Page 83 of Immortal Burden

I was sure that the relief would be short-lived, given what we were about to discuss.

It had me taking a couple of beats, before making my way down the hall to the salon.

By the time I arrived, Lucian was leaning back on my ivory leather couch with a glass of what looked like scotch clasped in his hand.

I scanned the immediate area, searching out Ryker. “Where is he? I didn’t take that long.”

“A call came in.”

I started. “A Guardian call?” After what my father had just done—forced upon us—that wouldn’t bode well in the least.

“No,” Lucian thankfully responded. “A regular, mundane call via his cell phone.”

“Thank goodness,” I breathed as I walked to my portable bar and fixed myself a glass of straight vodka. I took a big gulp, then settled myself into the armchair adjacent to the couch.

I was too riled up to actually sit back, instead perching right on the edge.

“A phantasmal plane can’t manufacture attraction and desire out of nowhere, it can only enhance it, as was the case earlier. Along with directing our focus to fulfilling that need,” Lucian spoke.

“I’m aware,” I said, taking another big gulp of my drink, ignoring the burn as the harsh liquid slid down my throat. “Your point?”

“Your reactions and responses to me are what I’m getting at.”

He sat forward, regarding me with far too much interest, like he was determined to figure me out, to see behind the proverbial mask.

“I think we have much more pressing issues to discuss.”

“And this is a part of it.”

Dammit.

Some sort of realization passed over his chiseled features, making me tense.

That was confirmed as warranted in the next moment when he astutely deduced, “Your near-hostility toward me was not rooted in your conservative and sexually-repressed sensibilities, it was a result of attraction.”

“When we first met, I thought it was my admiration for you as a renowned warrior and long-time Guardian, everything you’ve accomplished—things of legend. Either way, I couldn’t be sure and shortly thereafter, Ryker and I got together, so I wouldn’t allow myself to entertain it. I was committed to him.”

“Finding another being alluring isn’t a sin, Mia.”

“It was how it felt at the time. Ryker was devoted to me and I was to him.”

“Hmm.”

“Why is that so loaded?”

“Just that, you are mature beyond your years in so many ways, yet far less so when it comes to romantic relationships.”

“Excuse me?”

He waved his hand. “It makes sense given your intense repression. So many magic-wielders go that route and, as a result, there is a great deal they refuse to let themselves experience.”

“That’s a major generalization and an oversimplification.”

“I disagree. Desire is desire, it cannot be denied.”

“The block I have in place proves otherwise.”

He stilled. “Against me?”

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