6. Six

Six

Soft lips moved against mine. I reached out, encircling his neck with my arms. Wait … I’d gone to bed alone.

I pulled away and sat up in bed. Sebastian smiled up at me, his wicked fangs flashing in the moonlight.

I scrambled out of bed. “What? You—”

I looked around us. There was nothing but shadow in every direction.

Sebastian held out his hand. “Come to me.”

“No!”

“Soon you won’t have a choice.” Sebastian rested back against the pillows. “The darkness will open your eyes. Then, you will come to me.”

Bright light flooded the room, and Sebastian disappeared.

A heavy body landed on the bed beside me. My eyes flew open, and blood-red hair and eyes slowly came into focus.

“Wake up, Enchantress!” Shael grabbed my arms while another set of hands wrapped around my ankles.

“What the hell?”

My mind slowly caught up to the moment. I hadn’t had a nightmare about Sebastian since I started wearing my iron. And why was the dream … like that ? The dreams before had been all doom and gloom, blood and pain. What changed?

“Why can’t you guys ever wake me up with breakfast in bed?”

Shael pulled on my arms, lifting me from my warm blanket cocoon. “We’re rescuing you.”

Skye smirked and dropped himself into an armchair. “Cyrus is pissed.”

“I haven’t seen Cyrus this mad since Shael set the Captain’s pants on fire in Artair.” Felix winced as he and Shael carried me towards the door.

“Oh, shit.” I struggled against them. Cyrus was pants-on-fire mad. My silk nightgown slid up my thighs. “Let me go. I’ll come willingly!” They dropped me on my backside, and I climbed to my feet. “What’s the plan? Do you think Ivar would grant us sanctuary in Izik?”

I flung my door open and walked straight into a wall of muscle.

Cyrus’s icy blue gaze landed on my face. His expression was painfully neutral. “Enchanter.”

He really was pissed.

“Hey, boss.” I cleared my throat and smoothed my bedhead. “I was just ... going for a walk. You know how I am. I need my walk first thing in the morning or else I’ll be crabby.”

“It’s almost midnight,” Skye chimed in from behind me.

“I’ve been patient with you, but this was too far.” Cyrus stalked forward, making me walk backwards to prevent him from toppling me over. “You won’t be leaving my sight again until I know you won’t do something stupid.”

He was too close. His aura wrapped around me, burning my skin and bashing against my barriers.

“I’ll be beside you when you’re sleeping, when you’re eating, when you’re bathing—”

“I went to Earth,” I blurted. I needed to get this out and there was no easy way to tell him.

Cyrus jerked back, putting some much-needed space between us. “What?”

“Well, I’ve been going to Earth.”

Cyrus’s brow furrowed. Hurt lined his chiseled features.

I crossed my arms. “I told you I needed to find Enoch, but you wouldn’t listen, so I’ve been visiting hunter compounds whenever I get some time.”

“You’ve been going to hunter compounds on Earth alone?” A vein throbbed on Cyrus’s forehead.

“Yes, but in my defense, if I’d told you, you wouldn’t have let me go.” I didn’t need to tell him about Ari. Clearly, Ari had been keeping my secret, so I’d keep his in return.

“Because hunters almost killed you once before,” Cyrus said through clenched teeth.

“I kept my distance and felt with my magic for a connection. Anything that would make me think Enoch was there. Then, I would leave.” I couldn’t hold his gaze anymore and looked at the cold fireplace instead. “Until last night.”

Cyrus didn’t respond. He didn’t move. Even his aura was still, as if it were suspended in the air. He was like a robot that had run out of power. I could practically hear the windows shut down noise.

I waved a hand in front of his face.

“I think you finally broke him,” Skye said.

Felix ran a hand through his inky slicked back hair. “What happened last night?”

I sighed. “I think we need Quillon to be here for this.”

We’d be leaving him alone with Qaanir and the rest of Draqaar. Much had changed and the Daevasi from Rotuun and Eqiid were having a difficult time adjusting to life without slaves. Poor them.

Shael stepped forward. “Want me to get him?”

I shook my head. “I have an idea that should get him here quickly.”

I closed my eyes and searched for Quillon’s mind. He was close, and he opened his barriers as my mind found his. I summoned an image and sent it to him.

I lounged on my ornate rug in front of the roaring fire. The flames framed my naked silhouette as I ran my hand up the side of my bare leg.

