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“Makes sense,” she says. “How long will it take for me to come into my power?”

“It’s hard to guess,” I say. “Everyone’s power awakens in its own time. I had only been a fledgling for a few months before I conjured my first illusion. The others… I think Risna had been a vampire for a year, Eivor less than that. And Carver… it took him about three years before he could animate anything.”

She wades over to the edge of the bath and sets down the toy wolf. “What do you think my power will be?”

“Only time will tell.”

“Maybe,” she says sarcastically, “my power is the ability to suss out different flavors of blood.”

I snort. “Why would you think that?”

“Your kindred seemed to think I was a natural at doing so.” She begins walking toward the stairs leading out of the pool. I follow her, desperate to limit the amount of distance between us. “I even won a favor from Carver.”

My eyebrows lift. “Is that so?”

“Mhm.”

“And what will you ask of him?”

“I’m not sure yet.” She shrugs. “Fortunately, I have eternity to think of something.”

The closer she gets to the steps, the more I’m able to drink in the length of her naked body. It’s fucking immaculate. Her desire scents the air, and I’m half-tempted to snatch her into my arms and onto my cock. I want her so badly that I’m mad with need, and I know she wants me just as much. It’s written all over her pretty face, in the sweet smell of her arousal.

Neither of us acts on our lust as we step from the baths and slip on a pair of robes.

Rory cinches hers shut. “Now what?”

“Now, we’ll get some rest,” I say.

Her face falls, and I hate myself for cutting our time together short.

She tilts her head to the side. “Why do we need to rest if we’re already dead?”

“Because it’s good for the body and soul.” I catch her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing the charmed ring adorning her index finger. “This ring allows you to live quite similarly to a mortal so you have some sense of normalcy.”

“Normalcy as a vampire?” she asks incredulously.

“Yes.” I chuckle as I escort her to her bedroom door. “Not only that, but since my kindred and I have begun resting during the day, we’ve found ourselves benefitting from quicker healing and increased strength too. Even our wells replenish faster.”

“That’s… interesting.” She eases the door open and steps inside. Lingering in the threshold, she worries her lip and says, “I’ll see you when I wake?”

“So long as you wish it.” I kiss her forehead. “Rest well, tiny monster.”

Chapter 22

RORY

The sun bleeds pastel swirls of pale pink, lavender, and tangerine across the sky by the time I crawl into bed.

My mind continues to tumble over everything I learned tonight. From the Seven, to Mihal, and our powers…

And the teeny-tiny fact that Quill and I are mates.

Perhaps my soul saw itself in him, recognized our tangled threads, and that is why I followed him into the night, why I trusted him with my body, my life.

Maybe I can trust him with my heart too?

I laugh quietly to myself in the empty suite.