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Terra whirled at the sharp words, her moon gratitude ritual interrupted, and gaped at Rian who stepped closer. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight, and his face was all sharp edges and shadows.
“I … I struggle with being inside. I needed some fresh air.” Terra was immediately aware of two things. The first? Her body seemed to come alive under his unwavering gaze. And the second? The knife he sought was clearly visible strapped to her thigh. She’d miscalculated, and now Terra waited to see what Rian’s next move would be. Gathering her power inside of her, she put her hand to the hilt of her blade. It didn’t matter the move would draw his attention, it was better to be prepared.
His eyes flitted to the knife at her thigh, and she watched as he drew in a ragged breath, his chest shuddering with the effort.
“Why are you always naked?” Rian all but growled as he prowled closer, circling her, and forcing her to turn with his movements in order to track him.
“I’m notalwaysnaked. But it’s my preferred state of being when I’m alone in the wilds. Do you have a problem with nudity?” The Fae weren’t modest, and clothes were oftentimes an afterthought depending on the situation. They didn’t attach any moral value to being clothed or not, though the wearing of clothes was the more common choice among most Fae. Quite simply because the Fae loved beautiful things, and elaborate dress adorned with gold or sparkly accessories appealed to their love of all things flashy.
“No, I don't have a problem with nudity. I have a problem withyoualways being naked.” Rian ran a hand through his hair, frustration in his voice.
Interesting. Terra was reminded of Bianca’s point about how simple men could be at times. Was her body driving him to distraction? Would he be overcome with lust like he’d been earlier that day? Curious, she stepped closer to him and was shocked to see him take a step back.
“You told me that you liked my body, if I remember correctly? Has that changed? Also, you’ll have to teach me your spell for how you were able to transport just the image of yourself without being in the same place. Fascinating, really…” Terra trailed off as Rian gaped at her.
“This is not … we’re not…” Rian sputtered. “You are mycaptive. We aren’t friends exchanging recipes here, Terra.”
“Right, right. It’s just that I find what you did so fascinating, and I’m genuinely interested in learning from you.” Terra tried batting her eyelashes at him as she remembered Bianca’s advice about trying to flatter Rian.
“Is something wrong with your eyes?” Rian asked, confusion crossing his face. He kept a healthy distance between the two of them, and Terra couldn’t help but wonder who was really the captive here?
“Yes, just a bit of the salt in the air,” Terra said.Eyelash fluttering was out.Noted.
“Put your dress back on and come with me. You shouldn’t be this close to the cliff’s edge.”
“I’d like to finish my ritual,” Terra said, digging her toes into the ground.
“This isn’t about what you’d like, princess. We’re not at a spa or some yoga retreat. What you want is irrelevant. Understood? The earth doesn’t care about your stupid rituals. Nobody…” Rian broke off, but Terra already knew what he was going to say. That nobody cared.
Becausehethought that nobody cared about him. Bianca was right. The man was all but crying out for love. She’d have to be patient with Rian but, luckily, as leader of the Earth Fae, Terra understood patience in a way that many did not. She took her lessons from nature, where sometimes change could take thousands of years to enact. Quickly, she stepped forward and put her hand to Rian’s chest, feeling the beating of his heart beneath the soft flannel shirt he wore. Rian stared at her, disbelief and something deeper moving behind his gaze.
“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” Terra said, infusing love and concern into her touch, so that a soft rush of energy left her palm and flowed to him. Rian grabbed her hand, breaking the connection with his heart, and gripped it almost tightly enough for her to wince.
“I’m not hurting. Don’t you understand, princess? I don’t feel anything at all.” Rian bit the words out, as though she couldn’t see past his lies, his face haggard in the moonlight.
“I don’t believe you,” Terra whispered. The moment stretched out, and Terra thought maybe, just maybe, she might be breaking through to him. She could see as he struggled for control.
“That’s just fine. I’m used to nobody believing me, remember?” The words hit her like a whip and, before she could retort, his lips were on hers.
She wanted his kiss. Goddess, but she wanted him, but not like this. As his fury poured into her, she matched him with her own intensity, trying to use her light to push back his darkness. They fueled each other, Rian hitching one of her legs around his waist, and cupping his hands around her bum. He squeezed her soft flesh so tightly, Terra was certain she’d have bruises. And still she didn’t break the kiss.
This was a man who needed love, and she was resolved to give it to him in any way that she could. His lips on hers demanded everything, and Terra held nothing back, relishing in the fire that raged between them. It was another lesson from nature that Terra sought now. While nature could be achingly patient, it was often violent and wildly unpredictable at times. Knowing that, she reached between them and cupped his hardness, her grip causing his entire body to tremble beneath her touch. She stroked him, not softly, and laughed when he cursed into her mouth. Frustration was replaced by longing, and soon he thrust into her palm, as Terra pulled him toward completion. When he came, his body shaking beneath her touch, Terra smiled and stepped back, her lips swollen from his kiss.
“I believed you,” Terra said, holding his eyes. Her entire body begged for his touch, but she wouldn’t allow herself such pleasure. She needed somewhat of an upper hand here, though her path forward was getting cloudier by the minute.
Without another word, Rian turned and stormed away, taking with him the temptation to lie down beneath the moonlight and beg him to worship at her altar. Terra pressed a hand to her lips, still tasting him, and turned her head to the moon. Only then, after she’d centered herself, did she realize that a certain pulse of magick was missing.
Her hand went to her thigh, her heart plummeting, and she swore.
Rian had stolen the amulet, and she only had herself to blame for it. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head and asked for the moon’s forgiveness.
9
Rian staredat the Earth Fae’s knife, turning the blade in his hands, the thrum of power palpable against his palms. This was the culmination of years of focus, and now, if he chose, he could bend their people to his will with this knife. It wasn’t like he could demand blind obedience, but the one who carried the amulet commanded the power of the Earth Fae. Already, Rian could sense how carrying such an enchanted item maximized his own power. Strapping the knife to his calf, he finished undressing and waded into the cold stream to wash the day’s dirt and grime away.
And the reminder of how quickly Terra had stroked him to spine-tingling joy. No. Not joy. Just pleasure. That was all. He hadn’t been with a woman in ages, and Terra was an intoxicatingly beautiful one at that. His hands flexed in the icy water, as though he could still feel her soft curves beneath his palms, and his body twitched in response. She was a walking fantasy, her body made for touching, her mouth a gift. He was certain he could have reached completion from her kiss alone, for there was something about her that made him crave her. The taste of her was like sweet wine, a delicacy to be savored, and somehow he’d allowed her to get the upper hand in that situation.
Well, not entirely.
