But that still doesn’t answer his question.
Why?
He’s handsome, yes—devastatingly so. But there are lots of good-looking people at the academy, in Wysteria, everywhere. And his voice, velvety but with a rough undertone, gives me goose bumps, but that isn’t it either. It’s like something deep inside me is reaching out to him, wanting to draw him close, not wanting to let him go. It feels like my magic wants him, and in turn, it makesmewant him. But I’m still not sure why.
So I lift one shoulder in a shrug and tell him, “It’s a mystery.”
His lips twitch up in one corner. “I do like mysteries.”
“Then maybe you can solve this one.” As the song comes to an end, I lift onto my toes and kiss him again. When I pull away, I whisper into his ear, “Take me somewhere.”
His body goes taut against mine.
I meet his eyes through his mask, and there’s a war within them. I can almostseehis mind working, puzzling over this new problem I just presented to him.
And I wonder if he’s going to turn me down, to tell me no. The thought makes me want to send a lightning storm raging through the building.
But he eventually says, “Are you sure?”
My heart gallops. I tighten my hold on the back of his neck. “Perfectly.”
Chapter 20
Severin
WE LEAVE THE BAR TOGETHER, after Maeve has a chance to speak with her friends. I don’t know what she said to them—I kept my distance, hoping they wouldn’t recognize me—but now we’re walking through the rain together, both tucked under my umbrella, as rain taps the fabric and makes the streets glitter all around us.
I didn’t tell Arella goodbye; she was no longer at the bar when I finally looked up from my dance with Maeve. But I can’t bring myself to feel bad about it.
Because I know who I want, and she’s walking beside me right now, her hand in mine, her shoulder brushing against me with every step we take down the rain-wet cobblestones.
“So, where are you taking me?” Maeve asks. She tips her head back to look up at me, and I meet her stormy purple eyes. Then my gaze drifts slowly to her smooth throat, and my fangs start to ache at the pulse I see thrumming there. I quickly look away.
“I have a room at Boar and Badger,” I say.
“Oh?” Maeve’s fingers tighten around mine. “Did you plan this, Professor?” Her voice lilts teasingly.
“Quite the opposite.” I flick a glance at her. “I was trying to get away from you.”
Her lips lift in a smile, showing her white teeth. “Running away from me, hmm? I’m not sure that worked very well for you.”
“No.” I shake my head, feeling somewhat foolish for thinking I could outrun this fire between us. “It didn’t work at all.”
It’s a short walk back to the tavern, and when we get there, I hold the door open for Maeve, then shake the rainwater off the umbrella before following her inside. Thankfully, it seems like most everyone here is too deep into their tankards to notice us, and we’re able to slip up a staircase to the second floor without anyone taking much interest. And we’re still wearing the masks, so our identities should be concealed from anyone who may have seen us.
I’ve never been so grateful for a masquerade before.
Maeve follows me down the hall to my room, the floorboards creaking underfoot, and as I pull the heavy key from my pocket, I begin to feel the first stirrings of nervousness.
I’ve had many women in my long life, and I stopped being nervous about sex centuries ago. So why does this storm witch make me feel like an inexperienced youngling again? Like I’m about to do something I have no experience in doing?
I push the door open, then step aside, letting Maeve in first.
She doesn’t hesitate. Head high, shoulders back, she walks right in. Unlike me, she doesn’t look nervous at all.
How many men has she taken into her bed? How many have gotten to taste her skin, to touch her in ways only a lover can?
My chest gets tight, and a wave of possessiveness rises up inside me. My fangs ache more. I clench my teeth, trying to drive those thoughts away.
