Page 79 of Hunted By Darkness

It’d only been a week since Nika came out of her recovery sleep. I’d been securing several properties with her in mind. I didn’t want Nika to want for anything. I wanted her life to be what she chose, so the lad helped me with choosing all the things she loved.

It bothered me I didn’t know them myself, but I wasn’t a shameless sod incapable of asking for help. I’d destroy every bit of pride if it made my rebel happy.

It’d been rather chaotic because dealing with Normies wasn’t a strong skill of mine. Maude and Dick were gems, though. Theyhelped me settle a few of the finer things, like a location that’d work for all our needs.

Nika had a soft spot for the head squatters and the cute wanker. It was irritating to admit, but they’d become something of a family to her the way Maude and Dick had for me. She wouldn’t want to be far from them, so I bought several properties close to each other. Not obscenely close, but close enough.

The lad had his own fortune, and he refused to let me pay, but the other two were plonkers without a penny to their name. Nika wouldn’t leave them to fend for themselves, so I’d prove that I was an honorable bloke and take care of her in all the ways important.

Still, my bird hadn’t been quite herself. Of course, she put on a brave face, but grief was hard to come out of, especially when it was for more than one person. And despite living for decades, this was the first she’d lived without other people telling her how to do it. A boat lost at sea and all that. She was out of sorts, and I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed.

Hopefully, tonight would change that a bit. I was about to make an absolute arse out of myself, but if all went to plan, it’d be worth it.

I expelled a shaky breath and fixed my cloak, the usual mask affixed to my face as I waited. I hadn’t been this nervous since I’d told the gorgeous nymph I loved her. What if I blubbered like a troll or forgot how to speak words as I often did around my goddess?

Over a bottle of whiskey, I’d gotten candid with the lad. I told him what I wanted to do. I expected taunting and jeering, but his green eyes lit up, and the lad had been quick to offer an idea. Forget that we were absolutely off our faces, but it was a shameless one. Even I couldn’t hide my surprise whenhe suggested it. Little bugger was as diabolical as they came. Possibly a bit sadistic.

It made a bloke wonder how he’d figured us out, but then again, the Fae had something of a tradition once upon a time. One that included a full moon and chase through the woods. As far as I knew, they didn’t do it much anymore. But one thing I was certain—I’d definitely underestimated the lad more times than I could count, that moment included.

Looking down, I took out the list I’d written in silver. It wasn’t the usual list. This one had everything I wanted to say to my bird, just in case I got tongue-tied or was out of breath after…

“What’s gotten into you tonight?” I heard my bird twitter angrily at the lad. “And why the fuck am I wearing this? Where are you taking me?”

“It’s not me who’s taking you,” Lev said, pushing her out into the light after finding some smart way to send the other two nosy sods out for the night. “Have fun, you two!”

My jaw was nearly on the floor when I caught sight of her, and I was tempted to cut out the middle man and just have my fun with her somewhere no one could see. But the game was afoot, and I’d be damned if I didn’t see it through.

This needed to be a night she’d never forget.

Her eyes traced my cloaked form, suspicious. “Why are you wearing that?”

I didn’t answer her, just offered her a hand. She crossed her arms over her chest, her breasts practically spilling out of the corset she wore. See-through tulle made up the rest of the glittery black dress. Her hair had been curled and tucked back with glistening gems. She could’ve been Lilith herself for how swiftly the mere sight of her put me under a spell.

Her bare feet slipped out from under a thick ring of tulle as she walked forward. Cautious, she tilted her head and her tongue dashed across her rose-colored lips. My cock couldn’thave chosen a worse time to be stiff and uncompliant. Though, I couldn’t blame the monster in my trousers. My rebel looked like the gorgeous prima ballerina of a dark and seductive play.

“Where are we going?”

“Do you trust me, love?” I asked her, my voice all bedroom.

She took my hand and rolled her eyes. “You know I do.”

The mischievous grin I wore was hidden behind my mask. “Then follow me into the woods, little rebel.”

I led the beauty to the edge of the forest, and she peered around as if she’d figure out what I meant to do. But unless she was a scholar in the old ways—which Lev assured me she wasn’t—she’d be clueless. The practice dated back thousands of years.

I crept behind her and leaned forward. “Now run, little rebel.”

Scoffing, Nika tossed me a glance from over her shoulder, purple curls adorned with gems shifting across her pale skin. “What?”

“Run,” I growled.

I heard her pulse spike. “Run?”

“If you don’t, I’ll fuck you right here where everyone will see. But if you run, you stand a chance at escaping. Don’t hold back, little rebel. I certainly won’t,” I warned, softening my voice to the point of a whisper.

I could see the challenge glint in her eyes as she weighed whether or not to argue, but then she was gone.

I closed my eyes and folded my arms, waiting.

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