Page 60 of Broken Lands

Opening my eyes, I looked directly at him, searching for any hint that he might betray me and let this information fall into the wrong hands. James had trusted him, which meant I did too. When I didn’t find any, I nodded.

“Yeah, I think Kala might be my father.”

“Holy shit. That would make you a fucking demi-god.”

Chapter thirty-one

Riley

“Cheers,”Beeclinksherglass against mine from where she’d sat perched on the edge of the bathtub. Her smile was infectious, excited energy leaking from her in droves. “Gosh, I can’t wait to dance the night away and just let loose.”

Contrary to her bright, bubbly personality, Bee had worn a short black strapless dress to tonight’s dance. Her short hair was pulled back from her face and pinned in an elegant knot at the back of her head, a few loose curls framing her face. Her green eyes were sparkling with excitement as she waited for me to finish getting ready.

“Mmmhmm, I bet you can’t,” I said, taking a small sip of faerie wine before placing my glass on the sink. The orange and strawberry flavor washed over my tongue, and I sighed, memories of my first taste at B station washing over me.

Leaning forward, I squinted into the mirror and lined my eyes with kohl. “Surely it has nothing to do with a certain someone agreeing to be your date?”

“It has everything to do with her, Riley. I can’t believe we’ve never met before. I could kill Colin for not thinking to introduce us! I’m so glad you did. I…” Bee sighed contentedly, before catching my eye in the mirror and shooting a love-struck grin at me. “Thank you. I like her a lot. It’s been a while since I’ve felt that way.”

“Glad to be of service.” Spinning to face her, blinking my lashes excessively. “How do I look?”

My dress was also strapless, though it was much longer than Bee’s, the bottom of it just brushing the floor. The sage green silk hugged my curves in all the right places, a slit up the side coming almost to the very top of my thigh. The color really brought out the olive tone of my skin and made my hazel eyes seem more green than brown. A braid wrapped around the top of my head like a crown, the rest of it falling in soft waves down my back. The style was a nod to the way Lincoln had worn his own hair the day we’d met.

“Like a freaking goddess.”

The words washed over me, sending an icy shiver down my spine, and I stiffened. I’d told Bee about the note from James that I’d discovered with Garner, the shadows I’d wielded when learning to control my air with Stefan, and that I suspected that I was somehow connected to Kala, the god of darkness and keeper of souls.

It wasn’t much more than a week ago that I believed I was human. Processing all the new information and clues to my past and my power while also trying to figure out what the hell had happened to James was a lot. It was overwhelming and I needed to escape it for a little while.

“Sorry, Riley. I didn’t mean… Let’s not dwell on it. Wewillwork out the prophecy. We’ll find where The Resistance is keeping James and bring him home. And then we’ll figure out your heritage. Let’s enjoy tonight first.”

Grinning at her, I let myself relax, rolling my shoulders in an attempt to let go of the stress I’d been carrying.

“Yes, let’s go dance the night away.” I winked at her while taking another sip of wine. The familiar warmth was spreading through my body, making me feel lightheaded and giddy already.

We left the bathroom and headed out of our room and down the hallway to the landing, where we’d agreed to meet Lincoln.

We moved through the double doors and my eyes found him instantly, his back to us as he leant against the balustrade and stared out at the ocean. It was dusk, the sun setting out over the ocean, the sky a kaleidoscope of colors.

It really was beautiful, and my heart ached at the thought that these lands were dying, that one day soon this view might not exist anymore.

My gaze didn’t linger on the view for long, the man in front of me drawing my attention more completely than a pretty sunset could. He was wearing simple navy-blue slacks and a white shirt, and his long honey blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I couldn’t help but run my eyes over the lean muscles of his back as they flexed against his shirt.

My connection with Lincoln had been instant. The moment our eyes met, I’d felt a tug in my chest drawing him to me. It was an easy attraction. He was soft, kind, and gentle. Nothing like his father, King Ronan. I was more than eager to spend more time with him and explore the attraction between us. Maybe we really were mates.

Bee cleared her throat, giving me a knowing look as she stepped past me and made her way down the grand staircase. The dance was to be held in the dining room. Fae had been in and out all day as they transformed the space. First years had not been allowed in. It was, after all, a celebration of them, of their awakening and their introduction to the academy and learning to control their new powers.

Stefan had seemed to be in charge, barking orders at the older students and fae and offering me a quick kiss as he rushed around earlier today. He’d been very tightlipped about what to expect. I couldn’t wait to see how the space looked. Imagining it as more than just a cafeteria was difficult.

Lincoln turned as Bee disappeared down the stairs, his eyes locking on me immediately. The world around us seemed to disappear as his navy eyes landed on my face, then trailed slowly down my body, lingering on the small swell of cleavage revealed by the bodice of my gown, tracing the lines of my waist and hips before raising back up to my face.

A wide grin broke across his face, those midnight eyes sparkling as he closed the distance between us.

“You look good enough to eat,” he growled, a small squeak escaping me as he swept me into his arms and crushed his lips down on mine.

This kiss differed from our first. The passion, desire, and heat were all still present, but Lincoln moved slower, really taking his time to taste me. Sinking into him and wrapping my arms, I submitted to him, parting my lips as his tongue swiped across them.

His teeth nipped at my bottom lip, and I moaned, a rush of heat flooding to my core, making me want him, want more of this. His mouth was on my jaw, my neck, that sensitive spot near my ear. I dipped my head back, a whimper escaping me as a haze of lust wrapped itself around me.

---