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Laughter trickled in from somewhere in the maze. Baine’s expression turned to stone, and he swiftly dashed into another part of the garden. The quick movement made my head spin, and I blinked back the wave of vertigo hitting me.
When he set me on my feet, we were in another hidden area. A dangerous glint festered in his light eyes. I kept his intense gaze, uncertainty running through every inch of me as he pressed me against the ivy-covered wall. Sweet wine lingered on his breath.
Without a word, Baine took my arm and dragged his finger lazily across my bare forearm. The slow stroke sent a ripple of energy coursing through my body. The flame inside sparked to life, a tiny flicker, still dampened by the magic, but there. A simple gesture, yet for some reason my senses came alive. I needed more and tugged Baine closer, desperate to ignite the spark buried inside me. Those rough fingers of his danced on my skin, little bolts of warmth lighting me up. When he lifted his gaze to mine, there was a softness there, and curiosity?
Baine abruptly stepped back. “Your eyes.”
I heaved with wild emotions. Strange, wild feelings that confused and excited me, nothing like the stolen kisses and touches from when I played with the baker’s son near our family’s barn.
This was different,verydifferent.
“Rosalie.”
More laughter sounded from the other side of the wall. Baine lifted me off the ground and ran. The wind rushed my skin, cooling me. I didn’t know how far or long he ran, but when he finally stopped, we were on the other side of the estate, and the heat inside me had extinguished.
“What happened back there?” He laid me on the grass and crouched in front of me.
My belly warmed at the memory of his touch. “Do you want me to repeat it, or shall we continue?”
He scowled, and I pouted.Great, we’re back to that.
“Your eyes turned to flames.”
“My what?”
“Your eyes. They switched from blue to fire and your skin heated.”
A twinge of panic set in. I knew his touch had awakened my magic, but I didn’t understand why, or how, or what Baine thought of it. Did it mean I could possibly break through the dampening power of the choker I wore? Could I be that powerful? What would happen to my flame if Baine and I kissed?
I played with the hem of my dress. “Oh, I don’t know.”
The slight idea of Baine’s touch awakening my power sent my mind whirling with possibilities.
Baine grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “You do.”
No matter how much Baine excited me, he couldn’t know the truth. Not with my brother at the Borderlands. If word of my elemental heritage spread, they would throw him to the frontlines, and I would lose him forever. Nothing was worth that risk. Plus, I had a feeling if Lord Demious knew I was half elemental, I’d be the unfortunate winner of his competition.
When I didn’t answer, Baine released me. “We need to return. It’s been too long.”
He took my hand and helped me stand, but quickly let go.
“Yes,” I said, turning away from him. “I wouldn’t want anyone to miss me.”
I didn’t wait for Baine to respond or to follow. I stormed off toward the estate, desperate to make sense of this revelation and how I could use it to my advantage.
