Page 95 of The Unseelie Court

The barest contact sent a jolt through her entire body. Her hands came up, intending to push him away, but instead she clutched the lapels of his coat, pulling him closer.

“I suppose I should earn the title, then, shouldn’t I?” He zeroed the distance between them.

Their lips met fully this time, and it was like touching lightning—electric, dangerous, exhilarating. His mouth was like fire against hers, his taste intoxicating. The kiss deepened, his hand tangling in her hair, holding her against him with a strength that should have frightened her.

Instead, she wanted more. Craved more.Neededmore. Even as alarm bells screamed in the back of her mind.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Ava felt dizzy, disoriented.

“What is happening to me?” she whispered, her voice shaking

Serrik’s eyes were almost black now, only a thin ring of gold remaining around the pupils. “The same thing that is happening to me, little butterfly.” His voice was rough, strained. “The Web binds us together, strand by strand. The more power you claim, the stronger our connection grows. I, the architect—you, the vessel.”

“So you can control me?”

“So we can control it.” He gestured to the library around them. “Together.”

She shook her head, trying to clear it. “I don’t believe you.”

“You do not have to.” His thumb traced her lower lip, still sensitive from their kiss. “But answer me this, Ava—if I wished only to hollow you out, to make you an empty vessel for power, why would I risk this?” He indicated the space between them, charged with something far more complex than simply magic or manipulation.

It was a good question. One she didn’t have an answer for.

“I won’t be used. Not by you. Not by anyone.”

“Good.” He smiled, and for a moment, she glimpsed something genuine in his expression. “I would expect nothing less.”

The dream began to fade around them, the library dissolving into mist, his touch growing less substantial.

“The second key awaits you in the Broken City.” His voice followed her as she drifted back toward consciousness. “Be wary, little butterfly. Not all forgotten things wish to be remembered.”

“Wait,” she called, reluctant to leave despite herself. “Tell me the truth. Just once.”

His eyes were the last thing to fade.

“I already have.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

It took them, exactly as Bitty had predicted, half a day to reach the Broken City.

Ava had expected the journey to be longer, but the Web seemed unusually cooperative, its twisting corridors and warping landscapes guiding them rather than hindering them. That worried her more than any obstacle could have.

“It’s like it wants us to get there.” She squinted into the daylight as they emerged from a tunnel formed by intertwined tree branches and vines.

Or, it was trying to shorten the amount of time she had to dwell on the fact that Serrik had kissed her.

Holy shit, that kiss.

It was really,really hard notto dwell on it. Because it had been unlike anything she’d ever experienced before in her life.

And all she wanted was to know what else he was capable of.

Not to mention the sick, twisted part of her that was curious what it was like to have sex with him in his true f?—

Bitty’s wings fluttered nervously. “The Web never wants anything good.”

Maybe it wanted good things for her, now that she was…becoming part of it. That was a miserable thought. The more it was helping her, the more it meant she wasless herself.

---