Innocent Darkness (30 page)

Noli wandered through the wing looking for V. His mood this morning puzzled her, especially after he’d been so … affectionate last night. Perhaps he was angry because
she
was the one to reach out. Her cheeks burned. The different rules regarding the sexes frustrated her. What was perfectly acceptable, or even encouraged for men, would cause a lady to be “ruined.” Even the Otherworld probably held such conventions, as silly as they might be.

He wasn’t in the sitting room, or the library, or his room, or the garden. Sighing, she tried the library once again. No. Absently, her fingers rolled over the spines of a row of books. Maybe she should amuse herself until he found her. The library held a number of interesting books; she could go into the garden and read.

That didn’t seem right after what she’d learned yesterday. Little wood faeries—and other creatures—were dying. The land was fading away. A whole world would perish unless they did something soon. Was it selfish she didn’t want to be that something?

Surely, she and V could find a solution, but that meant doing something more than reading in the garden. Perhaps he’d been cranky because of his visit from the queen. It must have taken a lot to stand up to her. Maybe now he he’d be willing to let her help.

She might not want to die, but she didn’t want them to either.

“That one, right there, is one of my favorites.” The voice startled her, and she yanked her fingers away. “I’m sorry.” V entered with a bundle in his arms. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s all right. Which one?” She stared up at the spines. He always recommended good books.

“Here.” Getting behind her, he took her wrist and guided her hand to a red book with gold writing. “That one. My mum used to read it to me. Actually, she taught me to read using those stories.” His smile became bittersweet, eyes sparkling with sadness and memories.

Pulling it off the shelf, she thumbed through it.
“Strange Mortal Tales?”
She laughed. “What sort of book is that?”

It was hardly
Nicomachean Ethics.

She nearly dropped the red book as she remembered what had happened to the other.

“A silly one. My father thought it dreadful nonsense, so of course she read it to me every night.” He cocked his head, a lock of blond hair falling into his eyes. “Is everything all right?”

Biting her lip, she looked at the burgundy rug, tracing the black designs with her stocking foot. “They took away my books at Findlay House. I … I hid
Nicomachean Ethics.
When Miss Gregory found it she made me throw it into the fire page by page as punishment.” Cheeks burning, she turned away. “I’m sorry. I’ll replace it. I promise.”

“It’s only a book. Books are just things—unlike people, they usually can be replaced. I’m sure we can get another.” He wrapped an arm around her waist making her heart flutter a little. That was more like her V.

“You think so?”

“Here, I brought you something.”

Her body stiffened at his words as another man’s voice echoed through her mind.

“What’s wrong?” Reaching up, he tucked one of her unbound curls behind her ear. “You’re still wearing yesterday’s gown. When I went into another wing, to my father’s library, I found something else for you to wear.”

Sure enough, he held a giant old book and a bundle of green fabric. It wasn’t enough for her to relax. How different was her best friend from Prince Stiofán? Everyone else she’d meet in the Otherworld seemed to be a liar. Who was the real Steven—V or Stiofán—and what was he like? Would he betray her, too? The thought made her knees tremble. Not only was he her best friend, but he might be more …

“Noli, Noli, look at me.” Strong fingers with a light touch canted her head, forcing her to meet his gaze. “What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”

His familiar voice grounded her. Biting her lip, she looked at him through veiled lashes. “Are you trying to distract me? Avoid my questions by bringing me presents?”

V’s green eyes blinked back at her. “What are you talking about?”

She twisted out of his arms. “Every time I asked about going home Kevighn distracted me with something—a new seedling for the garden, exotic blooms, sweets.” Her face contorted. “And I fell for it, like a silly child.”

V’s hand tangled in her unbound hair. “It doesn’t make you a lesser person, and no, I’m not trying to distract you, I … ” His cheeks colored. “I wanted to see you in green.”

“Green? You’ve seen me wear green before.” Her eyebrows rose. Boys could be so strange sometimes.

He gave her a shy, bashful smile. “This is different. Besides, you look dreadful in that shade of pink.”

“Some chivalrous prince you are,” she laughed, bumping him with her hip.

He laid the gown in her arms. “Do you want me to help you?” His grin went from shy to boyish. “I’m afraid there are no ladies’ maids here.”

“That is most improper, sir prince.” She faked outrage, lips pursing as she tried not to laugh.

