Page 73 of The Daughters of Nyx

“What do you want from me, Rowan?” I asked, forcing myself to step away from him. But I couldn’t make myself look at him; instead, I kept my back to the mage, and focused on not breathing in his intoxicating scent.

Rowan released a shuddering breath. “Adrian didn’t tell the team about your magic. I suspected he knew, but he

wouldn’t tell me, because he wanted to protect you.Ifelt the magic flare, and told Maeve about it.”

Adrian didn’t give me up. I tried to swallow despite the lump forming in the back of my throat, but found the back of my eyes burning instead.

He tried to protect my secret. And I’d all but thrown that in his face. I was the fucking worst, wasn’t I?

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Thank you for telling me.”

“I’m sorry I gave you away,” he murmured. “But you have no idea how dangerous this is becoming.”

“I do.” Finally, I turned to take him in; the long-sleeved shirt he wore hugged his muscular figure, tucked into black jeans that hung from his hips. His red hair was messy, though I wondered if he purposefully styled it as such.

I met his stare. “I just needed a little more time, Rowan. That’s all I wanted.”

He blew out a breath and bowed his head. “Yeah, I know.” The mage took a hesitant step towards me, and lifted his eyes again to meet mine. We were standing close enough now that I could feel the heat of his body seep through my sweater. “My priority is keeping you safe.”

I nodded. “Your priority, or the mission’s?”

Rowan stiffened. He looked almost shocked that I’d asked that, but he shook his head after a moment of silence. “Ivy, look. I know I haven’t been the mostopensince you found out about all of this, but I just can’t—can’t give you what you need.”

Anger unfurled in my stomach at that. “How would you know what Ineed?” I asked, stepping into him. “You haveno ideawhat I—”

My breath caught in my throat as Rowan leaned in. Hand cupping my cheek, the other settled firmly on my hip, I had nowhere to go, and part of me didn’t want to leave his embrace. Not when his smouldering gaze flickered from my eyes to my parted lips.

What would it be like to kiss him? Rowan reminded me of passion, a burning need, and I felt that now in the pit of my stomach as his thumb brushed over my bottom lip, drawing a soft gasp from me.

His lips were a whisper against mine, a feather-light touch that sent a spark of electricity though my body. I wanted—no,needed—more.

The door to the apartment opened, breaking the spell between us. Rowan leapt away like he’d been burned, and that serious expression I’d seen only twice before shuttered over his features as he backed away.

Each breath I took shuddered through me as I turned to see who’d entered. I almost wish I hadn’t.

Adrian had his hand locked around the door-knob, knuckles white. Jaw clenched, his eyes were focused on me; I didn’t miss the flash of hurt that flickered in the green of his irises, nor the way he looked almost disappointed stumbling upon whateverthathad been between Rowan and I.

But I didn’t feel…shame, not in the way I should have. Maybe it was because I’d never expressed anything concrete with either of them. The old Ivy might have started apologising, but I couldn’t bring the words forward.

Had I done something wrong? Possibly. But did I owe either of them an explanation, after everything that’s happened?

Hell no.

Rolling my shoulders, I swallowed hard. “Is there something you need, Adrian?” I asked.

The hardness of my voice must have shocked him out of whatever thoughts he’d been consumed with, because he shook his head after a moment.

“Maeve needs to see all of us, Rowan. We need to start…preparations.”

I stiffened. Preparations toleave, was what he didn’t say.

Rowan didn’t look at me again as he bowed his head and stalked to the door. Adrian, however, sent me a look I couldn’t read, and as they both slipped out into the hallway, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d just fucked everything up for good.

26

IVY

NIGHTMARES crept like demons at the edges of my consciousness, clinging to my subconscious with talons as sharp as knives. The fleshy beast chased me still, with meaty arms outstretched, never to reach me because it would alter its course for the people I was unable to protect.

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