Out of the Mountain (38 page)

“You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. I enjoy it more than I should admit. When it disappeared after you used so much of your magic, I had to fight myself to keep my distance. I mourned the loss of your emotions mingling with mine.”

“It wouldn’t be as bad if I could feel yours as well,” I complained, and he sat straighter.

“Yeah, see, you don’t like the idea of that either. Why is it that you can feel mine, but I can’t feel yours?”

“It is rather complicated, but it has to do with the oath I swore. The closer we get, the more connected we are physically and emotionally. It enhances the bond, allows it to grow and flourish between us.”

“Makes sense, I guess . . .” I admitted, wishing I knew more about the way this bond was really supposed to work. My hand was in his, and he was tracing along my fingers with his other. He stopped on my middle finger and grinned.

“Sorry about earlier. I was feeling feisty,” I confessed. He chuckled pulling my hand up to his mouth. He kissed each of my knuckles slowly. His eyes met mine, and I shivered when they glowed yellow. His teeth flashed before he bit down on my middle finger playfully.

A rumbling sound escaped my throat, and I knew my eyes were flashing bright. That little contact of his teeth on my skin had been a surprise. He pulled my palm to his mouth and lightly nipped it as well. A shudder went through me as a low rumbling sound came from his chest in response to mine. Every nerve in my body was ringing with sensation. A whimper escaped my throat and he blinked quickly clearing his eyes and shaking his head.

“You will be my undoing,” he groaned out as he pulled me to him in a deep kiss. It was rough and quick, lips harsh and not nearly enough. I sighed when he pulled away.

“I find it hard to believe you would ever allow it,” I protested, shivering again at the thought of his teeth on my flesh.

“When the time is right,” he whispered into my ear as he pulled me to my feet, relinking our arms and walking through the courtyard as if nothing had happened. My body was still aching, and I was feeling sulkier by the minute.

“I can’t figure out if I would rather you not touch me at all,” I whined truthfully. He pulled me to a stop and slipped his arm around my back, pulling me flush against him. I held my breath as he trailed a hand down my back, farther and farther until he cupped my left cheek and gave it a firm squeeze. I stiffened as he let out another deep chuckle.

“You’re the one who’s a tease.” I complained at how riled up he was leaving me.

“If you were going to refuse my touch, I wanted to make sure the last one counted.” He winked, and I shook my head trying to hide a grin. He was even more irresistible when he was playful.

“You’re diabolical.”

“And you are delicious,” he quipped with a lick of his lips. My cheeks heated with embarrassment at my earlier reaction. I swatted him away, but he chuckled lacing my fingers through his as he led the way to Guard HQ.

***

Ribbons tied and passwords said, we entered the room to wait for the others to arrive. Farran was waiting to verify everyone as they entered. Malachi, Tamora, Tasmin, and Adelaide were already seated around the table. I took a seat next to Malachi nervously. Everyone had seemed normal at dinner, but what if I missed something? When Briony entered, I let out a sigh of relief. I hugged her as she took the seat beside me. Rowan stood at my back and I liked having him there.

“I am so glad to see you.”

“I knew you would be safe at least. I’m worried about the others,” she said, and I nodded.

“Me too. I’m just glad we had a head’s up. Could you imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t known?”

“Yea, we would have spilled our entire plans right to the enemy,” she grumbled, and I smiled when Luca walked into the room.

“There my girls are.” He winked, sitting next to Briony.

I tapped my fingers on the table, unable to take my eyes from the door as we waited. Genevieve and Peyton walked in, followed shortly after by Jonah. They each took a seat and started talking about what they hoped their guard duties would be. I listened for a minute, but without anything to contribute I started to feel a little left out. I knew it was silly, that I shouldn’t feel that way, but it was hard not to worry that they were about to move onto bigger things while I stayed behind. Trying to hide my unease, I turned to Malachi and Tamora.

“I’m glad to see neither of you were chosen.” I smiled when their eyes turned on me.

“If you had to choose which one of us you’re happier to see here . . . which would it be?” Malachi asked, and Tamora nodded.

“Yeah, who would you miss more if one of us was suddenly turned into a minion of evil?”

