Page 80 of Ancient Magic

She stubbornly shook her head. “You wouldn’t say that if you knew what my friends went through.”

He sent her a chiding frown. “Why do you dismiss what you’ve achieved?”

“Because I’m not sure what I have achieved.”

“You were forced to support your father when you were barely more than a baby and then sold off to a horde of demons who abused your gift for their own profit. You could have let them crush your spirit or taint you with bitterness. Instead you molded yourself into a strong and independent and terrifyingly courageous mage.”

She paused, clearly not convinced that she was special. “I like to think that I’m independent,” she finally conceded. “But I’m not sure I’m courageous. It’s more likely I’m too stubborn to admit when I’m in over my head. And I’ll never be strong,” she insisted.

Micha parted his lips to argue, only to snap them shut. Abruptly he understood. Skye had never been exposed to mages until she’d escaped the demons who held her captive. Not until she’d joined her friends at the Witch’s Brew. It was no wonder she considered her magic less than astonishing. Her roommates were two of the most powerful mages in the world. And Peri might very well be the most powerful mage in several millennia. Tough to compare yourself to that.

Reaching out, he grasped her fingers in a light grip and tugged her toward the opening across the cavern.

“Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” she asked even as she readily followed his lead.

“I want to show you something.”

“Seriously?”

He sent her a baffled glance at her dry tone. “What?”

“This is not the first time I’ve heard that line.”

He chuckled at her unexpected teasing. “I promise. It will be magical.”

She shook her head. “You’re not helping your cause.”

“Trust me,” he urged, entering a side tunnel that was wrapped in layers of illusions. It would be invisible to anyone searching the cavern. Even the mage who’d created the opening.

Her steps never faltered as they entered the vast bedroom that was the complete opposite of the outer chambers. There were no stark lines or empty space. This room was lit by the glow of a thousand crystals embedded in the walls, and rich tapestries covered the stone floor. The furniture was a baroque explosion of lavish décor with a four-poster bed draped in crimson and gold and several ebony chests that held his most personal possessions.

Overhead the domed ceiling was painted with bright blue skies and puffy clouds where angels danced.

Angels that had a remarkable resemblance to Skye Claremont, he acknowledged with a stab of surprise. As if he’d already known exactly who he wanted sharing this room.

“Oh,” Skye breathed, spinning to take in the vibrant colors that spilled from the crystals. “This is beautiful.”

Smugly pleased with her reaction, Micha moved to touch the electronic pad hidden behind a large bronze vase. A second later the soft sounds of a waltz hummed through the air.

He walked toward Skye with a determined step. She watched his approach with arched brows.

“You’re not going to strip, are you?”

“Only if you ask very, very nicely,” he assured her, stepping close enough to wrap his arms around her waist. “For now I want you to dance with me.”

She looked skeptical. “I’m not very good.”

“I don’t believe that.” He gazed down at her. “You’re the most graceful creature I’ve ever seen. Including the elder fairies.”

She blushed but stubbornly shook her head. “Not when I’m dancing. Maya says I have the elegance of a drunk rhino.”

“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.” Tightening his arms around her waist, he began to sweep her in a wide circle. He continued until he could feel her slowly relax and she was matching him step for step. “You’ve seen the results of my powers, right?”

She tilted back her head, her hair tumbling over her shoulders in a riotous halo of gold. His fangs throbbed. Stunning.

“Do you mean the horrifying vines on your island of death that tried to eat the demons? Those are going to give me nightmares. Or this room that makes me feel like I’m in a palace, even though I should be drowning in swamps and gators?”

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