“That’s
your highness,”
he teased back, putting down the big book. “Here, let me help.” Reaching around her back, he undid the laces of the brown bodice, eyes on her the entire time as his nimble fingers made quick work of it. The bodice fell to the floor, leaving her in only the pink gown.

“I … ” Her insides screamed. “I … I should go change in my room.”

“It’s just us.” V’s voice took on a low and soothing cadence. “No one’s here to tell us it’s improper—not your mother, not my father. Nothing will happen … unless we want it to.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She found herself wanting him to pull the dress over her head, to run his hands over her thin chemise, feeling her body underneath …

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to push those feelings away. “I’ll be right back.”

Before he could answer, she left library and practically ran down the hall. Closing the door to Elise’s bedroom, she put her back to it. Why did he do this to her?

She washed her face with water from the pitcher on the nightstand. Elise’s bedroom was pale pink with fluffy white curtains, colorful ribbons, and furniture painted with butterflies. Had James done that? He was an ace artist.

Noli pulled off the pink dress and laid it on the dresser. Shaking out the green dress, the soft fabric caressed her fingers. The gauzy, pale green underskirt made up many layers, like a crinoline, but softer. The a-symmetrical skirt of the dark green overdress reminded her of flower petals. When she pulled it on she realized it also revealed her bare arms. She couldn’t lace up the back herself either.

Someone knocked on the door and it cracked open. “Noli?”

“Come in.” Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

V walked in and drew in a sharp breath. “I knew you’d look lovely in green.”

Something about the way he looked at her made her insides tighten. “You are so silly. But I think the dress is missing the sleeves. Did I drop them?”

Walking behind her, he tied the laces, his breath warm on her neck. The whole gesture seemed so … intimate, but in a sensuous way that made her feel …

It made her feel like a woman.

“Beautiful. I like you in green.” His expression was both satisfied and predatory. “The dress is supposed to be that way.”

“A sleeveless dress in the daytime?” Scandalous—like the things those courtiers wore. “What exactly is your obsession with the color green?” This mood of his was strange, but better than him pushing her away.

“We’re earth court.”

“Oh.” They stood dangerously close to each other and she felt the energy crackle between them like a Tesla coil.

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” His hand cupped her cheek, causing the sensation to spread across her body like gooseflesh.

“I … don’t understand.” Noli’s voice came out breathy as her chest tightened.

“Don’t be afraid.” He pulled her tightly to him, his hands gently caressing her back. “Things are different here … it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Kevighn’s words about giving yourself to a man you cared for came back to her. Noli buried her face in the crook of V’s neck. He kissed the top of her head. Featherlight kisses trailed down her bare neck, her shoulder, her naked arms, her collarbone.

His lips met hers in a kiss so deep it seemed as if he tried to reach into her, become part of her. Leaning into him, she kissed back, trying not to make a fool of herself as she explored his mouth with hers.

Part of her ached and she pressed her body against his trying to relive that longing. He groaned and she felt him press back. Ah, yes. A happy sigh escaped her lips.

One of his hands brushed across her uncorseted breast making her body explode with inner fire, her lungs gasping for breath. Despite her fear, she wanted more.

In a bold and daring gesture, her hand found the waistband of his trousers, slipping beneath, feeling the small of his naked back with the flat of her palm. She wanted to float away on a cloud of pleasure between the texture of his form, the pace of his hands, and his kisses.

“Please.” She didn’t know what she asked for, but she wanted it now. His kisses deepened to the point where she felt like she could drown in them. Yes.

“NO!” V’s pained shout broke her out of her pleasureinduced haze. His palm shot out, striking her in the solar plexus, forcibly pushing her body away from his.

Her eyes widened and her stomach lurched, the breath going out of her from the force of his blow. She couldn’t even speak.

“I … I’m sorry, Noli, but we can’t do this.” A look of terror crossed his eyes.

“We won’t then.” It was tough to force the words out. As much as she liked this, it also terrified her. Even now her body burned with passion, with longing, with need, with shame. Her hand rubbed where he’d hit her in the chest. She walked over to him and reached out her other hand to touch his face, to comfort him.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t you understand?” His voice grew sharp.

“I … I only wanted to comfort you.” Shame filled her and she bit her lower lip. “And no, I don’t understand. I’m frightened and excited, terrified and wanting all at the same time … ”

V’s face contorted. “Just go.”

“What?” Her lower lip quivered. Where would she go?

“Please, just go.”

What had she done? She’d merely followed his lead. “Fine.”

Pushing past him as roughly as she could, she ran out, heading straight for the garden.