Page 69 of His Darkest Desire

Countless voices whispered in her mind simultaneously, each speaking a different language, creating an indecipherable cacophony. It was like everyone in the world was talking to her all at once, their whispers weaving into a roar.

“Vex?” she said with a tremor of uncertainty. “I don’t like this.” She felt like her head was going to explode.

Somehow, Vex’s voice cut through all the noise in her mind. “It will pass, Kinsley.”

“It’s too much. It hurts.” Kinsley gripped her hair. “And I don’t…don’t understand what they’re saying.”

Vex’s fingers smoothed over her cheeks to cradle her face. “Look at me.”

His touch was a balm, dulling the noise and pain. Kinsley loosened her grip and opened her eyes to meet his gaze.

“You do understand,” he said firmly. His eyes were unwavering, captivating, commanding. “And it is nearly through. Just breathe.”

Keeping her eyes locked with his, she did as he’d instructed, taking in a deep breath and slowly releasing it.

He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “Good. Just like that.”

Little by little, the voices grew clearer. And with that clarity came meaning—first a word here and there, then phrases and sentences. As that knowledge expanded, the voices faded until, finally, her mind was again quiet.

Vex continued stroking her cheeks. “I should have better anticipated the stress it would place upon you, Kinsley. Should have warned you. But it is through now.”

“Is she well, magus?” someone asked in a soft, airy voice.

“Has the enchantment taken effect?” asked someone else with a slightly raspier voice.

“I…I can understand them.” Kinsley’s lips stretched into a smile. “I can understand them!”

Releasing her, Vex sat back in his chair. Though his smile was subtle, the warmth it sparked in his eyes was anything but. He almost looked like a different person. Were it not for her wonder at the potion’s effects, Kinsley would’ve had a much harder time prying her gaze from him.

She looked at the wisps, and her grin somehow widened. “I can understand you!”

“Would that the magus had not waited so long to offer this gift,” said Flare, a tiny lick of their ghostfire lashing at Vex.

“It would certainly have eased these ones’ vigil,” said Echo.

“And Kinsley’s boredom,” added Flare.

Shade turned their head toward Vex. “Her worry, as well.”

Kinsley reached a finger out to Shade. “That would’ve been nice.”

The wisp brushed their ghostly arm along her finger. “This one agrees.”

Vex huffed, folding his arms across his chest. “I expect you’ll wish to undo this enchantment ere long, Kinsley. They are like to prattle until your ears bleed.”

She chuckled. “I don’t think I will. I’ve enjoyed their company.”

He arched a brow. “Mayhap because you’ve not been able to comprehend their speech.”

“Mayhap the magus is jealous,” Flare said, swelling a little larger, a little brighter, “because these ones will offer more entertaining conversation than he.”

“I am not jealous.”

“This one thinks the magus is,” Echo said.

Vex planted his hands atop the table and rose from his seat. “I am not.”

Though it was so quietly that Kinsley could barely hear it, the wisps laughed.

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