Page 78 of Nightmare's Dance

“Geraint is keeping watch. What happened?”

He pulled me tightly against his side. “Baz, or whoever that is, seems to be losing control of what shred of sanity he had. I don’t know how they did it, but somehow, they captured me using light. I’d rather not discuss the rest.” He shuddered. “Suffice it to say, Mary saved my life. And so did you and your knight.”

“I hope you don’t mind me sharing a bed with you, but you got all twitchy when I tried to leave you alone.” I tightened my grip on him, as he had on me.

“I should think it is obvious I don’t mind. I’m grateful. Sharing your energy with me is helping me recover more quickly.”

“I gave you the last of the essence I held,” I admitted. “We still have the bit stored up in the clothing Geraint and I were wearing if you need it.”

“Save it for now, we might need it later.” Nic trailed his fingers over my back. His shadow had returned and shifted around us, tendrils of shadow stuff swirling around my body. “Ember, I should very much like to kiss you, if you think Geraint won’t mind too much.”

I thought back to the conversation we’d had not long before. “No, I don’t think he will mind.”

Nic rolled over on his side to face me, propped up on one elbow, and threaded one of his legs between my calves. He cupped my cheek with his other hand and pressed his lips to mine.

“I’ve missed you,” he breathed onto my lips. “Your absence from my side has always been noticeable, but after having you back, losing you again created a gaping wound in my heart.”

I clutched his shirt with one fist, and buried the fingers of my other hand in his hair.

Our lips spoke without words, and our tongues danced to music only we could hear. My heart soared as energy flowed between us, filling an emptiness I hadn’t realized was there. Nic didn’t have much to spare, but my human energy flowed back into him, helping him heal.

I moaned softly, and he tightened his grip on me, as if he’d never let go.

“I want to claim you.” He kissed along my jawline.

“I can’t give up Geraint.” I gasped for breath, heart racing, heat pooling in my core.

“That’s not a no.”

His lips possessed mine again before I could reply. I let myself drown in the desperate attention he consumed me with.

I lost track of time while we kissed, the need deep inside me purring contentedly while still demanding more connection.

The squeak of the door opening barely registered. I was familiar with the sound and ignored it, but Nic froze.

I whimpered when he pulled away, before realizing we weren’t alone.

“Ahh, sorry,” Geraint said, not sounding terribly upset.

“Nothing to apologize for, Knight,” Nic replied, releasing me.

I rolled over onto my stomach, clenching the comforter we lay on in my hands, my legs still entangled with Nic’s. The need to be filled roared through me, and I groaned into the bed.

“I asked her if I could kiss her, then couldn’t bring myself to stop.”

“I think we are both being unfair to Ember,” Geraint said, putting his hand on the back of my leg.

“How so?” Nic’s hand went to my back, stroking gently.

Having the two of them touching me lit a fire that thundered through me. I twisted, rubbed my legs together, clutching the comforter like a lifeline. I was about to kick both of them out and dive between my legs with my hand and the nearest toy. The level of need I felt drove coherency out of the window.

“She wants both of us,” Geraint said. “I never expected to get to keep her, but I can’t imagine giving her up now. I’m willing to share if you are.

“I realize you’re a prince and I’m only a knight, but Ember knew nothing of this when we came together. I love her, and I can’t live without her, but none of us can live without Dream or Nightmare.”

“I don’t know if the others would find that acceptable.” Nic curled his fingers in my hair.

“If they want in my pants, they’ve got to accept Knight,” I grumbled. “And I’m pretty sure you want in my pants.”

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