Sweat rolled down Nicole’s spine. She was still holding back slightly, and as she went to punch again, his whole body swerved so she collided with him. She hadn’t wanted to let on that she needed his touch. That she neededhim. Because if she did, he’d give her what she wanted.
Just like the last time they were in a manor together.
Kyan moved faster than she could block and tackled her to the mats. He cushioned her fall but pinned her, drenching her in the scent and some of the delicious weight of his body.
Every minute brush on her skin affected her, the details of the world as specific as the tesserae of a Byzantine mosaic, each glittering as if hit by a beam of sunlight.
She’d read about Empyreals since she was a child. She was supposed to know how tobewhen she finally transformed. Not be unnerved and seduced by this new stillness, by the whispered, confident knowledge. By the fact that she felt so wildly different and yet never more herself.
But that self no longer fit in her usual family dynamic. She had new hungers they couldn’t help her with. Things only Kyan, or killing, could satisfy.
Things that wereforbidden.
‘Why am I feeling like this?’ she panted, throat tight with frustration.
‘It’s rare, but it happens. Some Empyreals feel a heightened hunting urge after they first transform. Often those who have naturally strong protective instincts beforehand.’
‘How long does it last?’
‘It depends on the person. Sometimes months … sometimes longer.’
Nicole let her eyes close for a brief moment. ‘You didn’t deal with this, did you?’
‘Honestly, I don’t remember, but I was only a child.’
She couldn’t imagine it: Kyan, uncontrolled? Feral for a hunt? He was too calm, too experienced.
‘I’ll deal with it,’ she said, opening her eyes again, facing his fierce expression and dark green eyes, blazing with concern.
Getting close was a mistake. Even if it felt so good.
‘Nicole, the way you deal with it, is you hunt.’
She fought the shiver at his words but it slicked down her spine anyway. Kyan lowered himself slowly, hips more solidly pinning hers, as if to hold her through it. But it brought his mouth an inch from hers.
Every roaring sense that had been plaguing her crooned to life. To feel his breath feathered over her lips and the controlled weight of him over her. Warm, languid desire bloomed through her limbs.
‘I hunted last night. It just – didn’t take it all away.’
‘You just need a safe space to be dangerous. I can be that place. Let me take you on a hunt.’
A hot curl of pleasure stirred in her chest. ‘How can you do that if you’re not supposed to be near me?’
Kyan watched her mouth, his face carved with concentration. ‘I’ll figure it out.’
‘You put yourself in too much danger.’
That was exactly the difference between them: she did the same, and yet he was so much more – noble.
She must have said it as she touched his face, because he gripped her wrist.
‘I’m not, Nicole. I can be vicious and dangerous. After everything I’ve done and the mistakes I’ve made, I’m not even worthy of—’ He cut himself off.
‘What?’ Nicole asked, concerned.
His jaw flickered. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Yes, it does.’ She nearly pushed up.
