Page 8 of A Sea of Secrets
“That’d be right,” she said. “Nothing is ever easy.”
“We’ll get him,” I told her. “I promise.”
We paused at an intersection in the hedge, noting the slime on the ground. “Thanks for going after him.”
“Don’t mention it,” I replied, rubbing the side of my head. “Really. Is your sister…?”
Fallon shook her head. “She didn’t make it.”
“Ahh. I’m sorry for your… loss.”
She nodded, her lips a thin line. “Where do you think we are?” she asked, abruptly changing the subject as she rolled her shoulders and glanced around before taking the slime-free path to the left.
“In a maze.”
“No shit,” she scoffed, making another turn. “Any ideas of where said maze is? Or what it leads to?”
I was glad the conversation shifted away from feelings. I was no good at the emotional shit and I’d probably fuck up if I tried. Fallon seemed to know where she was going, and I was in no position to argue. I liked a good puzzle or code to crack, but anything to do with direction was not a good time. I relied on technology or landmarks to gauge my whereabouts. This place was nothing but hedges, and I wasn’t exactly an adept tracker.
I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my black ripped jeans and shrugged. Unlike the other trials, we’d been left in the clothes we wore when we fell unconscious, not a jumpsuit in sight. “Does it matter? We could be in the middle of DamasconHollow for all we know. The magic of this place could be hiding anything.”
“Speaking of magic, do you have yours?” she asked, looking up at me with her bright copper eyes.
I shook my head. “You?”
“Nope, and I don’t have my wings either,” she replied with a frown. Her lips pouted distractingly. “At least we’re no longer alone, so that’s a positive...”
The princess kept talking, but I found myself struggling to concentrate. Those damn lips. I couldn’t help but remember where they had been and how they had moved against my dick and—
“Ace?” she snapped with her hands on her hips.
“Yeah?”
“Are you listening to me?”
“Sure,” I replied, running a hand through my dark hair.
I was lost and at her mercy. A place I wasn’t keen on being. I liked being in control and Fallon having any power over me only made me want to pin her down and show her who was really in charge. I chuckled to myself, knowing full well that she wouldn’t complain if I did. The princess enjoyed being dominated, and I fucking loved having my way with her.
“What did I say then?” she asked with a smirk. She knew damn well I hadn’t been listening.
“That my dick is huge. Best you’ve ever had.”
She rolled her eyes, her smirk shifting into a broad smile. So fucking beautiful. “I was actually thanking you.”
“You’re fucking welcome.” I winked. “When we get back to the academy I’ll give you another ride.”
“Ace! Stop talking about your dick. I mean it.” She sighed, then turned her back to me, striding away. My eyes went straight to her ass.
Concentrate, you fucking idiot.
There was no point denying that Fallon was distractingly hot, but I was no lovesick puppy. Something about Fallon was messing with my head, and I needed to snap out of it asap.
Jogging to Fallon’s side, I placed my hand on the small of her back.
“Look, I’m not a feelings sort of guy, you know?” I began. “I keep that shit locked down. What I am good at is fighting. And I’ve decided to stop fighting for myself and fight for you instead. Whatever my future holds, you’re in it.” That was as close to a declaration of emotion as she was likely to get from me.
“Okay,” she said with a nod, not looking my way.