“You can’t seriously still be trying to win some kind of bet on me,” I complained, and they laughed.

“We have quite a few going right now. Just waiting for one of them to pay off.” Malachi grinned.

“A quick kiss would go a long way,” Tamora suggested, leaning closer in. My jaw dropped open at her boldness, and Tasmin made a gagging sound next to her, effectively drawing our attention.

“Have some respect for yourself, Tamora. She’s clearly not interested,” she remarked snidely, and Tamora’s eyes fell, a blush filling her cheeks. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed her sister was shaming her. My anger flared.

“Anyone would be lucky to have a strong, beautiful woman like your sister,” I snapped, and Tamora grinned at me.

“Maybe so, but she looks desperate trying to compete with Malachi for a kiss neither of them will get, and frankly we are all tired of hearing their desperate attempts.” She waved a hand at me in dismissal. Tamora had remained silent, embarrassed at being called out. Malachi had wrapped an arm around her shoulders and I knew that the two of them were only joking with me when they mentioned bets, but this public shaming had me angry. If I wanted to kiss someone, I would do it. Why did everyone always seem to think they had me all figured out?

Decision made, I leaned over Malachi’s lap and pulled Tamora to me by her shirt. She looked at me eyes wide for a second before I planted a firm but quick kiss against her mouth. I pulled back and grinned at her stunned expression as catcalls filled the room.

“Seriously?” Malachi cried, and I laughed along with the others when we saw Griffin frozen in the doorway with a look of confusion on his face.

“What did I miss?” he asked, recovering.

“Just the princess proving how easy it is to get into bed with her,” Adelaide grumbled, and I laughed aloud at the hypocrisy in her statement. I decided not to point it out.

“I hardly think a kiss among friends warrants a stay in my bed.”

“Well then, she demonstrated what an insufferable tease she is,” Tasmin said. I looked at Tamora, worried, and she laughed, easing my budding guilt.

“Don’t give me that look. I mean, you’re beautiful and everything, but clearly your attentions are aimed elsewhere. I held no illusion that that kiss meant anything more than winning a week of my dear friend’s pay and indefinite bragging rights. Tasmin just doesn’t feel comfortable with my sexuality, but I imagine she will get over it eventually,” she said, and Tasmin recoiled, face reddening.

“Well then,” I said feeling awkward. Rowan’s hand appeared on my shoulder, and I covered it with mine. I hadn’t even stopped and thought about what he might think of me kissing someone else. I met his eyes questioningly, but I saw no anger there, only the hint of humor. Conversation picked back up and soon after, all were accounted for. Everyone was still in the clear and it didn’t make sense.

“Maybe the vision was wrong?” Felix asked.

“It is possible that it has yet to happen . . .” Marlow replied, running his hands through his now dark-green hair.

“What’s going on here?” Silas barked from the doorway. Everyone jumped, turning toward the sound. Silas looked angry, his features pinched in a way that was not usual for him. Had no one thought to fill in the captain about our clandestine meeting? We all looked to Rowan.

“We thought we would hold a small celebration for the new guards, considering the fact that we have not yet held an official ceremony in their honor.” Rowan stepped forward, calm and collected. Silas eyed him for a moment before turning on the others.

“You know the rules. Everyone to the barracks now. As novices, you will be inducted with the others upon finishing the program. There will be no special circumstances for the friends of the princess.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone said as they quickly exited the room, faces grim.

Farran and Rowan shared a look before he followed the others toward the barracks. I grabbed Rowan’s hand as he led me from the room and out onto the empty street. He didn’t say anything, and my mind was spinning by the time we passed the market district . . . I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Did someone forget to fill Silas in?” I whispered as we rushed toward the palace.

“No,” Rowan said firmly, and my stomach dropped. Silas was the spy. I held his hand tighter and felt sad when I looked up into the night sky. Silas loved the stars as much as I did. Surely he would make it out of this alive.

We didn’t speak again until we entered my room. My mind was still spinning. Along with being an extremely powerful Shuni, Silas would have access to all of us and all the information available on us as well. It made sense that she would pick the one with the most access and influence. He would also be able to coordinate the others who were marked. This changed everything.

