Page 42 of Nightmare's Dance

“Probably better than opening a vein,” she squeaked.

“Probably,” I replied dryly.

By some miracle, our audience stayed silent.

“Okay?” I wasn’t going to kiss her if she didn’t give me permission.

“Yeah, sure. We need to save Geraint and get you and Robby home. Let’s do this.”

I hesitated, but the way her eyes softened when our gaze met tugged at my heart. The quick flick of her tongue across her lips just about undid me. I’d intended for this to be a clinical kiss, but I wasn’t sure I’d manage that with the raging desire trying to take control.

Ember leaned into my touch when I cupped her cheek with my free hand. She released my other hand, and I put my arm around her waist, pulling her close and leaning over to press my lips to hers.

My princess put her arms around my waist and stepped forward, pressing her chest against mine, eyes fluttering shut as she softened to me.

The storm of emotions inside me raged. I had to protect her, keep her safe, and I wanted nothing more than to tuck her away in a secluded corner of my realm and hide with her. Instead, we were going to sneak into the castle and rescue the man she loved.

Ember gasped as some of my shadow essence flowed into her through our connection. I pressed with my tongue, and she opened, meeting my exploration with her own. She fisted my shirt, which I helpfully made more solid so she could get a firm grip.

I wanted to possess her so badly, yet she wasn’t mine. Instead, I did my best to make this moment unforgettable. By her soft moan, I was doing a good job.

Our kiss had gone well past what was necessary to give her a little essence, but she made no move to back away, and I’d take anything she would give me. Desperate didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. This was what I’d been missing these last years without her in my life. This connection. This possession. I needed more, and it nearly broke me knowing she loved another.

Someone cleared their throat.

Ember made a surprised sound, as if coming back to herself, and jerked away.

I let her go, heart thudding in my chest.

She met my gaze for a moment before blushing and looking away. “Sorry,” she muttered.

I took a breath and nodded. “Nothing to apologize for. That worked, didn’t it?”

“Yes, I think so.” She ran her hand through her shoulder-blade-length hair and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Right, so, uh, when are we leaving?”

“As soon as we decide on the rest of our plan, should we have to go directly into the castle,” I replied.

“Okay, yeah, um, what is our plan for that?”

I glanced at the jester. He shrugged.

“We’ll try to stick to the shadows,” I said. “Easier for me, but I can shield you if we hide in the shadows that lurk in the ceiling.”

“How exactly are we going to do that?” Ember’s eyes widened, and I wanted to kill Baz all over again. She’d never been afraid of heights before.

“I won’t let you fall, Ember,” I said, reaching out and brushing my fingers along her cheek. “I promise.”

Ember

I’d wanted back in Nic’s arms before, but holy crap, I wanted my hands back on him now, with his lips on mine, his energy flowing into me. The shadow essence curled through me, making itself at home, pushing against parts of me I hadn’t known existed. It was as if I were being expanded from the inside. My awareness of the world around me grew, and that included my awareness of Nic. I almost wished I’d kicked everyone out of my bedroom and taken the time to change into clean clothing, but I hadn’t wanted to admit how much just getting kissed by the Nightmare prince had turned me on. I didn’t even want to admit it to myself, but it was kind of hard to ignore the wet panties and the way my heart still thudded in my chest.

Some part of me knew he was already mine, and I was already his. Maybe the part of me that combined with the energy he’d shared, filling an emptiness I hadn’t known existed until it was no longer there. Was it because of my silly childhood game?

Honestly, if my three childhood friends hadn’t vanished from my life and memories, I’d have fallen for them, anyway. Instead, they’d sent me Geraint. Who I apparently wasn’t supposed to fall for. Seriously, how could I not have? Geraint was apparently made specifically for me. Thinking back on our time together, it really was telling how easily he fit into my life. I had just thought it was because we’d grown up together with similar interests and all. Now, well, it was a lot more obvious Geraint literally lived for me. Damn it. Now I was questioning if he even liked me. Was it all duty? Now I had an idea of why he’d resisted for so long when I’d wanted to move beyond friendship. Fuck. Had I forced him? Did he secretly hate me?

The emotional turmoil was more than I could take, and I wrenched my thoughts away from my feelings and tried to focus on our mission. I hid my face and wiped away a few tears. Nic put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, but didn’t say anything.

Neither of my parents were in the living room when I went in to repair the mirror. I was just glad there wouldn’t be an audience beyond what I already had. I felt a bit like a mother hen with three needy chicks following me around.

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