Page 47 of Fates Fulfilled
His eyes widened. “When I gave you your first kiss? The power surge Fae experience before our abilities manifest feels very much like what humans call endorphins. It’s also very similar to sexual excitement.”
Lex’s face heated. “You can’t possibly think—"
Before Lex could finish her sentence, Garrin pulled her close and brought his mouth down onto hers.
And there went the butterflies in her belly.
His hand slid up her arm to her shoulder and the tender flesh at her neck, where he gently stroked her skin. He lifted his head and studied her eyes. “Do you feel it?”
She frowned and snapped out of her lust haze. “Of course I felt it. Didn’t you?”
A smile slowly spread across his lips. “It is the same sensation in magic or love. But unlike love, Fae can call to magic. Whereas the other cannot be forced.”
Love? What was he talking about? “I could try to call to it, but I’m telling you, it probably won’t work.”
“I believe in you.”
And he did. She could read it in his eyes. Damn him.
Lex took a deep breath and a careful step back, slowly removing herself from Garrin’s arms, while still envisioning the feel of being in his arms. She walked silently into the bedroom where Mertha lay.
Strangely, she sensed Mertha was dying. Sensed a weakening energy drain more and more the longer Lex stood there. Mertha was a memory person, or some such. Lex could feel Mertha’s magic now. Frail, but there.
This was awful. These were Mertha’s last moments with her husband, and Lex was interrupting it because the kingdom needed Mertha’s knowledge. But Garrin’s actions weren’t selfish. In fact, one could argue they were altruistic. He wanted the truth about his father to keep Lex safe and to help Dark Fae.
Lex sighed, closed her eyes, and focused on Garrin’s kiss. From his soft but firm lips to the way his hand had gently touched her arm and run up her shoulder to the skin of her neck.
A shiver of attraction ran down her spine, and Lex homed in on the sensation. She imagined moving the energy farther out—away from herself. And then she focused on Zirel, and the healing energy that wafted off him. She didn’t know why she hadn’t recognized Zirel’s ability before. Oh, she’d seen him touch to heal, but she’d notsensedhim heal. Until now.
Zirel’s ability was as tangible now as holding an orange in her palm. Lex mentally fingered the power texture, tossing it metaphysically in the air. And then she lobbed it at Zirel and pushed the power back at him.
He looked up, startled. Then Zirel quickly glanced down and placed his hands on Mertha’s, who immediately took in a deep breath.
“Yes,” she said.
Garrin rushed over. “Mertha, it is Garrin Branimir. What is it you wish to say?”
“The answer to your question is yes. Your father had Isle Meinrad entombed.” Soft brown eyes fluttered open and looked at Garrin. “Your father…” she started, then gasped, seemingly unable to take in air.
Zirel placed his hands on Mertha and looked at Lex.
Lex reached for the energy she’d sensed a moment ago, but panic made her thoughts scatter, and she couldn’t grasp it.
“…is why we are here…” Mertha said, air leaving her mouth on a long sigh, her chest stilling.
No.No!
Zirel placed his forehead on Mertha’s chest as though to push whatever power he had straight into her heart.
He slowly lifted his head and shook it, his eyes pinched closed.
A choking sound erupted from the old man, and he reached for Mertha’s hand and rubbed it. “Oh, darling.” He dropped to his knees beside the bed and wept. Without looking up, he said, “That is all, my prince. She is gone.”
Garrin’s eyes were wide. He blinked and walked to the older man, touching his shoulder. “I am sorry, my friend.”
The man looked up, appearing puzzled. “It is I who is sorry.” He peered at his wife. “She was more than all the knowledge in this land. More than the petty squabbles between kings. She was a gift.”
Garrin’s gaze slid away, his jaw tightening. He walked to Zirel, and the two of them bent their heads together, murmuring quietly.
