Page 152 of The Demon Tide

To kissher.

He resists the urge to wince.

Tierney’s eyes widen, but she frowns and shakes her head, huffing out a jaded sound as she eyes the necklaces with obvious discomfort. “Thurryy Nim handed these to me as a Xishlon gift. Mostly in jest, I think.”

“Likely not.” He gives her an arch smile. “You’re more than a bit sought-after.”

“All of my loves have been unrequited, Or’myr.” Tierney looks past him, scanning the lovestruck gardens like Or’myr surveys them—like someone perpetually on the outside looking in. She lifts the necklaces dismissively. “I’ve no interest in putting on one of these things and pursuing meaningless Xishlon kisses. Even if we weren’t poised on the brink of war, I’m not interested in a love who isn’t truly interested inme.” She stops, seeming abruptly mortified. “I... I don’t usually talk about such things.” She shoots a discomfited glance upward. “I think it’s the damned moon. None of this is important right now.”

The wash of moonlight suddenly loosens Or’myr’s tongue as well as he’s swept up in the urge to be honest with her. “It is a strange shift of focus, it’s true. But still, I could tell you of something completely requited, if that interests you.”

Tierney cocks a curious brow.

The words come out in a tumble like water from a breached dam. “I’m genuinely interested in you, Tierney’lin. You’re beautiful to be sure, but it’syouI’m drawn to. And...when our powers met in the sublands...it felt like the draw might be...mutual.” Shock descends over his own boldness, his heart clamping shut against the ill-guided risk he’s just taken.

You just called her “Tierney’lin”he realizes with no small amount of horror—Tierney my beloved.And worst of all, Tierney is now frozen, staring at him in obvious bewilderment.

Well done, Or’myr, he flays himself.You’ve just destroyed your friendship.

Tierney’s gaze narrows, her expression shifting to one of warm speculation. Which takes him completely off guard.

“I do find you attractive, Or’myr,” she allows.

Surprise overtakes him, his heartbeat jumping into a harder rhythm. “You do?”

She nods, coloring a bit. “I never really considered it before...until our powers met in the sublands. That was...quite the sensation.” She gives him a heated look before she turns and furrows her brow at the passing crowds, seeming like she’s tussling with her own thoughts for a moment. “Oh, hells,” she says, boldly meeting his gaze once more. “You intrigue me, Or’myr. You’re so aloof...and mysterious.” Her eyes glint with amusement. “Such a reclusive figure, with that secret Vonor of yours and all your unique geo-magery power that nobody completely understands but you.” A spark of intense emotion lights her gaze. “And youcare. You care what happens to the people fleeing here. You care about a lot more than just yourself and don’t sort people into rigid categories.”

Or’myr coughs out a laugh, cynical amusement cutting through his bedazzlement. “Well, I don’t exactly fall into a rigid category myself.”

“Which adds depth to your character,” Tierney insists. “I really like that about you.” Her gaze shifts into a different kind of intensity, warmth sparking on the air between them that sends a tingle down Or’myr’s spine. “I’ve given fleeting thought to kissing you.” An affectionate smile lifts her lips. “I imagine it would be quite nice.”

Reality descends, shattering the lovely promise of the moment and Or’myr huffs out a bitter sound. “Actually, I imagine it would be pretty awful.”

Tierney draws back with obvious offense.

“You misunderstand me,” Or’myr clarifies, an acrid regret cutting through him. “The fact is, it’s awful to kissme. I’ve a great deal of fire power, and it’s magnified by my geomancy. And...it’s in my kiss.” His longing intensifies, everything in him wishing he could sweep her into his arms and carry her into the grove’s sweet shadows. “I’ve been told that my kiss feels like a bolt of lightning. It’s the bane of my existence. Well, that and the threat of worldwide Gardnerian supremacy. But the damned Xishlon moon seems to render that trivial this eve.”

Tierney studies Or’myr, the lavender moonlight dancing over her changeable lake-blue hue. “Is your kiss actually harmful?” she asks, a speculative glint in her eyes.

Renewed surprise washes over Or’myr as he realizes that she might still be entertaining the possibility of kissing him right here, right now, despite what he’s just told her. Fire magic shivers through his lines, his mind falling into a muddled daze. “No,” he manages. “It’s a phantom affinity sensation.”

“Here,” Tierney says, and she holds out one of the violet necklaces. “If ever there was a night for purple lightning, this is it.”

Or’myr looks at the necklace, a breathless, swoony feeling overtaking him. “Tierney...are you aware of the necklaces’ effect? They’re said to enhance the moon’s draw...”

Tierney blows out an incredulous sound. “You really believe that? I think they’re simply moon trinkets. But even if there’s something to it, they’ll give us an excuse to kiss each other and then...blame it on the necklaces.”

A laugh escapes Or’myr, his heartbeat tripping in his chest as he accepts the Xishlon’lure. Runic energy tingles over his fingers as he touches the chain, and when he looks back at Tierney, he notes, in wonderment, that there’s a serious light in her eyes.

And warmth.

Warmth forhim.

“On the count of three,” Tierney says with a shy smile. She raises the chain over her head and Or’myr does the same, feeling as if he’s about to take a dive off a cliff. “One, two...three.”

Or’myr slips the necklace on at the same time she does.

A rush of intense want hits him, coursing straight through his blood, the Xishlon moon’s pull to loving honesty intensified a thousandfold. Words flood out of him in a passionate rush.

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