Page 18 of The Light Falls
I sigh. He’s waiting for me to answer, but two can play that game.
Meri: …
Cormal: I didn’t have magic when I was born.
He didn’t have magic. I dismiss the idea immediately. Maybe he was one of the ones who didn’t get it until he matured.
Meri: Right.
Cormal: I was born human.
My mouth drops completely open. I’ve never heard of someone changing from human to supernatural unless they are bitten by a vampire or a shifter, and while Cormal might bite, he doesn’t have fangs. Human. The word bounces around in my head while I try to picture him without the power that clings to him like a second skin, but I simply can’t.
Even if he didn’t have magic, I doubt he’s ever been weak or defenseless. Not only is he entirely too arrogant, but I’ve seen him physically fight. I bite my lip as the image of him shirtless in the ring pops into my mind. It was brutal and sexy at the same time.
Meri: Why didn’t you tell me? I wouldn’t have felt so alone.
Cormal: Because you would have wanted to hear the whole sordid story.
Meri: True. I’ve always wanted to know more about you, but I’m finally realizing need and want are two completely different things. I don’t need to know. It’s late. I’m going to bed. I’ll ask Rivan for the rune tomorrow.
Cormal: …
But nothing ever comes across and the dots disappear. Same old Cormal with a slight twist. Human. The dynamic man I know who wields power so effortlessly started life without a drop of magic. Maybe that’s why he’s so prickly and secretive.
With a sigh, I close my eyes and follow the threads inside me. While we were in the city, I felt the tiniest pull on a string. I don’t know what it means, though. When I look, none of the gossamer threads tying me to the kingdom are vibrating. If I follow one, it leads to a black hole. Solandis explained that the black hole will eventually fill with information.
An image of Lorn’s brilliant smile is the last thing I see as I fall asleep.
Cool air brushes against me. Groggy, I can tell I’ve been asleep for a while. Without opening my eyes, I reach for the sheet, but it’s gone. And the bed is moving beneath me.
Tearing open my eyes, Rivan’s golden gaze is the first thing I see.
He shifts me in his arms. “You’re okay. I’ve got you. You were sleepwalking in the garden again. If I put you down, you’ll get dirty.”
I immediately scan the area around us, but all I see are the same flowers and manicured bushes I stare down at from my balcony.
“How did I get past the guard?”
His shoulder moves in a slight shrug. “My guess is magic, but I’m not a hundred percent sure. You were in the garden when I came out for… some fresh air.”
My hand is pressed against his chest. Under my palm, his heart is rapidly beating, and his skin has a thin layer of sweat on it. It could be from carrying me, but I doubt it.
“Nightmares?”
“Memories,” he replies curtly. “The guard is likely standing outside your door. Do you want me to fly you up to the balcony?”
I wonder what his wings look like.
Before I can stop myself, my hand slides up from his hip to brush against his back.
He stops and stares down at me with narrowed eyes. “Don’t. I…” The cords on his neck stand out when he swallows hard. “Her nails… shredding my back… it’s too close tonight.” His intense gaze drifts to the mark on my forehead, then darts away.
I immediately remove my hand from his back. Eyes tearing, I whisper, “I’m sorry.” With a tiny swirl of my finger, a thin knit cap hides the crown on my forehead.
The tension in his body eases. “Which way back?”
Not wanting to leave him, I blurt out Cormal’s request. “Cormal wants me to get a rune to prevent this from happening again. He doesn’t like how vulnerable and unaware it leaves me. Is there a rune that can help? Would you mind?” I bite my lip nervously while I wait for his answer.
