Page 114 of All the Devils are Here

It felt different. Better. And I wasn’t even under the influence of his venom.

“Because this is who I am, mate.” A thrust of my hips had me gasping and impossibly on the edge of coming again. “Everything will be more powerful underwater. Including my venom. And including the way this will feel, both good and bad.”

My legs were spread for him. It was time. Trin’s fingers brushed the inside of my thigh. “Here, I think.”

The spike on his wrist lanced deep. Far, far deeper than when he was stinging me for something else. I couldn’t stop the scream that came out of me and dizziness swept over me, taking that tiny piece of my soul to Trin and returning his to me. Pain ripping me apart and rebuilding me.

He felt like the ocean. Emotions vast and sweeping, with everything tinged in aqua and blue. And the way he felt about me was the same. As big and infinite as the sea he came from. It was pure, even before the world took on a familiar gold shine. “Venom?” I asked. “Do we need it?”

“No,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m glad I know that, and you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. Especially tangled in my arms. But I want to take my time with you.” His hands slid up my ribs and cupped my breasts. “And you’re exhausted, though the frenzy is going to tell you that you’re not. You’re also scared.”

“Not of you.”

“I know.” A gentle movement of his hips, reminding me of the shining pleasure that would carry me away soon. “But there will be plenty of time for us. For a little while, let me make it easier.”

Peace flooded our bond. Peace and pleasure. I relaxed into his hold and his care. He saved me from drowning when I needed it most, and today I would let him do it again.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

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LAURENT

“How is he alive?” Caliban snarled as we returned to the house. “He should be dead.”

Prospero was barricaded in the mountain, waiting until the inevitable happened. Either he was taken by the Island, or Meg was.

It was a stalemate, and everyone was losing.

Ariel was watching me, and as usual, the spirit saw far too much. “Don’t do it,” he warned me.

“Do you see another way out of this?”

He shook his head. “She loves you.”

“She loves you too,” I told them.

“Yes,” Ban said, tail twitching in agitation. “She does. But she’s loved you longer.” The shifter caught on quickly.

“I think he’s still alive because of the other magic,” Ariel said. “Whatever he’s been hoarding these years from the experiments he’s sold. The way he’s kept us in the dark, it could be anything. He could hold out for years.”

“We’re out of options, Ariel. We can’t do shit. We can’t risk her life, and we can’t get her to the island’s heart. If she gives the magic back he can, and will, kill her, hoping to break us. Prospero has orchestrated this perfectly, the bastard.”

“I know. But we could—”

“What?” I snapped. “Please, if there’s another option, tell me. Because I’ve got nothing.”

Closing my eyes, I ignored the stab of pain in my heart. This wasn’t what I wanted to do, but if it would save her life, it was the only way.

“It doesn’t matter if she’s loved me longer,” I said quietly. “I’ve loved her just as long. I’m not going to let her die because of him. If anything, this is long overdue.”

“Bullshit,” Ban said, glaring at me.

In spite of the conversation, Ariel blew out a laugh. “He’s right. It is bullshit. None of this is your fault. This is Prospero bending all the rules of magic to get what he wants.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “If they come back and it isn’t better, we don’t have a choice. We’re not bonded yet. It will be better this way.”

“Laurent—”

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