Page 11 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
They curtsy and lavish me with empty compliments. As they reach the door’s threshold, I say sweetly, “Oh, and ladies.”
“Yes, my lord?” They face me together, their arms linked, their faces holding no hint of the respect they owe me. I was going to let them off with a warning for gossiping, but it’s clear they need a reminder of who Titania left in charge.
I summon magic, feel it gush into my veins, and then flick their eyebrows from their bewildered faces. Lumps of multicolored hair land like caterpillars on the greenery. Before their shock morphs into outrage, I waggle my finger and smirk. “Tut-tut, ladies. You mustn’t complain or gossip. It lowers the tone, does it not?”
“Yes, my lord.”
An irritating itch crawls across my cheek as I wait for their curtsies. I scratch at it absently, feeling something gritty beneath my nails. Frowning, I examine my fingertips, finding a fine, sand-like substance. For a moment, unease trickles down my spine. But no—it must be nothing more than dried sweat or debris from the overgrown vines.
To the ladies, I gesture for them to leave.
“Ensure you return daily,” I remind them. “Our queen would be horrified to wake in such subterranean conditions. And ladies . . . we are smiling, yes?”
Chapter 5
Willow
“Wake up, sleepy wolf.”
The familiar voice tugs me closer to the realm of awakening. I shimmy backward, deeper into Fox’s embrace. His arms feel so safe, like when he held me in the bath, a warm cocoon I never want to leave.
“Little wolf.”
“Not yet,” I whine.
His grip tightens around my stomach, and his hard body presses along the length of my spine. The insistent ridge of his erection digs into my bottom, seeking. Hot lips drop to the sensitive spot beneath my ear and give a low alpha growl that has my entire body heating. But I’m a stubborn bitch. I like to play with Fox as much as he baits me. So, I pretend to be asleep.
“Ooh,”he purrs into my mind.“Is that a challenge?”
Unable to repress my smile, I press my face to the pillow and shake my head. “Maybe I actually want to sleep.”
“Pet, I accept.”
His hand glides down my stomach. It doesn’t have to go far to find the edge of his bunched shirt and slip beneath. The warm graze of his palm leaves fire in its wake as it glides up toward my naked breast. He pinches my nipple and rolls it between his finger and thumb, tweaking and teasing until a pleasure-filled groan escapes me. Damn it.
“We can’t,” I pant.
“Why not?”
“I’ve already slept in. I’m sure Bodin said something about training at dinner last night.”
“He doesn’t look too upset.”
Bodin stands beside the bed, looming over us. When did he arrive?
I should feel embarrassed at being watched like this, but that’s not the feeling tingling in my body. Bodin’s heated gaze tracks Fox’s roaming hand to my breast and squeezes. His eyes darken when I moan.
“Ask him to join in, pet.”
A wave of need barrels through me.
“Bodin?” I breathe. “When did you get here?”
His eyes clash with mine and widen. For a hot, arousing moment, I think he’ll slip into bed with us. Eyes filled with curious longing linger on my body, but then he clears his throat and steps back. It’s then I realize the shape of his body isn’t entirely in focus. Shadows blur around his broad shoulders as though they’re trying to pull him away. The darkness tries to consume him. Panic flutters in my chest.
Suddenly, the scene shifts. The warm, comforting bed dissolves, replaced by cold stone beneath my feet. The air grows thick with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid tang of fear. I’m no longer in the safety of Fox’s arms or under Bodin’s watchful gaze. Instead, I stand in a dimly lit chamber, my hands sticky with crimson.
Nero’s voice, smooth as silk but sharp as a blade, cuts through the silence.“Again. Show me what you’ve learned.”
