been for nothing.”

I groan, since he’s right. Of course he’s right.

“Fine,” I give in. “When do we start?”

“Tonight. I know where to find the first four ingredients. My mother and I gathered them—plus many others—around here often.” He moves to a corner of the cave, where Ghost is waiting for him, curled up like he’s been waiting to go to bed for a while now. “But I’ve been up all night getting here. I need rest to be at my best tonight.”

“I’ll keep watch,” I say, and he’s already settling down, using Ghost as a pillow.

“Wake me in six hours. That’ll give you a few hours to sleep with Ghost and I keeping watch, so you can stay awake when I’m gone,” he says, and within moments, his breathing evens out.

I sit against the wall, keeping my eyes on Zoey.

The dark angel’s blood still courses through me, but I can feel its effects waning. I’ll need to feed again soon.

But Riven can’t know. I won’t risk him discovering what I am—not when I need his help so desperately.

Which means I have to be careful. Hide my air magic. And feed without him knowing.

I press my fingers to my temples, trying to push away the anxiety brewing from how overwhelmed I feel.

One problem at a time.

For now, I just need to keep watch for the next six hours, to make sure the three of them—Zoey, Riven, and Ghost—remain safe.

Because without them, I have nothing.