Page 134 of Castle of Nevers and Nightmares

My brows lift. “That’s a big assumption that I’m greedy enough to want treasure.”

“I was to plant the greed into your mind.”

I swallow. “You can do that?”

“I can do many things, Willow.” His dark gaze settles on me as he raps his knuckles against the rock. “But I can’t get inside here.”

“So why don’t you enter Titania’s mind and force her to release you?”

He faces me with amused eyes. “Does that pretty little mouth ever stop asking questions?”

“Never.” Why do people keep asking me that?

His head dips to mine, filling my space with his sweet, woodsy scent.

“Good,” he murmurs as he trails his fingers down my long braid, resting it against my breastbone. “It will be a sad day if you ever lose your spark of curiosity.”

“Ahem.” I raise my brows. “It’s nice you’re being cute and all, but you haven’t answered my question.”

Roguish lips curve, flashing dimples. “Like you, she’s my queen. We can do her no harm.”

“I can do many things, Willow,” I mock. Frustration wells inside me. “How can you have two queens?”

“Neither bond works as it should.” A brief storm gathers in his gray eyes before they soften on me. “But I have faith you’ll figure it out.”

“Me?”

He presses my hand against the chest of his brocade coat. My breath is hard to draw when he stands so close, touching me. His next words are low and intimate, almost precious.

“There’s something about you, Willow O’Leary-Nightstalk, something disruptive and magnetic. You’re smart, ruthless, and yet full of compassion for strangers. You are a natural-born queen, with or without magic, with or without a hive. If this all turns to ruin, and all we’re left with is the pleasure of yourcompany for this single heartbeat in time, I will consider myself fortunate.”

“Fox,” I warn. “You’re being very serious. It’s unlike you. Is there something you’re not telling me about this temple?”

He swallows and rakes his fingers through his hair. “This is where we were originally bound. The site is an ancient, powerful convergence of feylines flowing directly from the Wellspring. I’m unsure if Styx is inside, but I’ve looked everywhere else.”

He’s nervous, I realize. Maybe even worried that I’ll be harmed inside, and he won’t be able to reach me. That knot around my heart tightens. It’s almost as though Ifeelhis concern as my own. And... his fear. My thoughts flick to my parents’ Well-blessed mating bond. It allows the sharing of emotions and mana. I shut down the traitorous hope rising in my soul. This isn’t that. It can’t be. We would have matching blue glowing marks... and I could share his magic.

Fox’s worry intensifies. “If you wish to turn around now, I’ll take you home.”

“I choose to enter freely. You’re not manipulating me, forcing me, tricking me. I am here because—” I take a deep breath. “I want answers. I can’t wait around for you to act or for the others to confess their true intentions. That’s me reacting to someone else’s choice. I’m tired of living like that. If all I find in here is an empty space, then at least I know I did something. Ichoseto do something because I wanted to.”

My fingers scrape down his jaw as he steps away with a determined nod. “I’ll be here waiting. If the Baleful Hunt turns up, I’ll still be here—you just won’t see me.”

I give him the most confident smile I can muster and salute him with my sword.

“Let’s get this over with, then.” I raise my hand to the rock, but he captures my wrist and yanks me hard against his torso.He slants his lips over mine, demands entry with his tongue, and kisses me with a passion bordering on desperation.

When it’s over, I’m left wanting more. And wet. He gives me a wolfish grin, knowing exactly what he’s done, teasing me with those charming dimples again.

“It might be cold in there,” he notes. “Thought you needed something to keep warm.”

“Right.” I roll my eyes and press my hand to the rock. “Because your lips aresohot.”

His chuckle follows me as I step through the wards. Tingling, jittery ants scuttle over my body. But more of that familiar feeling embraces me, too.

On the other side, glimmering light blinds me. Sparkles. Stars. It’s too bright. I drop to a crouch and use my other senses while my eyes adjust. A few sharp whiffs of the damp air tell me nothing living is here. The twinkling stars take shape on the ground around the cave’s outer wall—jars of manabeeze. Holy shit.Hundredsof jars of manabeeze. Tables of artifacts are pushed against the outer wall, but it’s the single, solitary silhouette in the center that steals my attention.Wings. Great draconic wings stretch the entire span of the cave, hitting each side with a sharp-taloned tip.

The statue’s muscular back is to me, head down, so I can’t see if he has horns. My brows lift.He’snaked.A long tail sprouts from the top of his toned buttocks. It sure looks like it might be Styx, but Fox said he was sealed like the others. Why would his devilish features be on display?

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