I completely forgot myself, throwing etiquette out the window as I stared.
He was magnificent. Water slid down his perfectly sculpted body—sharp lines carved down his hips, while bold tattoos curled over his chest, creeping up his neck and down his arms. I’d seen naked men before—in magazines and movies—but never like this. Never this close.
His manhood was a thing of beauty. It hung heavy and thick between his thighs, demanding admiration with its perfection.
“Mic?”
“Umm… what did you say?” I mumbled, forcing my gaze away.
“Raw fish?”
“Right… fish. You didn’t happen to bring any wasabi with you?” I asked, trying to break the tension growing between us.
He raised an eyebrow and set the gutted fish on a flat rock. I tried to keep my eyes from wandering to his ass, but I’m not sure any warm-blooded woman could have averted her gaze.
“I don’t think we have any of that in Hiraeth, but you’re in luck. I’m feeling generous today.” He shook his body, spraying me with a fine mist.
“Forgive me if I’m not feeling the generosity,” I said, wiping a droplet from my cheek.
I should’ve asked him to put on clothes to spare my virtue or something, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
“Watch.” Luca arranged the fish on a flat rock before touching two fingers to the stone. Within moments, smoke curled from the fillets, the sizzle of cooking fish filling the quiet space.
“How did…” I trailed off, the aroma reminding me how long it had been since I’d eaten.
“My gift. I can channel a flux of energy into anything—or radiate it from my body.”
“Where were you last night when we were freezing?” I snarked. I knew I was being a brat. He didn’t owe me anything, but his excessively exuberant attitude brought it out of me.
“Well, it took a miracle to get you to take my coat, so I wasn’t about to push my luck,” he said with a laugh. “But honestly, I would have, only it takes time to recharge. The spells around the throne room drained me. I can only rebuild when I’m in contact with the land. The magic comes from Hiraeth itself.”
“Speaking of clothes,” Lucius muttered as he rolled over, “you can stop giving Mic a show. She’s a fucking lady, asshole.” He chucked a shirt at Luca before getting up. Both Nico and Fallon pulled themselves from their beds and joined us.
“Are you feeling alright, Mic?” Nico asked, skipping pleasantries.
“I’m fine.”
“You look… a little under the weather.” It was a polite way of saying I looked like shit. I could only imagine what he saw. I probably looked like I’d lost ten pounds overnight. The aching joints, the feverish skin, the dizziness had returned with a vengeance. They were all things I was used to dealing with. Without a healer or faerie dust to keep it in check, the cancer—technically, my magic—was wreaking havoc on my body.
“I said I’m alright.” I didn’t bother to hide the snap in my voice. I was done talking about it.
“Luca, do you still have your drinking horn?” Fallon asked, changing the subject and saving me from further questions. She’d been nearly catatonic last night, and yet she seemed calm and collected this morning, even if her short hair stuck out wildly in all directions. “I’ll get some water and herbs for tea,” she said, stepping out into the deep orange light of sunset.
I atein silence while the brothers discussed our next steps. Nico made it a point to consult with Fallon at every decision. The time for mourning Gunner had been shelved—survival was first and foremost. We’d travel at night to avoid detection from Johan’s trackers, staying close to the river. We’d reach Whisperhold in a few days—if we were lucky.
Panic clawed at me. I’d been running on adrenaline and willpower alone. I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to keep up with the days of hard travel ahead. I needed a healer. I should’ve brought faerie dust with me from Neverland to tide me over—an oversight I deeply regretted. Did pixies exist in Hiraeth too? I’d have to ask Fallon later.
As the knot of tension grew, my stomach turned. I lurched to my feet, scrambling out from under the pine. I made it a few paces before emptying the contents of my stomach into the bushes. The entire meal went to waste.
Not only was my body failing now I had nothing to fuel me. Fuck! I staggered to the river, splashed my face with the frigid water, and rinsed my mouth.
“Enough with the act. Let me heal you already,” Lucius said. The setting sun cast his face in a warm glow.
“I don’t want your pity, Lu.” I tried to rise on shaky legs—it took everything I had.
“It’s not pity. You can barely stand, you can’t keep food down, you look like you’re wasting away before my eyes. And you’re too damn stubborn to let me help.”
Lucius had healed me before. That’s the whole reason I’d ended up here. It felt like a lifetime ago when Gwen and I set out on a journey to save my life, beginning with our ill-fated trip to Neverland. I’d given up hope, but Gwen had it in spades. It had burned so brightly within her it couldn’t be shuttered. I’d followed along and dared to dream. But now, I’d caused so many terrible things just trying to survive, I wasn’t sure healing was worth it.
