I smirked. “No…but twice does. And you just said it for the second time.”
She pulled her knees close to her body, sucking in her smile as she shook her head, looking away.
I raised my hands in defeat, the joint still in hand. “You're right. You really are just an uptight princess.”
Heralmond gaze darted to mine, and her lip curled as she plucked the dagga from my hand, pressed it to her lips, and sucked.
And sucked.
My eyes widened. “Era, that's too much—”
She pulled the joint away from her mouth and began coughing violently, the smoke slipping from her lips.
Quickly, I snatched the dagga, stubbing it out on the tree trunk, and began patting her back as she choked out, “Can't. Breathe!”
I was an asshole for the giggle that escaped me. Her furious gaze shot to mine, and she coughed so hard she gagged.
I grasped her chin, my thumb pulling her bottom lip down, and I leaned in close, my mouth hovering above hers.
The gesture made my heart flutter, especially as her wide-eyed gaze found mine. My lips were just an inch away from kissing her.
I used my magic, sucking the air—the smoke—from her lungs into mine, clearing it back to normal just as my hand trailed down her neck, resting against her chest. My palm didn't burn, but there was a slight tingle. I let the glow out, healing the minor inflammation in her lungs.
Her coughing ceased.
“Better?” I asked.
“You're an asshole,” she breathed, but she didn't push me away.
My hand was still on her chest, and our lips were hovering so close. To an onlooker, we'd look like lovers about to devour one another.
I was high and not at all thinking clearly. I was grateful Roland and Hendry were checking in on Edmund, leaving no one to see us.
“I thought I was a dick?” I askedlowly.
She licked her lips. “That too.”
My smile grew, and I let myself tune into her.
Yep. She was high now. Usually, the first time didn't work, but the Warlock's version clearly did the trick. I certainly felt fucking amazing right now.
The desire she felt poured into me, washing over me like molten lava. But I enjoyed the burn. Ached for it.
Both of our chests were moving rapidly, our heartbeats in a race with one another.
Why did I feel this way when I was around her?
My thoughts drifted back to a conversation Viola and I had last evening.
“What are we, Vi?” I asked as we lay in our tent.
Her head had tilted to the side, and she shrugged. “Does it matter?” Her hands trailed down my arms. “If it feels good?”
I mentally blocked out her feelings, not wanting to feel desire right at this moment, even though my own was demanding my attention.
“You've been my friend for many years,” I said gently. “I just…I never felt this from you before.”
“We weren't on the run before…weren't fighting for our lives.”