26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

M y silk sheets slide over my skin like butter as I roll over and desperately try to pull myself back to sleep—back to the incredibly inappropriate dream about August. Why is it always so hard to return to the good dreams? And why was it him ?

I flop to my back with a huff, now wide awake. But there is one thing I can think of that always makes sleep come easier.

My eyes scan the room cast in grey and black shadows, only faintly illuminated by moonlight, as I slip my hand down the front of my shorts and underwear. The soles of my feet touch as I find my usual position and rub slowly, trying to recall images of the dream. I'm back in Helios Castle's kitchen. August sucks my blood off his fingers and lifts me onto the counter. . . no. I've got a better idea.

We're here, below my balcony in the pool.

"Don't move," he says. My toes curl as he slides fingers up my sides, gathering the fabric of my wet shirt and pulling it up over my head. It lands with a wet plop on the stone, and he moves closer to me, pressing my back against the pool wall. He kisses me, and I swear I feel a faint tingling in the air.

He slides a hand down my chest to my. . .

No, this isn't working either. I want more. The air around me remains charged with energy and I quickly scan the room, reconfirming I'm alone.

I find my rhythm again. We're back at Helios in his room. His bed is empty and I drop the phoenix hairpin as he yanks me by my cloak and throws me against the wall. His muscles tense as I throw my hood and cowl back. I pull a dagger from my thigh, and he grins as I walk toward him, herding him toward the bed.

"You know you're still outmatched, even with that, don't you?" He points with his chin to my blade. "But, I'll play along." His low voice stirs something in me, and I pull in the abundant energy in the air. Someone must be having some fun nearby.

I pull myself back into the fantasy. "Get on the bed and take off your pants."

He smiles wickedly, exposing two long fangs, and complies.

I strip down, climb onto the bed, and straddle him.

I rub faster while deep in my fantasy. I ride him harder, faster until he flips me and holds me down.

The soft moan I let out sounds far too loud in this large, empty room. There's so much energy in the air. This can't be from me. I can't refill my own well.

I pull in, and my toes curl as I approach my climax.

I'm almost there.

My back arches, and I clench my jaw, stifling a moan as I crumble with a burst of pure explosive magic. Energy pulses from me, traveling rapidly outward.

The last few waves of my orgasm ripple through me as my breathing slows, and it occurs to me—that wasn't my magic. I used something huge and explosive. Could it be Luc's?

I slide out of bed, grab a blanket off the settee, and bring it to the balcony. I wrap the blanket around myself and sit in one of the woven rope chairs. The ropes cradle me as I swing and take in the beauty of the stars, letting my mind wander back to the dream and my fantasies.

Maybe it was my darkness. It makes sense that it would be attracted to someone other fae call the devil himself.

The brazier beside me ignites and startles me. Across the way to the next balcony, August stands shirtless and expressionless. The sight of his muscular frame and tattoos makes me swallow hard.

"Thanks," I shout to him. He nods and walks back into the castle. Seconds later, he appears on my balcony with two steaming mugs. He hands me one of them and leans on the balcony railing, taking me in.

"Can't sleep?" he asks with a devilish grin.

"Something like that," I say. "I've got a lot on my mind." I sip my mug of warm, delicious hot chocolate. "What about you? Is that your room?" I point with my chin toward the balcony on my right.

He nods. "I was sleeping quite well, actually," he says, "until some hungry vixen woke me." My heart sinks as Lydia pops into my mind. Of course, she would come here tonight after feeling threatened by me. It's hard to picture the two of them together. And yet, they make sense. A wave of jealousy hits me, and I down my hot chocolate, trying to bury it. My time here is temporary. Soon, it will be a memory. My eyes catch on August's abs again, and I lose it.

"Aren't you cold?" I snap. "Can you put a shirt on?"

He scoffs. "There she is." He disappears for a brief moment before returning with a fitted black shirt. "I'm never cold; a perk of having fire magic."

He finishes his drink and seems to be on the edge of telling me something but decides against it.

"Well, I saw you out here and wanted to check on you," his tone is once again short and icy. "Have a good night." He takes my empty mug from me, and through the pillars of my balcony, a shadow catches my eye. Across the way, Ciaran stands on August's balcony, wearing full armor. He disappears and re-appears on my balcony before us.

"There's been a breach," Ciaran says. "Something took down a shield near the north wall, and a large hoard of frygt and their abominations have crossed through. I've already . . ."

Dread hits me like an icy bucket and I jump up, dropping my blanket. Ciaran's jaw snaps shut, and his eyes widen as he takes in my pajamas. August whacks him on the shoulder, grumbling something as I bend to pick up the blanket.

"Stop staring," I say, pulling the blanket around myself. Ciaran's eyebrows raise as he glances between the two of us. He chuckles and shakes his head before he continues. "I've already alerted the troops," he says to August. "We can repair the shield and meet them on the way."

"You're going, too?" I ask, panic rising, gripping my chest.

He looks at me seriously now, something dark and deadly in his eyes. "I'm going," he says. "I lead my troops into battle. Get some rest; you'll be safe here."