I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, struggling to contain my frustration inside before I say something I might regret. I did love Z, but I prefer to keep that buried. There’s no bringing her back, so dwelling on her feels pointless.
“I only want to do right by Lyra, I promise. And as much as you think I hate Colton, I don’t. He saved my life, had my back, and I won’t forget that,” I say, which seems to appease her for the moment.
“Good, because I’ve been planning their ceremony and am taking Lyra to try on her dress soon. The last thing I want is to worry that you might ruin her day,” she says.
I nod, pressing my lips into a thin line. I don’t want to talk anymore and have a lot to think about. She sighs heavily then channels out of my study. Finally alone, I relish the peace and quiet, ready to strategize my next move.
Everything is aligning now. With Samael and Kaine gone, the Sorcerer Realm seems ready to welcome Lyra’s leadership. I’m sure Drew will support it, though she’s been quite reserved about her thoughts—at least with me. She and Colton always seem to share some inside joke, leaving me feeling out of the loop.
Nonetheless, I believe she respects Lyra andwould support her leading Cloudrum, even if Lyra weren’t with Colton. The Lycans have been unpredictable, but hearing that Rhett ultimately joined our cause gives me hope that they won’t oppose us.
I’m anxious about what Lyra discovered in Zomea and clueless about why she even went there. If she knew what I do, I imagine she’d have returned to me by now.
The situation with Colton is complicated. Despite everything Flora said, I don’t hate him—hell, he was ready to die for me… He did die for me. I need to sort out my plans thoroughly. There’s no scenario where everyone escapes this unscathed.
I must visit Elspeth soon, before she potentially sabotages my plans. I run a hand through my hair, considering the need to review the journals again. I have to be absolutely certain of my course before facing Lyra alone. If she rejects my plan, I might have to take drastic measures. Capture her, confine her—if it comes to that, how far am I prepared to go to save her? I’d raze the world for her.
Rising, I start pacing before the fireplace. I’ll have Twig concoct something to help me sleep. Yes, I’ll rest tonight and revisit everything with fresh eyes in the morning. I’m going to need to bring evidence with me when I confront Lyra.
Chapter 29
Two Months Later Lyra
I wake with a gasp,the sensation of hot breath on my ear startling me. Instinctively, my shadows surge outward faster than smoke, engulfing the room in darkness and pinning my intruder against the wall. My heart pounds as I blink rapidly, disoriented by the sudden awakening.
A low chuckle fills the room, and I jump out of bed, clasping my hand over my mouth as I reel my shadows back.
“Oh my gods, I...” I start, a nervous giggle escaping me.
“My dark enchantress indeed,” Colton says, his face lit by a cheeky grin as the soft candlelight seeps back into the room. “Don’t call your shadows back yet. I think they had the right idea, tying me up like that,” he winks, and I close the distance between us with a few quick steps.
“What are you doing in here? I thought we agreed to sleep separately the night before the ceremony. You know Flora will have both our heads if she finds you here,” I chide him irreverently. Flora’s obsession with the wedding details has morphed her into a delightfully tyrannical figure, and I adore her all themore for it.
Falling asleep alone tonight, in a house unfamiliar to me, must be why my magic felt so on edge. Colton wraps his hand around my lower back, pulling me close. He cocks one knee slightly, and I seize the moment to straddle it, tilting my head to meet his gaze.
“I’m willing to take the risk of her wrath if you are,” he challenges, his voice a low murmur. I reach up, threading my fingers through his hair, and pull him closer.
“How could I resist?” I tease, tracing his bottom lip with my tongue. He growls, a deep, primal sound, and his tongue meets mine with a fervor. As our kiss deepens, I begin to grind against his leg, the growing heat inside me igniting a fierce desire.
“It’s our last night as two separate souls,” I whisper, our lips barely parting as we move together, gravitating toward the bed.
“Darling, my soul has belonged to you from the moment our eyes first met,” he responds with a depth of feeling that sends shivers down my spine.
I slip out of my chemise, letting it pool at my feet, and unleash tendrils of shadow to ensnare his waist, drawing him irresistibly close.
“Assuming command already, My Queen?” he teases, his voice a low murmur as he eases me back onto the bed, spreading my legs with a reverent touch. “Then permit me to worship at your altar, my dark enchantress.” He sinks to his knees with the grace of a predator.
His lips trace a searing path up my thigh, igniting tiny fires of desire under my skin. When he reaches the apex of my thighs, I let my head fall back, lost in the sensation as he expertly circles my clit with his tongue then slides a finger inside me.
“Oh gods.” A moan escapes me, hanging in the air.
“I think you mean, ‘oh King,’” he teases, his voice low as he adds another finger, pushingme closer to the edge. “Not yet.” He clicks his tongue as he withdraws and rises, conjuring an illusion of himself. The second form of him binds my wrists, stretching me out beneath him, utterly exposed and deliciously vulnerable. The real Colton stands at the foot of the bed, a predator’s smile playing on his lips. “You think you’re the only one with tricks up your sleeve? You’ve got your shadows, and I’ve got...well, more of me.” He smirks.
His illusion captures my lips in a demanding kiss, overwhelming my senses before granting me a moment to breathe. Colton discards his clothes with a snap, and his illusion mirrors him instantly. “I thought there were always three of you when you replicate,” I tease, breathless under their intense gazes.
“Are two of me not enough?” he chuckles, climbing onto the bed to join his illusion. My heart races at the prospect of what’s to come and sends a flush of heat across my skin. He laughs softly at my flustered state then captures my lips in a kiss that promises both passion and a profound connection, his green eyes alight with mischief and love.
The situation is wickedly delightful, and I remind myself they are both him. One man, doubled in form but singular in intent—double the hands, double the…pleasure. My face heats at the provocative thought, thankful for the room’s dim lighting. But Colton, ever observant, catches the slight change in my expression.