The door connecting my room to Quillon’s burst open, and Quillon stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a silky red robe and matching mask.

“Well, this is disappointing.” His gaze skimmed over the guys standing around the room until they landed on me. “You all still have your clothes on.”

Cyrus blinked. His aura surged, squeezing the air out of the room. “What happened last night, Enchanter?”

Normally, I’d close my barriers to his power, but after what happened in the bath, I basked in his radiance. It warmed me like the twin suns of Niaras, pushing the corruption further into the deepest, darkest corners.

“I visited the Titus compound, just a couple of hours from Haven in the mountains.” I closed my eyes. He wouldn’t like that, and he really wouldn’t like what came next. “There was a … commotion, and an injured boy ran from the compound. Sebastian was there.”

More power filled the room. It was silent save for the blood rushing through my ears.

“You’re sure?” Quillon asked, his tone grim.

“Yes. And he wasn’t alone. There were hunters that followed him ... corrupt hunters.” I hugged myself. “I clashed with one. He was fast and he had corrupt mana like Sebastian.”

Quillon’s magic brushed against me as he moved closer. “We could barely handle one Sebastian.”

“And now we have dozens. Maybe more.” I finally opened my eyes and found Cyrus. “Now do you see? We need to be on Earth.”

A muscle popped in his jaw. “Teleporting is too dangerous.”

“I have a plan for that.” I rubbed my hands together, but Cyrus didn’t look nearly as excited. “If I empower the Draqaar and Earth wells long enough for you, Felix, and the twins to pass through, it should be no different from normal teleporting.”

Skye tapped his fingers on his chair’s arms. “She has a point.”

“You’re willing to risk our lives for this hunch?” Cyrus asked.

I bit my lip. “Maybe we can start with Skye?”

Skye frowned.

“And just where do you plan to get the mana to empower the wells for so long?” Cyrus tilted his head.

I shrugged. “Where I’ve been getting most of my mana lately. From the city crypt.”

Quillon let out a bark of laughter, making me jump. “You’re the white widow that’s been terrorizing the cemetery? I ordered a new patrol of guards past sundown.”

“Ivar said daeva are superstitious, so I didn’t want to start collecting mana from the dead as the Enchanter.” The king of Izik had taught me a lot about the daeva people. It had come in handy. A smile spread across my lips. “I wore white, so no one would suspect me.”

“That’s brilliant,” Felix said.

I clasped my hands together. “I’ll stop by the crypt at daybreak, and we’ll head to Haven.”

Shael flopped onto my massive bed. “Which means it’s bedtime.”

Felix smiled. “You heard the man.”

I yelped as he tackled me to the mattress, burying his face in my neck.

“That’s my cue.” Skye stood and left the room.

“If you all insist on keeping your clothes on, then I’ll see you in the morning. My bath is ready.” Quillon returned to his suite, leaving Cyrus the last one standing.

“Good night, Captain,” I said.

“Good night, Enchanter,” Cyrus said, but he still didn’t leave. To my horror, he sat in the chair Skye had occupied, facing my bed.

“What are you doing?”

“I meant what I said. You should know better than anyone that I keep my word.”

“You’re just going to sit there all night?”

“You aren’t leaving my sight.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes. “You’ll be the one with the crick in your neck in the morning. Just make sure you don’t sleep on your rune-drawing hand.”

We were finally going to Earth in the morning. I could really begin my search for Enoch in earnest, and we’d track down Sebastian. He wouldn’t get away from me this time. There were only so many worlds he could run to.

Shael’s breathing evened out beside me, but my muscles twitched with energy and excitement. Maybe I shouldn’t have slept all day.

If I was just going to lie in bed awake all night running through the possibilities and worries in my head, I might as well get up and do something with the time.

As if responding to my spiraling thoughts, Quillon’s mind brushed mine, and I opened my barriers to him.

The vision I conjured earlier filled my mind.

I lounged on my ornate rug in front of the roaring fire. The flames framed my silhouette as I ran my hand up the side of my bare leg, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Quillon stepped into the warm light and his silk robe pooled at his feet. He laid down beside me, pressing our bodies together. Heat flooded me, wrapped around me, and built in my core. I wrapped a leg around him as he thrust his hard length inside me.

My breaths quickened to shallow pants as the vision ended. My underwear was already damp, and my body craved more. To finish the vision.

