Page 73 of From Frost to Flame

“It was. I lost control because of the poison. I saw you in danger and my other side just swallowed me.” He met Lex’s eyes. “Did I frighten you?”

“Only because I didn’t know it was you. I thought you were in danger in the water.”

“That’s why you stopped running away. I wondered about that.” Silas smiled to himself. “You’re always trying to save me. It’s cute.” He laughed as Lex rolled his eyes at the compliment. “Any other questions?”

“So, if that was you, you still have tentacles, right? Is that okay for me to ask? I don’t mean to be rude.”

“It’s not rude.” Silas had the impulse to lie, but he swallowed it. “I do, but I hide them in my body for obvious reasons.”

“And the Rave—your mom said your ability to hide this part of you is fading. What does that mean?

“I think my physical form will change. It’s taking more concentration to hold those traits away. It’s honestly a bit headache-inducing. I haven’t had this much trouble maintaining my form since I was very young.”

“So, this isn’t natural for you?” He squinted. “Can I see you in your other form?”

Silas sat up and shook his head in disbelief. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Because I’d like to see the real you,” Lex said, sitting up and scooting closer to him on the blanket.

“This is the real me.” His words were harsher than he meant them to be. “I’m me now.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Lex said quickly. “I know this is you. I also know your other form is you, too. I’d like to see this part of you. Especially if trying to hide causes you pain. Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

“I didn’t mean to snap at you. I could show you, but I’m not pleasant to look at in that state. I don’t want to upset you.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Lex said, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. “If you’re not ready, that’s okay. I don’t need to see.”

“I guess it’s better in a controlled situation than if I lose control later,” he muttered, thinking it over. “Fine. I can show you, I guess. Stay here.” He got up and walked to the other side of the tent.

“Why are you so far away?” Lex asked as he crossed his legs and waited patiently.

“I don’t want to harm you if I get upset or something.” With a deep breath, Silas relaxed. The mental stream of control he always had humming in the back of his mind fell away. His six tentacles extended out from his back. They twitched and curled independently when he didn’t focus on them. His vision changed, shifting to black. Frost covered the fabric behind him and under his feet. “Well, this is it,” he said, wincing a little at the sound of his layered voice.

“Can I come closer now?”

“I suppose that’s fine, but if I tell you to back away, I need you to listen.” He looked down at Lex as he approached. A gentle hand caressed his cheek, and Silas forced himself to meet his eyes. His tentacles recoiled and trembled, betraying his fearful state as he braced for whatever he might say.Strange. Gross. Scary. Terrible.

“You’re so beautiful,” Lex said with breathy wonder.

“What?” Silas was stunned. He had been called a lot of things in this state. Beautiful wasn’t one of them.

“I can tell, somehow, that this is all of you,” Lex said, flashing a sweet smile. “I like this side of you.” He looked up at the thin, rope-like tentacles that stretched high over them both. “In the garden, you were a wolf with tentacles, and you have them now. So, they stay all the time in your natural state?”

“Unfortunately. I can’t shift in here to show you my wolf form. I’d be too big.”

“Right.” Lex noddedat one of the curling limbs. “Can I touch?”

“They’re cold,” he warned as he lowered one to him. Lex traced the underside of one tentacle with curious fingertips. A pulse of desire ran through him, and lust flooded every corner of his mind. He snatched Lex’s wrist away.

“I—I...” he stuttered, overwhelmed. “Sensitive. Too much.”

“Oh,” Lex said, tilting his head. “I didn’t know they were sensitive in that way. How interesting.”

“Neither did I.” Silas's face heated. “That has, uh, never happened before. They’ve never been touched like that.” He scanned Lex’s body.I need him. I need to touch him. He needs to be mine.

“Now we know,” Lex said, giggling a little. “You still with me?”

He tore his eyes off Lex’s legs and looked at his face. “Yes. Yes, I am...focused.”

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