Page 41 of Phoenix Falling
“No.” She turned her head to answer him. “I understand that it adds to the danger to our people, but these women deserve to have things explained to them first, to have a chance to understand and choose before they are snatched out of their lives.”
“And if they don’t choose to join us?” James asked quietly. His ancient eyes swirled with understanding.
Nala spread her hands out to her sides. “I honestly don’t know. I’m not naive enough to believe they can protect themselves as lifelong targets of the Anigma. I only know that my heart and my gut tell me this is the way to proceed.”
Rissa popped into my head. What would it be like for her if she were approached, if she found out her entire life was changing with no choice in the matter? Not that she was a candidate, no matter how much I wished she were one of us and not fully human. “I understand your point, and your concern, Nala,” I told the psych. “I don’t want to rush into this decision. I would like a couple of days to think about it. Can you give me that?”
She seemed surprised that I would ask. “Of course, my king.”
I couldn’t hold back the frown then. I tried to minimize it but, if Grim’s expression was anything to go by, didn’t succeed. “Good. Now let’s get down to details about what we need to teach our males.”
ChapterSeventeen
RISK
I’d heard from Sun several times in the past week—as Rissa, not Risk—but given the news I’d delivered to him and his warriors Saturday at the club, I assumed he was busy putting out fires. But he’d texted tonight while I was watching a movie with Raine, and now I waited on what I was beginning to think of as my bench outside the Hermitage for him to arrive.
Eagerness rushed through my veins. I hadn’t forgotten the feel of Sun’s kiss, the sensation of his arms capturing me, holding me close, lifting me to meet him. Holding me off the ground like some he-man—and yes, I was female enough to go weak in the knees at the thought of some man literally sweeping me off my feet. When I thought about it, it was hard to describe how it felt to be so completely taken over, that not even my weight was my own anymore. Complete relief. Complete trust.
And that’s what terrified me. Because I knew that sex would just make that emotion even stronger. I wasn’t ready, not then and probably not now. Luckily Sun seemed to accept that.
Sun didn’t approach from Sixth Avenue and Union Street this time. He came from my right, rounding the corner from Commerce and charging along the 6thAve sidewalk as if on a mission. He never walked like a normal person at a normal pace, except when he was with me. That night, walking to the Diner, he’d taken my hand, and there had been no rush, no hurry. No sense that he had a mission to accomplish. Just the two of us spending time together.
What mission was he on now? To get to me?
Need shot through me, landing in spots that really shouldn’t get any warmer. Just looking at Sun made me warm enough.
“Rissa.”
Scratch that. Looking at him and the way he said my name warmed me up, lady parts definitely included. Let’s face it: I was a goner. Might as well accept it now, because if Sun really pushed it, I wasn’t sure there was anything I would deny him when he said my name that way. “Hey.”
I stood, holding out my hand on instinct. Sun took it and drew me close, right into his arms for a kiss. His lips were warm, firm, taking. And oh, how I wanted him to take.
I missed you too,I said silently.
When I opened my eyes, it was to a silver swirl in Sun’s irises. The color fascinated me. He fascinated me now that I’d let myself truly see him. “How have you been?”
Instead of sitting down, Sun tugged me beneath his arm, as natural as breathing, holding me hard up against him while he continued in the direction he’d originally been headed. “It’s been a shitshow.”
I could only imagine. I squeezed his waist, glorying in the heat of him against me. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.”
I hesitated, then decided to go for broke. “Would it help to tell me about it?”
I really shouldn’t ask—something about it felt deceptive, as if asking Sun to reveal secrets the other me wasn’t supposed to know. But that wasn’t it at all. I wanted to share something of his life, if that was even possible.
In the light cast from the streetlamps and venues we passed, I saw his lips tighten. Probably nothing he wanted to risk sharing with an outsider. But in the next breath he said, “My father died.”
I jerked to a stop in the center of the sidewalk, forcing him to stop with me. “What?”
His eyes were in shadow, hiding all emotion as he stared down at me. “My father died.”
“God, Sun.” Sliding my arms around his waist, I dragged him close, every thought pushed away except to offer him comfort. I couldn’t imagine—I’d never known my own father, but the devastation I’d experienced when my foster family was murdered had nearly destroyed me, and I’d known them less than a year. How long had Sun’s father been alive? “I’m so sorry.”
“Not your—”
“Don’t tell me it’s not my fault.” I tipped my chin up, giving him a firm look. “I’m not apologizing for something I did. I’m offering sympathy for something I know hurt you.”
