Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“ T his session should finish it—any final worries about what I’ll see?” Rose asked as they entered her workshop. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed it until they were there.

The large, open room carved out of the inside of a hill on the island was where she had made her home—and stayed connected to Mom after losing her. Her gaze roamed to the most prominent piece in the room: the forge. The fire was already burning hot. Arie had started it for them once he had collected himself. He didn’t need to stay close to keep the flame going.

“I’ve got nothing to hide from you, Rose,” Luc said, stepping toward her. “I’ve only ever been worried about your safety.” He stretched his fingers as if he were looking at the power in them. “You, and I guess my magic, have convinced me you’ll be safe.” He paused. “Is there anything you’re afraid to see?”

She gave that question the eye-roll it deserved.

“I see.” His laugh was low and soft, sending sparks through her entire body, though she hadn’t touched him yet.

“You aren’t worried about finishing this without being at Suden house?” he asked.

“Not with you.” They didn’t even have the Suden artifact to use, like she’d used the Vesten coin with Carter. She smiled softly. She knew she didn’t need it. “Making magical weapons is all about understanding a wielder’s magic. Most of the time, that can only be done when the magic is interacting with the source.” She shook her head slowly. “I’ve seen your magic at the source. But honestly, I’ve come to understand it more each day we’ve traveled together.” She paused before asking her next question. Her magic reached for his, even as she pondered it. “What did Arie mean when he said our connection had strengthened?”

Luc glanced away before returning to her, his gaze penetrating. “Do you feel it?” His voice was quiet, not its usual asserting tone. Whatever he was asking—it meant something to him.

“Feel a connection between us?” she asked. “Of course.” She moved closer to him, invading his space and cupping his cheek. The urge to touch him was so strong.

“What does it feel like?” he asked.

She didn’t hesitate. “You’re the first thing I sense when I walk into a room. Your magic behaves like an extension of myself at times, considering my needs before I even think of them.” She thought of the workshop and how it had held her as she worked. She thought of more playful events, catching them as they fell to the ground in each other’s arms because she was too impatient to take her lips from his. Her pulse spiked as the memory of that night flooded into her mind. Luc must have been thinking of it too. A tendril of his magic snaked around her.

“Sorry,” he whispered, stepping away from her touch, pulling his magic with him.

She shook her head and reached for him again. Pausing before her hand touched his skin, waiting for the nod he gave her.

“My magic has never been like this with anyone before. It’s not even this protective of Aaron and the children.”

Rose felt it wrap around her again as their hands reconnected, pulling their bodies flush together. “What does mine feel like to you?” she asked.

“It’s less insistent,” his lip twitched, and his power flared at his word choice. “But no less present.” His head tilted. “You must have restrained yourself quite a bit to keep from asking me daily if you could evaluate my magic. Because I felt your desire to do so constantly.”

“I’m sorry.” Rose flushed. She had wanted to evaluate his power, but she had respected his need to figure out his relationship with it before throwing herself back into the mix.

“Don’t be,” he replied. “Your magic’s reaction to my power was not something I’m used to. Fear, uncertainty, and caution are more the norm. It was good for me to see your undiluted desire for my magic.” He paused. “I don’t think you’ve ever feared it.”

“Not for a second.”

He reached for her then, his hand cupping the back of her neck, as he pressed his lips to hers. Softly, at first. A slow exploration of everything they were to each other.

He hadn’t exactly answered her question about their connection. Maybe he didn’t know. Whatever was between them was strong, the feeling soul-deep. It harkened back to romance stories and bound fae—while impossible for them, the idea of a perfect match, a bond between powers, was a dream she had kept tucked away. He adjusted his grip to coax a better angle for the kiss as his tongue swept in. Heat swirled through her as she nipped at his lip.

This—what she had with Luc—was better than any dream. He kissed her again, leaving no time to catch her breath as their magic swirled around them. Her hands wrapped around his neck, running through his hair. His fingers skidded down her side, clasping her hip and pulling them tighter.

He broke the kiss, leaving her heart pounding and her body longing for more. His smile was soft, one he saved only for her. His words were not—they cut through the haze and the growing smell of pine and cinnamon as his magic spread through the room. “I love you, Rose.”

The words felt natural, as if he’d whispered them to her a hundred times before—maybe he had. He had with every time his magic lent her strength. Every time he handled the more mundane tasks of their trip to give her a chance with Juliette. Every time he held her as they drifted off to sleep under the stars.

“I love you too.” The words were right as they slipped from her lips. Her gaze held his. He looked inexplicably surprised at her response before his lips turned up into a smile that lit the room brighter than any forge fire. His voice was decadent, reminding her of their first meeting as he leaned forward again.

“I’m glad to hear it.” His easy confidence returned as his hand cupped the side of her face and brought his lips back to hers.

This kiss wasn’t searching—it was claiming. It was scorching as their tongues tangled, deepening their connection with every stroke. They’d done this before, but he explored her like this was uncharted territory. Perhaps it was.

