Page 125 of The Storm of the Empire

“Move in,” I said out of the blue as we closed the suite door.

“What makes you think I haven’t?” He smirked, and it was good to see that Luka grin back in place.

I looked around for signs he had brought his things while I wasn’t paying attention.

“I mean I haven’t, like, brought all my meagre possessions, but you aren’t getting rid of me. Ever. So technically, that means I live here now.”

I laughed, feeling light for the first time in…forever. “Well, good, because I don’t want to get rid of you. So go and get your meagre possessions and make it official.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, right now!”

While he was gone I drew a bath for us both and made some space for his clothes. My ryder, my mate, was not going anywhere, and if I had to defy the Goddess herself, I would not let her take him from me.

I heard him come in the door as I got into the bath as a little surprise for him to find. But minutes passed, and I didn’t hear him moving around the room.

“Luka?”

Silence.

“Luka, was that you?” I stood, grabbing my towel and wrapping it around myself before leaving the bathing chamber to investigate.

I scanned the room, seeing nothing. Maybe my ears were playing tricks on me.

But then the hollow voice broke through, and I saw him on the floor, back arched up like he was possessed by a demon sent from the underworld.

And then he screamed.

FORTY-ONE

LUKA

“You’re too far.”

“I’m fine.”

“I feel you slipping.” She’d become very attuned to how much of myself went into the visions. I almost had to be there with them, which meant leaving my body and leaving all I was. We fought for my mind. It wanted to immerse myself in the vision while she wanted to hold me back. It left my head spinning while the vision remained no more than trying to peer through a murky lake.

I almost wished they’d all just let me sink into them. Even if it brought on madness, at least I wouldn’t feel like I was barely awake most of my days and denying vital parts of myself.

“It’s gone.” I stumbled backwards, and my shoulders met cool stone. I slid to a seat, calling it good enough until my head stopped spinning.

“Are you okay?” She reached for me.

I held up a hand. “Fine. Just a little dizzy.”

“You’re frustrated.”

“I am. You keep stopping it. It’s almost as bad as a ruined orgasm.”

Hazel winced, but laughter sounded from somewhere near the door. I picked up my head to figure out who it belonged to.

Faolan stood at the entrance to the training room. “Nothing worse than a ruined orgasm.”

“This is a close second.”

“I don’t envy you.” He ventured further into the room, looking between us. “Something tells me you could use a break.”

---