Page 59 of Lucifer's Mirror
“That’s a lot of guards. Can you take them? You and Khaosti, I mean?”
“Maybe. We’ll likely need Therion as well. And hopefully the slaves will help once they see us. But it will mean you and your friend will be alone if it all goes wrong.”
“It won’t, will it?” If they die, this is my fault. I’m the one who pushed for this. “Please don’t die. You won’t, will you?”
“Likely not. But if I do, you need to know where to go.” He pulls a piece of paper from inside his jacket. “I made this. It’s a map. It will get you to the Crone.”
I take it. “I thought you couldn’t tell us where she was.”
“Not couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Not until I knew I could trust you.”
“That’s sweet. You trust me. I feel all warm and fuzzy.”
“That’s the brandy.” He nods to the map clutched in my hand. “Just don’t show the map to that fucker, Khaosti, if he survives and I don’t.”
“You really don’t like him, do you?”
He snorts. “What’s there to like?”
I can think of one or two things, but mostly he’s right. I suppose.
“Don’t trust him,” Thanouq says. “He’s his father’s son. And his father is a complete bastard.”
“What about Khendril?” I ask. “Doesn’t he take after his father?”
“They are half-brothers. Maybe Khendril takes after his mother, at least in character. In looks, he was all Astrali. But enough about them. We need to sleep.”
At the mention of sleep, a wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I yawn. Thanouq reaches across and takes the last of the bread from my hand. He puts it in his mouth and chews. He catches me watching him, and a look of speculation enters his gaze.
He strokes the pad of his thumb over my mouth, then lowers his head, and kisses me softly. And I let him. I want to know if his kiss affects me. Maybe Khaosti’s not the only one who can make my heart beat faster. Sadly—there’s nothing.
Finally, he backs away.
“You’re drunk,” he murmurs. “When I kiss you properly, I want you to know exactly who is doing the kissing. I don’t want to be a distraction or a substitute for anyone else.”
“You’re not.” Okay, so maybe that’s not entirely the truth.
“I’d rather be sure. But don’t get me wrong. I want to kiss you and a hell of a lot more. I think we would be good together. But you’re hurt, not to mention drunk. Go to sleep, Amber.”
I’m glad he’s not pushing it. He’s such a good guy, and I’m such a mess—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not to mention fixated on another man who doesn’t seem to like me much most of the time.
“You’re a nice man,” I mumble.
He snorts again. “No, I’m not. And it’s best you don’t forget that.” He moves closer. “Now sleep.”
I nod. “Do you want the blanket?” I ask, my whole body shivering at the thought of giving it up. “Because there’s only one, and you might die tomorrow, and it will be my fault, and I’d hate your last night to be a cold one and—”
“We can share. If that works for you.”
I want to play it cool, but that definitely works for me. “Oh yes.” Before he can change his mind and decide I can’t be trusted under a blanket with him, I unwrap it from my shoulders, cover myself with it, then hold up the side. He hesitates.
I smirk. “Don’t be frightened. I won’t bite.”
Something feral glints in his eyes, and it occurs to me that maybe I shouldn’t tease the griffin shifter. But before I can say anything else, he slides closer and under the blanket. For a second, we both sit awkwardly, unsure how to fit our body parts together. Then he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me gently down so we’re lying on the sand, my good side pressed against him. And he is so unbelievably hot. I’ve never slept this close to anyone, and I’m sure I’m not going to be able to shut down. But then his fingers stroke my hair, and a moment later… I’m out.
When I open my eyes again, the night is almost gone, replaced by the first glow of dawn. I’m sprawled across Thanouq’s body—he makes a pretty good bed—our legs tangled, his arm holding me close. Beneath me, his muscles tense. I’m pretty sure he’s awake, and I suppose I should get up, but I’m warm and comfortable, and I know that will vanish as soon as I move. “Just a minute more,” I mumble.
His big hand splays across my back, and he whispers in my ear, “Are you aware we have company?”
