Nothing.
Just the kiss of an ocean breeze to my senses and the softsnickof a closing door.
He’d left me to unravel his magical net without a wand or any instructions.
And I was already seeing spots due to the lack of air in my lungs.
Zakkai!
Focus on the strands, Aflora. Then find me when you’re done.
I’ll find you and kill you,I vowed.
I can’t wait to watch you try.
Aflora lostconsciousness as I locked the door to my room, her final thoughts all surrounding the myriad of ways she intended to make me suffer. My lips curled in anticipation.
As an Earth Fae, she was all about life and love and peace.
But my Quandary Blood had provided her with a lethal edge that I intended to exploit.
One moment, she promised never to kill a living thing. And in the next breath, she vowed vengeance and devastation.Namely, my death. But I would morph that train of thought into something more useful.
It was all part of her training.
Just like the web I’d woven around her.
She’d figure out how to dismantle it eventually, and I’d be waiting for her when she did. Her life essence was tied to mine, pulling on my energy to revive her. I allowed it, knowing she would need a few breaths to begin the process.
Her roar in my head widened my grin.
I refused to answer her now, listening as she puzzled through what she needed to do. Her mind fascinated me, her convoluted thoughts so similar to my own. She had no idea how alike we truly were, only I’d accepted my fate and destiny in life, while she was still trying to find her own.
The path would reveal itself very soon.
She eventually quieted, her affinity for solving problems springing to the surface as she began to expertly unweave the magic I’d wrapped around her.
So beautiful and cunning. All my previous intentions wavered, including the steps I took now toward the main rooms.
My father wanted an update.
But all I wanted was to walk back to my room, lean against the wall, and watch the stunning female play with magic in my sheets.
Alas, I had to make an appearance before he ventured to my rooms to search for me.
I snapped my fingers and uttered a spell, beckoning for my wand. It ignored me. The damn thing had a mind of its own and seemed to prefer Aflora for the moment. Fine. She could continue to borrow my conduit while she trained. She needed it more than I did anyway.
With a muttered incantation, I changed my attire into something more suitable for a meeting with the others. It was alazy approach, but also necessary, because if I’d remained in that room for a moment longer, I would have lost all my desire to leave.
Aflora was a sight to behold in so many ways that went beyond her physical appeal. She was admirably gifted in the dark arts, perhaps because she’d been tied to me for fifteen years.
I’d meant what I’d said earlier—it was fascinating to see how my essence had bonded with hers. She almost resembled a Quandary Blood. Except I could taste her earth magic, too. Just as I felt her element roaming through my veins, kissing me with a breath of her vitality and goodness.
The connection had always been there, even during our separation. Although, my father’s enchantments had severely dulled it. Then she’d broken that enchantment with her song and nearly knocked me off my feet.
I’d immediately thrown up my walls, protecting us both, but that hadn’t stopped me from playing in her dreams.
“Kai,” my father called as he stepped into the hallway, his eyes narrowing at my lingering state. “Is there a problem?”
