"I don't feel exhausted," I lie. Sort of.
My limbs are loose and fluid, but something in me is electric, like spring waking from frost. It's like nature herself approved of what we did, like she needed it as much as I did.
Still, I curl up, head resting on his thigh, letting his fingers move through my hair in soft strokes that almost make me purr.
Asher speaks up: "Do you draw energy from sex? Is that part of being a nymph, or is it just a myth?"
"It's not automatic," I reply, eyes closed but mind still spinning. "It depends on the context. The connection. It's more than just friction and moans—it has to mean something."
That's what Darius told me. That energy transfer happens through intention, through nature and ritual. Most humans don't qualify. They don't know how to connect to anything beyond themselves.
Meanwhile, vampires are supposed to feed on that energy, not give it. They're supposed to leave us empty. But it didn't feellike that. Not with Kayden. Not with Asher. It didn't feel like desecration, but like awakening.
So either what I've been taught is wrong, or I'm different. A made-nymph with instincts that don't follow the rules.
I don't tell them all of that. I'm not sure they'd understand. Hell, I'm not sure I do.
I think of Darius and how powerful he felt. Even overwhelming at times. Being with him was like drowning in light, in something ancient and vast.
This was different. Not lesser, but more raw and grounded.
As Kayden's fingers lull me and the hum of the car surrounds me, I drift. The wind outside hushes the noise in my mind. The cold forest fades. And despite myself, I sleep.
"Wake up, sunshine. We're home." Kayden's voice pulls me from the fog of sleep.
Home.
That word hits too deep. It shouldn't mean anything coming from him, but it does. There's that annoying clench in my chest again, so I pretend I don't feel it and sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"We also have good news," Asher says as he shuts off the engine. We're already parked in the garage.
I blink more fully awake. "What kind of good news?"
He glances over his shoulder. "Eira reached out. The druid agreed to help. She'll be here in four days—it's a long journey, but it's confirmed."
A breath escapes me, slow and steady. "That's… really good."
I open the door, step out, and my knees remind me of every delicious, terrible thing that happened in the woods. Still sore.
Still worth it.
"There's more," Asher adds, walking beside me. "Winston messaged. He's coming over. Says it's about you."
I frown. "What kind of 'about me'? Good news or bad?"
"No clue. He wants to talk in person. He'll be here in an hour."
"Great," I mutter. "Guess I should shower. I look and feel like I got wrecked in the woods."
Asher gives me a dry look. "I wonder how that happened."
Kayden just laughs and wraps an arm around my waist. "Need a spotter for the shower? In case your knees pull another stunt?"
I swat him away. "No thanks. I've had enough of your 'support' for the day."
He holds up his hands in mock innocence. "Gracious host, remember?"
I roll my eyes and follow Asher into the house, Kayden trailing behind like a satisfied predator.
