Page 9 of If I Were Wind

“I’m sure of that, but at least I’m not a coward who uses her illegal power to assault a man who, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t touch you with a barge pole.”

Judging from the red flush on her face, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a brain haemorrhage. With snappy gestures, she collected her towels and left the bathroom without saying a word. Or punching me. Phew. All the air rushed out of my lungs.

Clare’s paralysing power was an illegal one. Beasts were supposed to report the development of special skills when they appeared. But she had skipped that part. Heck, Roy had so many secrets he could use against her that she would be kicked out of the manor or worse. But no. She blackmailed him in turn, thus they were at a stand-off.

When my body stopped shaking from the adrenaline and anger, I picked up my toiletry bag. I might as well start packing. I stuffed my toothbrush and a jar of body lotion in my bag when a shadow flickered across the mirror.

“What—”

The attack arrived so fast, I had barely the time to turn around. But I didn’t see anyone. Only the pain in my head was loud and clear. And the hint of a sweet perfume. As I’d said, Clare was one of the best fighters in Raven Park. Darkness claimed my sight, stopping the pain in my head.

When I opened my eyes, Peggy was looming over me. Her worried face close to mine as she touched my forehead. “Are you all right?”

I groaned while she helped me sit up. “I think so.”

“What happened?”

“Clare. She attacked me.” I was lucky she hadn’t bitten me.

“Clare?” Peggy frowned.

“At least I think it was her. It happened so fast.” I rubbed my forehead. “I saw a shadow, then I was knocked out.”

“Maybe you slipped?”

“I don’t think so.” I put a hand on my head, pain throbbing through my skull.

“If you’re sure she attacked you, you should report her.”

Was I sure? Yes. Did I have proof? No. I hadn’t even seen her. I’d admit that she was good at committing a crime without leaving traces. “I’ll think about that.”

Peggy patted my shoulder, her frown deepening. “Roy is waiting for you outside. He seems worried.” With a cloth, she wiped a drop of blood from my forehead. “Look at you.”

“I’ll see him in a minute, thank you.” I took the cloth from her hand.

“I’ll go and tell him before he barges inside here.” Her face scrunched up, as if the idea of Roy in our bathroom horrified her.

I waved dismissively. “I don’t think he cares that much if I’m late.”

She paused on the threshold, brow arching. “I don’t think you know him all that well then,” she said before leaving.

Fantastic. That was the second time I was told I didn’t know Roy. I tossed the dirty cloth in the basin. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps I didn’t know him as well as I thought.

Roy was leaning against the wall when I came out of my room on wobbly legs. He eyed my forehead, his posture tensing. “What happened?”

“Clare.” I didn’t need to add why she’d attacked me. “I think it was her. She was so fast I didn’t see her.” Another drop of blood trickled down my cheek. “I’m not even sure I saw a shadow. That’s how fast she is. Only her perfume gave her away.”

His heady scent reached me, starting the usual tingle on my skin.

“Come here.” The huskiness in his tone turned my legs into rubber.

I shuffled towards him, unsure if I should let him heal me. Officially, we still were mentor and apprentice, and I hadn’t merged with anyone else. But the more I remained close to him, the more he became like a drug, and the more I craved his touch. It wasn’t a healthy relationship. Not for me. I should refuse, tell him that I was fine. It was just a scratch after all. I’d seen worse. But my body had other ideas.

His fingers slid on my nape and pulled me closer gently. The soft brush of his lips over my forehead had me shivering. I wasn’t ready for the new onslaught of desire rushing through me at the simple contact. A quick lash of his tongue over the stinging cut sent a ridiculous amount of pleasure jolting through me. The ache that never went away when he was close throbbed between my legs. Begging him to take me sounded like a jolly good idea, and my bed was only a few feet away.

I had no clue how the other partners, who healed each other, could deal with the overwhelming wave of sheer pleasure the healing triggered. I’d never seen partners fighting the urge to have a fumble while being healed. Was it only me? Was there something wrong with me?

A moan was about to escape from my lips, but I bit it down. My dignity was the last thing I had left. I was a breath away from begging him to kiss me and losing it. Even Roy was breathing hard, his chest swelling. With each brush of his lips and tongue, the pain disappeared, forgotten, pulverised under the strength of my desire and the pleasure of his kiss. He inhaled deeply, muttering something about my scent smelling like Eros. His body pressed against mine, making me feel every hard ridge, and I gripped his biceps. Voices echoed from the hallway, followed by muffled noises and footfalls. Gosh, we were doing it again.

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