Page 91 of The Dark, Dead, Deep

“I—” He pressed his fingers to his lips, and his dark brow furrowed most curiously and peculiarly.

My attention snagged on his hairline, hidden partially by the unruly dark curls that formed a halo around his face. “Your skin.” I frowned, interrupting him.

Tormalugh pushed his hand back, but whatever I thought I had seen had vanished. I thought I saw a silver scar curling like two butterfly wings on his forehead, but when I blinked, there was nothing but pristine, so pale that the color rivaled the full moon.

Tor blinked, his eyes roaming my face, but his expression closed down after his momentary slip.

“Do you think Shay has enough… sexual… energy now?” I asked, knitting my fingers together in front of me.

Tor glanced over his shoulder. “I’d say both males are entirely sated.”

“That was quick,” I mumbled.

Tor bit back a smile. “I don’t think Shay will take too kindly to you saying that.”

My brow creased in puzzlement. “Why do you say that?”

The kelpie snickered and shook his head before turning to Rainn and Shay, who were relaxing on the bed. Rainn seemed entirely pleased with himself, and Shay appeared to be using the edge of his shirt to clean his spend from his stomach.

Cormac remained unmoving. I wondered what he would say about all of this.

“Perhaps you should venture into Cormac’s mind as Shay tries to heal his body,” I suggested. “It can’t hurt to try to do both at once.”

Shay groaned. “It can’t hurt?” He adjusted his shirt. “Spoken like someone that doesn’t understand Sídhe magic at all.”

“Enlighten me then.” I quirked a brow.

Shay sat up. “Sídhe magic comes from the gods, but as you know, most gods require balance when working magic in their favor. My balance comes from using sexual energy to be able to heal.”

I turned to Tormalugh to ask what his balance was for being able to manipulate memories and emotions. He shrugged, and before Tor could say another word, Rainn grinned brightly.

“Wild-fae are different,” Rainn wiggled his brows.

My lips pursed. “Would you say that merfolk are wild-fae?” Traditionally, wild-fae were those with an animal aspect. I realized that the loss of their humanity and most of their ability to reason in animal form was balance enough.

Shay tapped his bottom lip. “I haven’t thought of it.”

All four of us mulled it over for a moment before moving on.

“We need a conduit between Cormac and Tormalugh, someone to help guide the magic,” Rainn stated, pushing himself from the bed.

Everyone turned to me.

“What about Rainn?” I waved a hand.

“Such a hero.” Shay rolled his eyes.

I crossed my arms over my chest and glared. “I have a specific interest in self-preservation.”

Rainn ignored our sniping, though usually, he would have been feeding on it like a gossiping hag. “I simply don’t have the energy to do more than collapse in that chair and take a nap.”

“Why?” I blinked.

A guilty look flashed over Shay’s face. “I may have taken too much energy.”

“It was worth it.” Rainn yawned. “Though I haven’t felt this tired since I reached my own magical majority.”

Shay turned back to me. “Sorry, princess, it’s your time to shine.”

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