I waited until Felix’s hold slackened, before lifting my head. Cyrus still sat in the chair, his eyes closed and posture rigid. It made a weird sort of sense that he’d sleep like a department store mannequin.

I carefully lifted Felix’s arm and slid out of his embrace. The fire had gone out, so the room was cold. I hugged myself and took a tentative step toward Quillon’s door.

The floor creaked lightly, and I winced. A hulking form crossed the room in two strides like a blur of sunshine.

Cyrus frowned down at me. “Going somewhere, Enchanter?”

I glanced at Felix and Shael, but they were still out cold. I lifted my chin to meet Cyrus’s cold gaze. “I’m going to spend the last night with my husband before I leave.”

Cyrus opened his mouth, probably to say something stupid and authoritative.

“I know, I know. You won’t leave me out of your sight.” I smirked. “You’re welcome to join,” I bluffed. “I’m sure Quillon wouldn’t mind.”

“I ...” Cyrus cleared his throat, and I could have sworn a blush colored his cheeks in the low light. “That’s all right.”

“Don’t worry, Captain. I won’t be going anywhere. Quillon knows how to keep me occupied. I’ll scream if I need you.” I paused. “Wait. That’s not a good idea. How about a safe word? Something I’d never say. How about if I yell ‘Cyrus is fun,’ you kick down the door? Something horrible must be happening.”

Before he could answer, I sidestepped him and turned the handle to Quillon’s door. It was unlocked, so I slipped inside. Candles gave the room a gentle, dim lighting.

“It’s chilly, love. Come to bed.” Quillon’s voice was soft as he opened the covers for me. The bed was warm and plush. I pressed my numb feet against Quillon’s. “Agh!” Quillon pulled his feet away. “Have you never heard of socks, woman?”

I giggled. “But I have a personal foot warmer right here.”

“Foot warming is the responsibility of the others. I’m solely responsible for your pleasure.” Quillon wrapped his arms around me, pulling me flush against his body. “It’s in our marriage contract.”

“Well, who am I to deny it?” My hands slid down his bare chest. “You’ve always held up your end of the bargain.”

“That I have.” A wicked smile graced Quillon’s stately features. He pressed his lips gently to mine.

The kiss started slow and sweet. But Quillon always ignited the fire inside me. And I needed to get my fill of him before we left. I could visit Qaanir, but I didn’t know how long it would be until I saw him again.

His tongue darted out, flicking against my bottom lip. I moaned against his mouth, and he pushed me onto my back, positioning himself above me. I spread my legs, and he lowered himself. Quillon’s velvety shaft slid against my wetness, sending a bolt of pleasure up my nerves.

Sex with him was comfortable, but it was always a push and pull. A battle of wills. Who would push harder? Who would break first? But tonight, I simply wanted him.

I locked my ankles and pulled him down impatiently. He found my entrance, sliding inside me achingly slow until I couldn’t handle it anymore. I lifted myself, sheathing him fully. We moaned as he started pumping.

My nails dug into his back as he picked up his pace, pushing me closer. But I didn’t want it to be over just yet. I grappled him, throwing him to the bed and climbed on top of him. I slipped my nightgown over my head.

Quillon drank me in as I slowly lowered myself. I wanted to show him how much I cared for him. How much I’d miss him. I ground myself against him as his hands explored my body. One hand rested on the fullness of my ass while the other brushed my nipple.

I threw my head back and found my clit while I worked him. He was impossibly hard inside me, sliding against my walls as I quickened my pace. My muscles tightened around him as the cord of tension snapped, and he lifted his hips, pumping into me as we both found our release.

My breathing was ragged as I leaned forward and looked Quillon in the eyes. “I’m going to miss this while we’re on Earth.”

His amethyst eyes sparkled in the candlelight. “You’re incredible.” He pulled me down, and I rested my head on his chest. It rose and fell with his breaths. His fingers slid through my wild hair. “I’m falling in love with you.”

I spluttered. The “L” word. I’d never even said it to my mother. Hunters weren’t big on expressing feelings.

But I knew the truth. I wished I could say my feelings for him had been building since the moment I met him. But really, it had been since I saw the sparks of his humanity. Since he showed unwavering courage and dedication to his people. And since he began counting me among them.

“I think I’m falling too.”

“Mmm.” Quillon’s chest vibrated with the sound of his satisfaction. “Enough to host a stately visit with Rorick?”

I snorted. “Don’t push it.”