She innocently asked over her shoulder, “So since I’m not a wraith, you don’t think I’m pretty?”
Fenn suddenly squeezed Serenna’s finger over the trigger, yanking her attention back to the firing range. She gasped as the crossbow jumped, the support of Fenn’s chest behind her dampening the recoil. The bolt sailed across the chamber, smacking into a target.
“I think attraction encompasses more than physical features,” Fenn said, releasing her hands to spin a ring in his ear. “But since you’re inquiring about superficial attributes, I suppose you’re not what I’d typically find alluring since I’m more accustomed to wraith.” Serenna turned toward him as he drew another arrow from the quiver at his waist. “For one, you have no height or fangs to speak of.” His gaze swept over her. “And your breasts and hips are rather…exotically proportioned.”
Serenna scoffed, jabbing his ribs with the crossbow. “My figure is simply more human than that of you lanky wraith.”
Fenn cleared his throat, quickly correcting himself. “That’s not to say I don’t appreciate your ample curves.”
Doubting he was making a vicious comment about her body, Serenna fought the urge to laugh at his straightforward observation. “Thank you for pointing out howexotically proportionedI am,” she said while he took the crossbow and then recranked it.
Fenn returned behind her, placing the ready weapon back in her hands. Letting her hold it steady, he loaded another bolt. Serenna glanced back when he remained silent.
He scrutinized her with a serious intensity. “The points of your ears are pleasing.”
“Your compliments astound me,” Serenna said, hopelessly trying to curb the heat racing up her neck. “Is your skill with words what impels everyone to your bed?”
Inhaling sharply, she nearly dropped the weapon when Fenn glided his claws down her ribs to envelop her waist.
“I have a unique skill set for that.” His chuckle was dark, offering no other explanation than suggestively shoving the length of his body against her back, talons scoring into her leathers.
Serenna’s fingers seized the trigger. The bolt launched, soaring clear over the target.
Fenn chuckled, pinching one of her ears. “I like how you turn red when you’re flustered.”
Jolted from the unexpected pressure, a stray nerve shot down Serenna’s spine. She swung the crossbow at Fenn like a club, swatting away his pesky talons.
Cackling, Fenn warped to her other side before the blow connected. “It’s a shame you have no snow drifts down here to catapult at my head with your magics.”
Serenna simmered with irritation. She wouldn’t admit it, but he’d bested her this round. Setting the crossbow on the ground, she trapped the stirrup with her boot and copied his previously demonstrated motion, cranking the lever to restring the weapon.
Glaring at Fenn and then scanning the flames spurting from the volcanic stream, Serenna countered, “Maybe I’ll try to channel that magma and set your leathers on fire. You can’t warp as fast as you think.”
Fenn grinned at her empty threat, eyes sparking withchallenge. “Allow me to finish admiring you before you descend into pyromania.” He drew another quarrel from the holster at his hip, twirling the bolt around his talons.
Serenna pursed her lips, thoughts snagging on the sharp edge of guilt.I shouldn’t have encouraged him.
“You dismantle me with the skies in your eyes.” Fenn’s gaze flared as it lingered on hers. “The color reminds me of a glacial waterfall near the outskirts of our fortress. When the moons shine on it just right, it’s a sea of starry ice.” He fidgeted with the arrow before returning it to his holster. “I’d be happy to show you sometime. But there’s more than your features that I—”
“You forgot to mention my fingers,” Serenna interrupted, unsure what to do with the compliments she might as well have blatantly asked for. “They’re longer now since Lykor stole my magic and wraithed me.” Bitterness seeped into her words as she deflected his attraction, brandishing her palm in front of his face. “Do you find them alluring too?”
“Wraithedyou?” Fenn asked, his mouth twitching, showing the points of his fangs. He snagged her waving hand, inspecting her nails. “Your talons are still stubby.”
“I don’t have talons yet.” Serenna yanked her wrist out of his grip. “Maybe I will if Lykor plans on taking more of my power.”
Grin swept away, Fenn’s humor faded. “My father said not everyone survives a siphoning of magics…” He twisted one of his braids. “The torture nearly destroyed Aesar. That’s why Lykor appeared. He endured years of torment so Aesar and the elders didn’t have to.”
Heart stilling, Serenna blinked dolefully up at Fenn.I never wondered how they came to be.
“But it doesn’t make what Lykor did to you right.” Fenn’s voice softened. He gently rested a claw on her shoulder, the gesture igniting an emotion Serenna couldn’t place. “We heard the screams and… I’m sorry my father and I weren’t able to stop him.” Her pulse skipped when he snarled, fangs shooting down. “Maybe the magics on Lykor took away his control, but I won’t let—”
Fenn’s talons abruptly tensed against her. His eyes flashed, a fire in the night, burning a trail across the chamber.
They weren’t alone.
CHAPTER 37
SERENNA