Their magic spread through the workshop, echoing their movements, intertwining in something deeper than an evaluation. She sucked in a breath as she felt their power sink together, unaided.

She broke the kiss momentarily, her focus on magic reminding her why they were here. A weapon—she needed to finish his weapon. She could multitask. “I am going to do the final evaluation on your magic.” Her mouth brushed his again. She swore she heard him growl as her teeth tugged at his bottom lip. “But don’t stop this.” She gestured between them. “It’ll help.” She winked at him as she pressed another kiss to his lips.

He understood the assignment as his lips moved from hers to her neck, nipping and sucking every inch of skin he could find. She held in a moan as his lips found that spot behind her ear.

Her magic wrapped tightly around his body, pressing them further together, sinking under his skin. His power rushed to follow. This exploration was more a formality than a necessity. She already knew the answer—she understood his magic like her own. Experiencing it with Luc, though, she couldn’t pass that up. His power took the lead and pulled her through the familiar tunnel. Scenes flashed by her as she fell, familiar faces now, Aaron, Michael, his mom and stepfather—her. Fearlessly, she went further toward the heart of his power.

Time passed. Beyond the scenes of his life, she fell into a darkness like none she’d experienced. It was a comforting unknown. Here, his magic finally stopped, asking her to spread her power and feel him—all of him.

Her eyes fluttered, and she whispered, “I found it,” as she felt his lips brush hers in the present reality.

Closing her eyes tightly again, she sank back to where their magics knit together in the darkness. His power was no mystery. It was insistent and could be overwhelming, but it cared for its own. Luc was the same. He could intimidate, and he could terrify. But he was searching for something softer . A place where he didn’t have to. His magic could create safety if given the chance, and he fought to secure it for himself and those he loved.

And she was one of those he loved.

As he was one of hers.

Her breath caught with a swell of emotion that overcame her as she concluded her evaluation.

She kept her eyes closed and stepped away from him in the workshop, pulling her magic back. It seemed to return to her through her internal lake of power instead of his tunnel. She didn’t have time to consider what this meant as she poured her feelings and understanding into the blade before her. She knew what Luc needed—she’d known all along. It was the part of him that she’d been drawn to.

A weapon that could help him create that safe space for his loved ones. He was a weapon—his power was a weapon. This blade would amplify his intention to not have to be—to find another path.

She lost track of time as she worked.

He moved toward her. His steps faltered as she took a final swing, pushing the last pieces of power into his weapon. She felt his arms cage her from behind, his body staying carefully out of danger.

She leaned into his strength and the rich smell of his magic still floating throughout the forge. It surrounded her. She sealed the essence of it into the blade and carefully cooled it with her magic. The heat in his gaze set her senses on fire. The moment the sword was out of her hands, Luc’s mouth was back on hers.

Their magics’ newfound intimacy was apparent in their kiss. His tongue slid over hers, and their power circled every point at which they made a physical connection. Luc’s hands ran down her body. His magic followed, leaving a current that felt like a physical thing in its wake.

Rose yanked him towards her, needing no distance between them like there was no distance between their magic now. The connection was something she never thought possible, something she couldn’t put words to. Deepening their kiss, their magic swept again around them. Rose had the good sense to walk Luc backward, moving away from the fire. Her lips didn’t leave his longer than necessary to open her eyes and ensure they didn’t crash into anything in the workshop.

Her wind swept around them, clearing a corner of the shop, and weapons flew off the wall as she pressed Luc against it. Hot and demanding, his mouth trailed down her neck again, distracting her as he spun them, her back now pressed against the mountain cavern. She didn’t mind as his hands slipped under her shirt to tug it over her head. His lips found her exposed breasts. He worshiped her, his mouth sucking as his tongue teased her peaked nipple. She leaned back, her fingers running through his hair, pulling him closer.

His mouth moved across her skin, and she reached for him. She groaned when she realized he was still clothed. She needed less between them—nothing between them. Their magic swirled in agreement with her unspoken thought.

“I need you,” she said. “Now.” Their entangled limbs rushed to finish undressing, another moan slipping from her as his fingers caressed her flesh. “Luc,” she cried as two fingers eagerly plunged inside her—her body more than ready for him. Her voice was unrecognizable as she urged him on.

“You certainly don’t have to beg, Rose,” he said with a wicked smile. He chuckled as his magic lifted her from the ground. His hands moved to grip her waist, her legs wrapped around his torso, and he brought them together.

She gasped as their bodies joined, the rightness of their physical connection more than she could take. His power held her, allowing his hands to roam as he set a steady pace.

His magic was everywhere, along with his hands, teeth, and lips. His power—an additional whisper over her bare skin—caressed her as they moved together. She sank into the thick essence of it around her, trusting herself to its hold. The grip of her legs loosened around Luc’s waist as she angled her hips. He had her exactly where he wanted her, his fingers teasing that bundle of nerves as he thrust into her. Each stroke had her body tightening—her pleasure building. He caught her moan of release with his lips in another claiming kiss. Her toes uncurling, her body softening was all he needed. His fingers tightened again on her waist as he followed her over the edge.