Page 43 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
“The meeting did not go well?”
“It went as expected.”
“Hm.” So Legion voted Puck in as the next member of the Shining Host. “And now?”
“Now we let him do his thing while we do ours.”
Our gazes settle on Willow, walking and looking around with curiosity. I catch her hand snake out whip-fast and nab something dangling from a Radiant’s belt. It disappears into her fist so deftly I’d be forgiven into thinking my eyes deceived me.
“She should not be so brazen,” I growl.
“Let her enjoy the anonymity,” Legion says, “every eye in the kingdom and beneath will be watching her soon.”
“I will mark her somewhere all can see.” The surge of hot, possessiveness is sudden and brutal.
“Not yet,” he replies calmly, studying her with bright curiosity. “We have much to make amends for. Fox opened herfragile heart to us, but to keep her trust, we must take care of her, listen to her desires, and give her what she needs.”
“Then it is fortunate you have the spectacles,” I grumble begrudgingly. “You are the best for a job requiring patience.”
If it were up to me, I would eat her alive. I would start my meal between her legs, where that tantalizing scent is strongest, then?—
He grabs my arm. “Not I, brother. You.”
“Me what?”
“You will see to her desires.”
“I know nothing about her needs.” I only know what I hunger for.
“So ask her.” He cocks his head. “Listen. If necessary, I will fill in the gaps.”
“She is a distraction,” I remind him.
“A good one.”
“We don’t know the meaning of good.”
“You’ve simply forgotten.” His lips curve. “She will remind you.” His eyes deviate with a low warning growl. I follow his line of sight and realize that while we’ve been admiring Willow, so has every other hot-blooded male in the vicinity.
My fists clench at my sides. I should have noticed she was being watched. There is no such thing as agooddistraction.
Flashes of gold from her sunkissed hair shine in my eyes.In the darkness of my blink, I see yellow feathers spattered with blood. An unbearable feeling of grief paralyzes me, and I don’t know why.
Legion’s attentive eyes search mine. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“We may not share minds, Bodin, but I know you well enough to see that is a lie.”
“I said I’m fine.” I sharpen my gaze on our surroundings. The burn of his attention paints the side of my face, but I keepwalking. Our conversation has caused a gap between Calamity and us.
I may not have full access to my memories or gifts, but I can still do my job. I can still protect. I can instill fear into mortal minds with a single glare. And those leering at her? They’ve seen me in action on the battlefield. If not, they’ve heard about me. They’ll stay away from us if they know what’s good for them.
It’s been a while since I visited this place, but my vague memories always end in debauchery and trouble—the former for other patrons but the latter for me. At the time, I believed my lack of interest in sex was battle weariness. My emotions were too frayed.
My gaze inadvertently gravitates to Willow’s swinging hips. One whiff of her scent makes me hard. But her mouth, voice, and taste make me obsessed with wanting more. It seems irrational for a single person to affect me so viscerally so soon after meeting.
Despite what Legion believes, this is the danger I must contain, for once it is let out, there is no holding it back. She will be crushed, like the gold feathers I often see behind my eyelids. The thought sends a chill down my spine, a premonition of tragedy I cannot shake.
