Lips press against my neck. “Your thoughts are loud, angel.”
I arch into Alistair’s touch. “Yeah? What am I thinking about?”
“Patricide. Obviously.”
I huff. “Lucky guess.”
He drags his fangs over my throat, letting me feel the scratch but never breaking the skin. “Would you prefer I give you something else to think about?”
I curl my leg over his hip and flip him until I’m on top. The ends of my hair graze his bare chest, and Alistair shivers, then groans. “I love it when you’re rough.”
Smiling, I drag his wrists over his head and rock my hips. “Are you thirsty?”
Red consumes the blue of his eyes. “For you? Always.”
My pulse hammers in my neck. Alistair has always been charming, and I’m used to his feral desire for me, but there’s a softness behind it now. I like it as much as his possessiveness.
“Should we keep you hidden while you’re here?” I ask, bending over to kiss his jaw. “I can make you my dirty little secret if you’re concerned about association with the enclave getting out to your clients and ruining your business.”
His reaction is immediate—eyes narrowing to slits as a scowl overtakes his face. “No,” he hisses. I nod and take his decision at face value. I don’t ask him to explain, and I won’t make the offer again.
Instead, I strip us both and ride him until my thighs burn and the faded blue of Alistair’s eyes is nothing but a memory. We try to be quiet; Luca is still sleeping, and knowing he could wake up at any point makes it hotter. When Ali’s fangs sink into the curve of myright breast, I come hard, losing my grip on his wrists and sagging in his arms.
“I love you, Celine,” he whispers.
My magic stirs inside me, the truth of his words so strong I can tell without testing him. My heart thuds erratically. He’s told me before, but we were in danger then. It means something different to hear it while we’re lying in bed together, as safe as we’ll ever be.
I swallow, my throat tight.
Saying it back isn’t enough. How can Alistair believe me without proof? I need him to never doubt me. This thing between us, it’s more than explosive chemistry, more than the blood circle. We’ve killed to protect each other, and I have no regrets. If I lose Alistair, I’ll lose part of myself, too.
I activate my runes and meet his stare. “I love you, Alistair Ashbourne, and I won’t ever let you go.”
His eyes flicker from my truth runes, stamped on every inch of my nude body, to my eyes. His lips land on my chest. “You don’t have to prove it to me, angel. I feel it every time we touch. Your racing heart is fast becoming my favorite sound.”
I shake my head. “You made my heart race long before I loved you.”
“It wasn’t the same,” he growls. “Although I’m happy to continue serving as your dildo.”
“Don’t mind me.” Luca yawns, rolling onto his side to look at us. “I would hate to interrupt your super romantic dildo declaration.”
I laugh, then wink at Alistair. Together, we tackle Luca, pinning him to the bed and working together to turn him into a desperate, begging mess.
They’re mine.More now than ever before. I fought to protect them, and I’ll be damned if I put them in harm’s way again. I can’t change my plans for them, but I can try to keep them from beingcaught deeper in my mess. If that means keeping things close to my chest, that’s what I’ll do.
A solo mission is the only kind I’m willing to risk.
Ciprian returns, stepping into the room cautiously. His eyes are red-rimmed, but his shoulders are relaxed.
“Are you good?” Ali asks.
Ciprian nods. “Sheena took Riven and Hyacinth to meet a witch who might be willing to mentor her.” He swallows, and a muscle in his jaw works. “And my brother invited us to breakfast.”
I tilt my head. “Why do you look like you’re about to make a run for it?”
He glances at his feet before reluctantly meeting my eyes. “I told him.”
“Told him what exactly?” Luca’s voice is sharp.
