But that was old Ani. Sweet, good-natured, hope-for-the-best Ani.
After that kiss in Kirin’s office the other night, after everything that happened at Breath and Blade, after nearly burning the whole place to the ground for her, after watching her fight her way back from the dream realm, I’m never waiting around for someone else to make a move again.
I reach up and cup her face, bringing her in for another kiss, savoring the softness, the taste, the warmth of her breath as she sighs my name, over and over.
Of course I want more. When it comes to Stevie, I’llalwayswant more. I could overdose on this woman and happily sign up for another round.
But her kisses are so soft, so delicious, so perfect, I think I’ll just live in the moment a little while longer.
“What are you thinking?” she whispers, pulling back to smile up at me again, her eyes sparkling.
“Just that I really like kissing you.”
“I really like kissing you too.”
So we spend the next couple of hours doing just that.
* * *
Long after the sun sets, we’re spooning in Stevie’s bed, staring out the window at the moon, when I catch sight of two small bottles on her bedside table.
“What are these?” I pick up one of them for a closer look, turning it back and forth. Inside the bottle, silvery-white liquid sparkles in the moonlight.
“That one’s a dream potion,” she says. “I made it when I thought Iwantedto get in touch with the Dark Arcana. The other one is the opposite—it’s for a dreamless sleep.”
“How does it work?” I turn the bottle again, mesmerized by the way the light plays off the contents.
“Who cares?” She takes it from my hand and shuts it away in the drawer. “According to Doc, we still have about five days before we have to think about going back to that awful realm. Until then, I’m good with pretending it doesn’t exist.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” I force a laugh, but inside, my mind is already churning. Five silent minutes later, and the idea has fully wrapped around my brain, anchoring itself with deep roots that refuse to let go.
All I can do now is water them. Tend them. Help them grow.
Two nights ago, I watched my best friends and the woman I love risk their lives descending into the dream realm. I watched them fight for each other, fight for all of us, fight to find a way to bring back the Arcana objects and save magick. Baz was the one who brought back the sword and pentacle, but they all share in that victory. They couldn’t have done it without one another.
Right now, Cass is risking his life and compromising everything he stands for in order to interrogate our prisoners, even if it means he’ll never be able to face himself in the mirror after this.
My brothers are warriors, and this is a war.
But me? Other than setting the world on fire, what am I actually doing? Telling jokes. Bringing Stevie a karaoke mic. Living my own selfish dreams by holding her in my arms, kissing her again and again.
Is that enough?
Kirin’s words from the other night echo.
Ani’s got the best shot at connecting with the wand…
I glance at the nightstand drawer again, envisioning the seductive little bottle inside.
A dream potion… I made it when I thought I wanted to get in touch with the Dark Arcana…
“Can you stay tonight?” Stevie asks now, pulling my arm across her chest and snuggling closer. Her sweet scent invades my senses, reminding me once again that I’d do anything to keep her safe.
Anything.
“Get some rest,” I whisper, kissing the back of her neck. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Stevie lets out a happy sigh, drifting away in my arms.
