Page 140 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

His gaze drags back to mine. “Is what the same?”

“Your attraction to females.” Blood rushes into my face, but I force the words out. “Is it tied to power, too? Or is beauty the more desirable trait when choosing a partner?”

His expression smooths into something carefully neutral. “I imagine it’s a combination of both.”

The answer disappoints me.

I can’t quite explain why.

“I see.” I purse my lips. “Well…I should go.”

I swing my legs off the bed and stand, smoothing my toga and running a hand through my hair as I head for the door.

“Where are you going?”

I look over my shoulder. Lines tug at the corners of Rian’s eyes.

“Um…my room?”

The muscle in his jaw ticks again. “Don’t.”

My eyebrows lift. Does he⁠—

“You should find Darius.”

My wayward thoughts deflate. “Darius?”

He nods, the motion stiff. “Your magic seems to have recovered. You should assess the state of his curse. I’m worried his condition has advanced.”

My forehead furrows.

It’s touching that Rian is concerned about his friend, but his mention of my power raises the hair on the back of my neck.

Because he’s right… The magic, the light magic flowing through my veins, feels fuller. Stronger. Mended.

Even more so than an hour ago in the library.

It’s almost like…

My pulse accelerates.

My gaze darts to Rian.

Did…did he somehow fix my power?

I open my mouth to ask when a series of knocks taps against the bedroom door.

“Rian?” Draven’s voice comes through the wood.

Rian rolls back his shoulders and calls out, “Yes?”

A pause. “Is everything…okay in there?”

The tips of my ears burn.

Gods… Draven can’t know what we did.

Can he?