Page 66 of Veiled Yearning

He sweeps me into his arms, dipping his head to kiss me. As our mouths meet, tongues teasing and tasting, he lifts me up so my feet are dangling.

Being enveloped in Gavril’s arms is the best feeling in the world. When he holds me, it’s like nothing in the world can hurt me, and everything just makes sense.

All too soon, he lowers me to my feet, and gazes down at me with a soft expression. “Are you doing alright? I meant to check on you earlier, but our meeting with Roman and Grace went long.”

“I’m okay.” Stressed? Yes. But that’s pretty much a permanent condition right now. “How was the meeting?”

Gavril slides an arm around my shoulders, tugging me into his side. As he leads me out of the solarium, he replies, “It went well. Once we explained all the safety measures we’ll be taking, Roman and Grace were more comfortable with the idea.”

“And they’re alright with our part of it?”

“Yes.” He glances down at me, his lips quirking into a wry smile. “After what you did when Grace was in trouble, they trust you implicitly. Me? They aren’t as certain of. But with you a part of it, they said yes immediately.”

“I just hope it works.”

We came up with the idea a couple of days ago, while Frederick was complaining about how Nicolas was always spotted some place he couldn’t identify. “He’s so careful,” Frederick griped, scowling. “Even with enhanced sight, I can’t see anything that would give a clue to his location.”

That was when the spy idea was born. It’s a complicated plan, but if it works… we could finally figure out where Nicolas is hiding. And with time running out—there’s only a week left until the two-week deadline—we need to find him quickly.

Now that Grace and Roman have agreed, it’s time to put the plan into action. First, Gavril and I will enhance their mind-controlling ability, to hopefully give it greater range and longevity. Then they’ll give a command to one of our captive Custodians, telling him what to do once we release him.

The prisoner won’t be harmed; he’ll be directed to find Nicolas and claim he escaped from us. Once he’s there, he’ll secretly contact us to reveal the location. Assuming it works, we could be on our way to confront Nicolas within the next few days.

If it works. That’s the big question. Will everything work out the way we’re hoping, giving us the advantage we need?

Gavril kisses my head. “I have a good feeling about it. No vision, just a hunch.”

We pass through the kitchen, where Lucas is sitting at the large marble island, and he gives us a little wave. “I just heard from Xavier and Paul. They should be here in a few hours. Do you want me to—” His mouth snaps shut. “Nevermind. I forgot. I’ll tell them you’ll talk to them tomorrow.”

Gavril nods. “Yes. I’ll speak with them in the morning.”

I look up at him. “Not tonight?”

“Not tonight.” Once we’re out of the kitchen and headed down the hallway towards the western wing of the house, he adds, “I have something else planned for tonight.”

“Are we doing this thing with Grace and Roman? Is Nylah here with the Custodian already?”

“No. That’s still tomorrow.” Gavril’s arm tightens around me, hugging me to his side. “Tonight is… something different.”

We come to a stop in front of the library door; it’s shut, instead of open as it usually is. Anticipation kindles inside me, but it wars with the heavy weight of obligation. “Gav. All night? Can we afford the time?”

His arm drops away as he moves to face me, his back to the door. Eyes turning a molten silver, voice going extra growly, he says, “This is important, Chiara. And I will always make time to spend with you.”

Oh. My heart flips drunkenly in my chest. Something about the way he says it, and his expression as he looks at me… I almost blurt out I love you right here and now.

But I swallow it back, fear getting the best of me. Instead, I ask, “What are we doing, then? A game? Reading? And we have all night?”

“Not exactly.” Gavril places his hand on the doorknob and hesitates. His breath hitches. “I… well. I wanted to do something…” he trails off and opens the door. “Special.”

“Oh.” It’s the only word I can form. “Oh.”

“I wish I could take you on dates,” he says quietly. “Take you to all the places you’ve dreamed of going. This is just a pale imitation, but when this is over, I promise—”

“Gav.” I clutch his arm. “I can’t—”

What he did…

It’s like when he brought the sky inside, only so much more.

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