Page 46 of The Dark Rises
Confused, I slide my hands from his body, and when I do, I see the faintest impression of skeletal bones superimposed over the skin. Fear tries to take hold, but with us joined so closely together, I know I can’t let it. Sucking in a huge amount of air, I hold it in until my heartbeat slows.
Large hands glide gently across my back and over my shoulders. “That’s it. Just breathe.” He picks me up and turns me around until I’m sitting across his lap and puts my shirt back on.
If I wasn’t extremely scared, I’d be pissed off. I finally get him to smile and give me a kiss, and we have to stop.
The door opens, and I turn my head to watch Cormal stride into the room. He pauses when he sees us on the bed, but not for very long. In his usual arrogant fashion, he strides over and sits right down beside us.
“You look like you’ve been thoroughly kissed.”
I blush and glare at him, hoping he doesn’t make Madoc uneasy.
Cormal shrugs, then leans over to give me a hard kiss. “About time you woke up.” His words are simple, but his tone is heavy with relief.
My hand stretches out and slides around his throat so I can feel its strength for myself. “You scared the hell out of me.”
He picks up my hand and nibbles on my fingers. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve waited too long to be denied forever.”
My mind embraces his words. The events from our past are no longer hidden by an impenetrable curtain. The episode I had must have wiped away the barriers. Or the power inside me did. Either way, I know. All of it. This man has sacrificed a lot to claim me as his without Leandra standing between us.
“I remember,” I tell him.
His eyes flick to mine, and he freezes. “What do you remember?”
“All of it. Our past. The love we shared. The night I attacked Leandra with her own powers. You… accepting my punishment.” My voice breaks when I think of the caning he got and the scars it left on his back. “Leandra threatening to unmake me. Going to Rivan to get the rune.”
The last thought makes my blood boil, but when the power inside me stirs, I have to shut off the sharp emotion.
Madoc stands and passes me into Cormal’s arms with a warning. “Go through the memories later. She needs to stay calm. The power is near the surface.”
Cormal holds up a beautiful gold bracelet with a large ruby on it. “Evren sent this. She said it will help you to control the power.” He slides it on my arm.
Cold metal dangles from my wrist. “It’s gorgeous, but I don’t feel any different.”
“Did you get Evren’s blood?” Madoc interjects impatiently.
“No,” Cormal replies with a grin. “She only gave me the bracelet.” His hand grasps my chin. “Let’s test it out, shall we?” Pulling the two of us up until we’re standing in front of Madoc, he bends his head and captures my lips in a devastating kiss.
The past blends with the present, and my passion rises hard and fast.
Cormal pulls my head back. “Let me see your face.” He darts a glance at Madoc. “I don’t see anything, do you?”
Madoc peers down at me, his steel-grey eyes growing dark. “No.”
Cormal moves in closer and presses my body against Madoc until I can feel every inch of their hard bodies against mine. “She dreams of all three of us.”
Madoc’s hands settle on my hips. “Rivan, too?”
“Yes. Tell him,” Cormal demands.
Unable to say the words, I stare mutely at Cormal.
“Or should I show him?” His wicked smile is the only warning I get before my shirt disappears.
Madoc growls behind me, then his hands slide up my sides and stop.
Taking a deep breath, I twist my head to look up at Madoc. “Touch me.”
Calloused hands slide forward and cup my breasts, weighing them, learning their curves. His breathing becomes harsh, but his hands lightly skim over the mounds, pausing only to pinch or play with my nipples.
