He looks back at me with kind eyes, his smile that of a normal man once again.
How could I ever have thought his teeth were made of metal?
“You may visit me in this realm as often as you like,” he says. “When you awaken again in your realm, you will not remember this conversation. You’ll remember only your desire, your thirst for power.” At his words, the flame on the staff glows brighter. “Your thirst will bring you back to me night after night. But for now, you must return.”
“But I can’t,” I say, emotion choking off my words. The idea of leaving with the wand fills me with a cold dread so all-consuming, I fear it will end me. “The Wand of Flame and Fury… It’s my birthright. I need it.”
The druid smiles again. For a second, I think I see a flash of metal, but I blink, and then it’s gone.
He’s just a man,I remind myself.A druid priest. He wants to help me.
“I will consider your needs, Ansel,” he finally says, and I let out a breath of relief. “But in return, I shall ask the same of you.”
“I understand.”
Without hesitation, he hands me the staff.
I wrap my fingers around it, my throat tight with emotion. The wood is smooth and warn, the feel of it perfect in my hand. Itbelongsin my hand. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.
I’m struck mute by the rush of power coursing through my blood. The heat. The fire. There isnothingI won’t do to claim this. Nothing.
But as soon as the heat and magick rise inside me, they vanish.
The druid is holding the staff once again, leaving me cold and wanting.
“Come.” He turns his back and heads toward the trail that leads out of the bowl, gesturing for me to follow. “You and I have much to discuss.”
Thirty-One
STEVIE
I’ve just put the kettle on when my door chimes, announcing the arrival of three of my four most favorite men.
Kirin, Doc, and—most surprising of all—Baz. After hiding out the last two nights, we weren’t sure he’d make it for our group meeting this morning, but suddenly there he is.
“Hey,” I say softly as he straggles in behind the others, his hair as rumpled as his clothes. He looks a little worse for the wear, but his eyes shine with familiar mischief, and when he scoops me into his arms and spins me around in a tight hug, I know he’s finally back.
“Goddess, I missed you,” I whisper.
“I missed you too.” He sets me on my feet, leaning in for a quick kiss. “More than you know.”
His kiss lingers, heat sparking between us. I have half a mind to drag him to the bedroom and have my way with him.
Judging from the new bulge in his pants, I think we’re on the same page.
Sliding my fingers into his hair, I pull him down for another kiss, and he presses against me, giving me a preview of just howmuchhe missed me. I moan softly, deepening our kiss, my hands twining into his hair…
A not-so-subtle throat clearing reminds me we have an audience, and I pull back with a shy smile, heat rising in my cheeks.
Our sexy reunion will have to wait.
Probably for the best, considering Ani’s still asleep in my bedroom.
“We brought pastries,” Kirin says, holding up a big paper bag.
“Muffins,” Doc adds. He tries for a casual smile, but he can’t hide the heat blazing in his eyes. He must’ve been the one who cleared his throat, interrupting my kiss with Baz.
I smile back, holding his gaze just a beat longer than necessary.
