Page 34 of To Crave Truly

He took a step forward and the temperature dropped as his dragon came closer to the surface. Goosebumps erupted along my skin and my nipples pebbled in the frigid air.

“Because you’re needed downstairs, and I’d hate to piss Alec off now that he’s got his heart back.”

Dammit, the guy had a point. Even if it was fun to torment him just a little.

“Fine,” I grumbled and went to head back into the room.

Cassian’s hand shot out and grabbed the back of my neck. He pressed his lips against my cheek in a soft caress. “It’s good to see you. And when we’re alone later, I’ll punish you for this.”

A shiver ran up my spine at his words. He trailed his finger across my bottom lip and a sinful smirk graced his mouth. “Maybe I’ll shut this mouth up, give it something else fill it with other than sass.”

I swallowed, my mouth watering at the images his words conjured.

“Or maybe I’ll gag you. Then I can fuck this pussy and all you’ll be able to do is cry for me.” His fingers brushed against the juncture of my thighs, and my legs quivered, suddenly struggling to hold me up. Then he took a step back and smiled wickedly. “But you’ll have to wait for that. The witch is awake, and Alec wants everyone downstairs immediately.”

I blinked, my mind slowly coming back into focus until the full force of his words hit me. “Witch? What witch?”

“Get dressed and come find out,” Cassian said as he turned around and walked away, his deep chuckle rumbling down the hallway behind him.

I closed the door and looked to Torsten who just watched me with mischief brewing in his eyes.

“What the hell am I going to wear now?” I asked as I eyed the remnants of my outfit scattered across the floor.

Torsten sat up, his shadows rippling over his skin as he moved. “How about this?” he asked, as his eyes glowed and he flicked his wrist, sending some of his shadows towards me. The cool wisps wrapped around my limbs until they settled around me in a toga-esque dress. It was gorgeous, shimmering in the light and making me look like some dark Greek goddess.

“Beautiful,” he said as he stood, wrapping his own shadows around himself until he was also fully clothed. “Come on. Let’s see what we’ve missed.”

The rest of the group were gathered in front of the huge fireplace and as soon as Rae saw me, she screeched and ran towards me, enveloping me in a giant hug.

“My god, girl. Where have you been? Are you okay?” she said in a rush.

I laughed. “I’m fine. Well, as fine as I can be, considering the circumstances. What about you? What’s this about a witch?”

Her face paled a little and she took a step to the side. It was only then that I noticed another woman sat on the sofa behind Rae.

“This is Flora, a Brackley Hollow witch.”

The woman was clearly terrified, flinching at every noise and her brown eyes were flitting between all the people in the room.

“Hi,” I said softly, as I knelt down in front of her. “I’m Lori.”

Flora’s eyes blew wide. “It’s you!”

“What?”

“The one from the prophecy,” Flora whispered. “I saw you.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s a seer,” Rae said helpfully. “She has visions.”

“You saw me?” I asked, worry creeping in. Whatever Flora had seen had fear lurking in her eyes and whatever had put that there, couldn’t be good.

Flora nodded. “Yes. The world burned and you stood there and laughed. There were crows, and red eyes and so much pain.”

The room was silent behind me, and I could feel everyone’s eyes brushing against my skin as the witch shared her vision. It couldn’t be true, could it?

Flora pulled away from me and I could tell I was making her uncomfortable. I stood and took a few steps backward until a hand wrapped around my waist, holding me steady.

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