Page 64 of Realm of Nightmares
Another prickle of awareness tingled down his spine.He glanced over his shoulder, but there was nothing there.Nothing but icy winds, the constant churning of heavy snow, and the promise of death.
ChapterNineteen
Maeve excused herself from dinner as fast as possible.
While Aed did his best to keep the conversation light and flowing, it was quite possibly one of the most painful experiences of her life. She’d been seated across from Laurel, who either glared at her or watched her with a smug smile, and Rowan, who was broody and refused to speak most of the night. Tension hung in the room, echoing with every clank of silverware against porcelain, loitering after someone cleared their throat or when some poor attempt of discussion was made. Each dreadfully long minute caused Maeve to squirm in her seat, fueled by excessive stretches of awkward silence.
Once the final plates were cleared away, she claimed she needed to tend to Cahira and escaped without looking back. Not that she wasn’t grateful for the invitation to dine. On the contrary, the food was delicious. But the topics discussed were mundane and the company was less than stellar.
After Maeve fed Cahira and took her to the training field to play, the little wolfling curled up on the tile floor of her bathing suite and passed out. Her soft snores filled the quiet space but did little to lull Maeve to sleep.
She tossed and turned beneath the plush velvet blanket, unable to get comfortable. Her body wouldn’t relax, her mind was a whirlwind of discordant thoughts and clashing images. She tried to focus on the gentle patter of rain splattering against the windows or count the sparks spitting from the dying flames in the hearth, but nothing would ease the trepidation coursing through her.
Something prodded at her like an incessant worry just out of her reach. It kept her wound too tightly, setting her nerves on edge.
Heaving a sigh, she rolled over, and her gaze landed on the nightstand beside her bed.
She knew what was safely tucked inside the single drawer—it stowed her purchases from the Pleasantries shop. It wasn’t like she planned on using any of them, it had all been for fun, but she figured some things were best left out of sight and out of mind.
Except now, all she could think about was the tiny glass bottle full of a shimmering liquid…the illusion elixir. The potion with the ability to enhance her deepest fantasies, to bring all that she longed for to life.
Maeve’s teeth sank into her bottom lip, and a familiar warmth spread low in her belly.
It wouldn’t be too terrible to try it out now. Besides, she was completely alone, and it would be a waste of money if she kept it hidden away in the drawer. Such novelties were intended to be enjoyed, though it was unlikely she’d use the onyx nipple clamps on herself without any kind of assistance.
She inched over on the bed and slowly slid open the drawer. Reaching in, her hand closed around the slim glass bottle and pulled it out.
Maeve fluffed the pillows behind her head and eased herself up into a reclined position, not wanting to spill any of the pretty contents. She twisted off the lid and took a small sniff.
The elixir smelled of jasmine and patchouli. Of dark temptation and sinful escapades. Her stomach clenched in anticipation, and she squeezed her legs together to quell the powerful rush of desire pooling at the apex of her thighs.
She would have to drink the entire bottle if she wanted to experience the full effects of the elixir. It had been absurdly expensive, and she could only hope it was worth the cost. Bringing it to her lips, she downed it quickly, not wasting a single drop. A light berry taste coated her tongue as she swallowed, then waited.
Seconds turned into minutes.
Nothing happened.
Shame filled her. She should’ve known better. Agitation caused her skin to flush, and she tossed the empty bottle back into the drawer and rolled over.
At once, the world around her swirled and shifted, like a glamour, transporting her to a place where the warmth of sunshine kissed her skin, where the skies were a piercing blue and decorated with wispy thin clouds. Flowers bloomed from bushes along the coast, their sweet fragrance amplified by the slight tang of the sea. Palm trees swayed overhead, their skinny green leaves rustling in the soothing breeze like a melody, a song just for her. She was lying on her back in a gown of golden silk. The beautiful beach with pale pink sand cushioned her body, while the gentle crashing of waves was a lullaby to her soul.
She was back in Niahvess.
She was home.
* * *
The Strand marking her chest,the leaf encircled by a sun, burned hot.
Maeve pushed up onto her elbows, squinting against the shining rays of sunlight, and then she saw him.
Her heart surged, an explosion of love and longing, enough to bring tears to her eyes. Gods, he was so beautiful. He walked toward her, his midnight hair ruffled by the wind, the unkempt locks longer than she remembered. His chest was bare and the golden swirling tattoos crawling up his arms, around his abdomen, and all the way to his neck glinted against the bronze of his skin. With every stride, his muscles flexed, chiseled to absolute perfection. The pants he wore were slung low on his hips, and her gaze slid to just below his waistband, where he was already hard for her. Aroused for her.
Maeve’s tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip, and his twilight blue eyes tracked the movement.
“Hello, astora.” His rumbling voice whispered into her mind as he sat down next to her on the sand, cupping her cheek with one hand. She leaned into his touch, relishing the way the light callouses of his palm rubbed against her skin.“Did you miss me?”
“Every day.”She was breathless. Her blood sang a song of yearning and devotion, and he was the only one who knew the words.