“What are we going to do?” I asked as I paced the floor at the end of my bed.

“Nothing. We will wait to see what moves he makes and counter as best as we can.”

“Everything keeps getting more and more difficult as we go,” I complained.

“Relax, Vinnie, there is nothing to be done tonight.”

“Relax. That’s a good idea,” I agreed as I entered the bathroom. He followed me in, and I froze.

“Are you planning on joining me?” I tried to joke, but my voice shook with anticipation.

“Tempting, but I only wanted to give you a gift.” He chuckled as he conjured a little bag just like the ones the novices’ guard uniforms had been in earlier. A glass bottle of milky-white liquid was inside. I opened it and took a deep sniff. Lavender. He crossed the room to the tub and started the water. I watched as he took the lavender milk bath and poured it into the running water. The scent filled the air and bubbles formed. The man was drawing me a bath. I swooned.

“Can I ask what this gift is for?”

“A gift to relieve the tension and unease you have been feeling, to allow you to unwind and have time to think through your troubles. To realize that you are not going to be forgotten by your friends, though you may feel as if that will be the case. Maybe it is a gift to make you feel special, since you seem to doubt it,” he rumbled as he moved closer to me, his eyes intently staring into mine.

“Or perhaps it is more selfish than that . . . perhaps I give it to you so that when I smell it on your skin, I’ll know that as you bathed in the scent, you thought only of me.” He purred as he traced a finger along my neck. I shivered as my eyes fluttered briefly closed with pleasure. He looked so serious, his jaw clenched tightly. A man at war with himself. I didn’t dare move as he looked me over, afraid he would pull away from me if I did.

His hands reached out for the bottom of my shirt, briefly brushing against my skin as he pulled it slowly over my head, discarding it into the basket neatly. My heart sped as he positioned himself behind me, turning me to face the mirror in the process. His eyes held mine in the mirror as his hands slowly slid down my arms and wrapped around my waist, pulling my back firmly against the hard line of his body. His lips touched my shoulder and my eyes slipped closed again.

“Mmm.”

“Indeed,” he rasped into my ear as his lips met the skin at the base of my neck. I trembled, chills spreading across my body in a wave of bliss. His hands began to roam as the kissing at my neck became more fervent. My eyes slipped closed of their own accord as I reached my hands up and wound them into his hair, a keen ache already starting in my lower belly and quickly spreading to every inch of my body.

One of his hands held me firmly to him, but the other slid smoothly across my body, pausing frustratingly near all the places I yearned for him to touch. I tried to lean farther into it, but he only moved his hand back to splay firmly across my ribs. Frustration hot and heady filled me, and I reached back, grasping a handful of his hair and yanking playfully, pulling him closer into me. A low growl escaped him, rumbling against my neck. My heart raced at the sound before he nipped my shoulder with his teeth, sending fire through my veins. I pressed his mouth more firmly against me again, enjoying the feel of his teeth against me and practically begging for more.

His lips paused only a moment before he bit more firmly at the base of my neck. I shivered, nearly going limp against him as he kissed the spot tenderly. His hand was making the trip back up my ribs, and I gasped when his lips met my ear, sucking it into his mouth. Our eyes met in the mirror before mine briefly rolled back in my head with the sensation. My body was primed and ready, an ache like I’ve never felt before building low and steady.

His left hand held me firmly at my navel as his right slid easily up my side. When he deftly pushed my bra aside, rubbing his thumb across the peak of my breast, I gasped, unable to stop myself. The raw sensation sent my muscles clenching, my legs shook with the pulsing need at my core. He sighed, slipping his hand out and I tried not to pout as he turned from me to shut the water off in the now-full tub. He adjusted himself, clearly aroused, and I could see him trying to regain control, but I wasn’t so sure that was what I wanted.

I could see the decision in his eyes as soon as he made it, his decision to pull away from me again, to deny what was happening and stop this from going any further. Desperate to keep him in this moment, I quickly unsnapped my bra and threw it aside. His eyes fell on my breasts before he quickly looked away.

“Vinnie!”

“Oh come on, you just had your hand around one of them,” I complained, reaching out to him.