Bedisa…
“However you want me,” she said. “I’ll meet you there.”
“I want you safe.”
Her palm cupped my cheek as she brushed my lips with her thumb. “You will always keep me safe through our bond. And I won’t be alone. Caerwen and Effa agreed to come with me.”
My mouth twitched. “A sneaky way to get what you want.”
“Just covering all the bases, dread lord.” She leaned in to brush her lips against mine, the curtain of her hair drifting like silk against my shoulder. “I love how you worry when you can’t destroy something.”
“Have you settled on your lure?”
“I thought I’d tear a page out of Amal’s journal and give it to the Guardian in the sacred pool. Send another to Aine and tell them we have to talk.”
“That should win them over.”
“What would you offer?” she asked.
“Tell them you won’t burn their precious forest down, or collapse the waterfall at the sacred pool the way you did with a witch’s cave. In my experience, nymphs only pay attention when their own habitats are at risk.”
“You’re not suggesting that I actually destroy habitats?”
“How do you think the ancient kings won that war all those centuries ago? They coerced the queens into destroying habitats, opening fissures, syphoning the life force from every being. And afterward, once the danger had passed, the kings destroyed the queens. You are descended from those queens. Amal is one of those queens. Both of you, wanting vengeance. Rekindle that fear in the nymphs if it’s a truth that you want.”
She smiled, kissed my chin in triumph. “See, already we’re a team.”
“I’d rather be reckless and do it alone.”
Her laugh held the sexy purr I loved. “Is that why you like showers?”
My growl sparked a fire that I was happy to let burn.
CHAPTER 24
Grayson
A storm rolled in overnight, leaving Westvale shimmering beneath a pristine blanket of snow. Anson called to say the Gathering was postponed until tomorrow, since the snow caught some attendees in transit. Noa woke with her hand pressed against her lower abdomen. She tried to suppress her soft groan, but I helped her into a warm bath. I’d known her cycles had grown short and infrequent, but this one came on with a vengeance. I pressed my palm against the cramping, surged with gentle power.
“Gods…” She tipped her head back against the tub rim, her eyes fluttering closed. “Yes. Bottle that, please. For when you’re not around.”
“Happy to be of service.”
She lifted one eyelid to peek at me. “How many other women have you offered your services to over the years?”
“You’re the only one.”
“I have a bridge in Brooklyn.”
I smiled and confessed. “One or two. No one memorable.”
“Ouch.” Warmth softened her exasperation. “Talk about insignificant.”
I tightened my fingers around her thigh. “You are very significant.”
Her eyebrow flicked upward. “Extra points if you take me walking through Westvale.”
I drew back, gently sloshing water that lapped over the perfect rise of her breasts. “Why?”
