Page 58 of The Darkest Night

Mae looked up, surprised. Her heart throbbed.

Even though the man smiling at her was upside down, she could tell he was drop-dead gorgeous. His reddish-brown eyes twinkled warmly as he met her stare, his hair a luxurious flaxen color where it framed his charismatic face in overlong strands.

Mae realized her head was on his thighs. Not that she cared. Her gaze moved to his lips. They were full and perfectly formed. She realized she was dying to kiss him.

The stranger’s eyes flared, pupils flashing crimson.

Lust made her pulse skitter. She reached up and tugged him down, his nape scorching her fingers where they touched.

“That’s enough!”

Mae flinched and froze.Wait! What the hell was I just about to do?!

She snatched her hand away, shocked at her wanton behavior.

Nikolai was on his feet, his expression furious.

The blond man sighed and straightened. “My queen and I were just about to share our first kiss.” He raised an eyebrow at Nikolai, his eyes cold. “I would be grateful if you could refrain from interrupting us, mongrel.”

Mae bolted upright and shifted from the stranger’s side, the pull of attraction she was feeling for him still present, if somewhat moderated by her magic. She shuffled to the opposite end of the sofa and clutched Brimstone defensively against her chest.

The fox’s growl intensified.

The stranger ignored the familiar and stretched a hand toward her, an alluring smile curving his beautiful lips. “It’s alright, my queen. You can stay by my side.”

His pupils glowed with fire.

Desire slammed into Mae. She leaned toward him.

Brimstone spat at the blond, hackles rising.What you are experiencing is not real, Mae.He has incubus blood flowing through him!

Mae blinked and stilled. “Incubus? Those things exist?”

The blond man’s eyes flared in surprise. His gaze dropped to the fox.

An angry snarl erupted at his feet.

Mae registered the white tiger who’d been sleeping on the floor. The beast had raised his head and was baring his teeth at Brimstone, the challenge on his face clear. She swallowed and looked at the stranger.

They’re the ones who stopped me!

“How did you do that?” she mumbled. “How did you curb my powers?!”

The blond sat back and sighed, looking a little hurt that she’d chosen not to take his hand. “My magic and yours are similar.”

Mae stared, nonplussed. “Come again?”

A sinful smile stretched his lips, his eyelids drooping as he focused on her mouth. “I would love for both of us to experience that as soon as possible, but we have company.” He popped the first button on his shirt, his voice dropping an octave. “Unless you don’t mind some hedonistic voyeurism, in which case I’ll be happy to oblige.”

Mae flushed, her gaze locking on his fingers and the tantalizing glimpse of muscular, toned chest he was threatening to bare. She gulped.

Gird your loins, my bond,Hellreaver warned.You must resist his bewitching charms!

The weapon’s magic and Brimstone’s power flooded her, dampening her lust.

“You know as well as I do that’s not what I meant,” she said between gritted teeth when she could speak again, fighting his glamor as best she could.

“He’s a cambion,” Bryony stated sourly.

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