She rushed on when his chest expanded with unsaid words.
“We are actually fine for now. I’ve been given the keys to freedom basically. I just have to take a test, and then I’ll get him back. Easy peasy.”
“Flintttt.” He dragged her name out. “That’s way too simple an answer. And don’t think I didn’t notice you say for now. What kind of a test?”
She smiled, and he wasn’t buying it for a second. She was appeasing him. He knew that because that’s what she always did when she thought he was about to blow a gasket. Clenching his back molars, he blew out a heavy breath. Meditation helped, even and clear breathing. It was a trick Rhiannon had taught him recently and one he was getting better at.
The curl of anger brewing in his stomach dissipated with the next breath.
Flint smiled. “Wow, you’re really getting good at calming down now, sweetie pie. What a cute little rager you are. So cute. So cute.”
She wriggled her nose like a bunny would, getting cutesy and coquettish. Flint never got coquettish; the brat was trying to switch the subject.
God, he loved her.
“Don’t try to butter me up with pet names. You’re evading my question.” He tried to sound stern, but really Flint always knew just what to say to make him laugh despite himself.
He chuckled.
Crossing her eyes, she muttered, “Fine. Look, there didn’t seem to be a reason to tell you any of this and make you worry for nothing. But it’s more of a gauntlet really. I have three tests to pass—speed, skill, and intellect. And that’s really all I know. I have a trainer helping me out, but that’s about it.”
“And if you don’t pass, what then?”
Her grin was nothing but teeth. That was her nervous smile, and it was all he could do not to give in to the panic beating at his chest. He could feel his blood vessels starting to expand with a surge of blood; his muscle tissue was also swelling.
But she was here, and she was safe. And all he needed to do was remind himself of that.
“Hm, that’s a loaded question. And you know what.” She flicked at his nose. If she’d been corporeal, he’d have snatched her hand up and kissed it. “I think I’m gonna pass on the telling of that story.”
“Flint.” He grunted, but she covered his mouth with her hand. He could still talk if he wanted to, but he clamped his lips shut and glared at her instead.
“Beast, stop. Okay? You don’t need to know all the dirt about me. Just trust me.”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
She sighed. “Because telling you that would make it seem more real. Look, if it happens we’ll cross that bridge then. But I have no plans of letting that happen. I’m going to win this gauntlet come hell or high water, and you’re just going to have to accept that.”
“Flint.” He tried again, but she was relentless and shook her head.
“You love me, Cain. I get that. You want to protect me, but guess what, rager, you’re not always going to be there to fight all my battles for me. The great thing about me though is that I’m not some pansy pushover. Now you’re just going to have to trust me and believe in me. I’m going to bring your brother back home, and God help me, I’m going to figure out how to save his sanity in the process.”
There were so many words on the back of his tongue, so many things he wanted to say, but instead he laughed.
The sound of it was full of pain, fear for them, and just the overall insanity of their situation.
“And here I thought you’d have the short end of the stick falling in love with me.”
Giggling, she crawled on top of him. He wished like hell he could feel her right now. But he could remember what she did feel like. The slight weight of her, the delicate and pulse-pounding moans she’d given when he’d driven deep inside her.
Cain couldn’t help the flow of blood that suddenly rushed south. It wouldn’t have been embarrassing at all except for the fact that she wasn’t really there and he was basically getting an erection for a ghost.
Her lips twitched as she glanced between them. But then her look settled into one of longing. “I miss you too, rager.”
Her words trembled, and he knew she was fighting back tears.
“Princess, you’re going to do it. You know that, right? You’re so strong, the bravest person I’ve ever known.”
“Oh, Cain.”
Her dark eyes shimmered wetly, and in that moment if the Devil himself had come and offered Cain a second to touch her in exchange for his immortal soul, he’d have taken the deal.
Instead, all he could do was sit by impotently and watch as her tears fell hot and heavy down both cheeks. The vines on her flesh suddenly sprang to life, wrapping delicately around her body.
She shuddered into their touch.
Sniffing, she wiped at her nose. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s just hard seeing you sometimes and knowing you’re so far away. I’m here alone, Cain.”
“Then come visit me every night.”
She frowned. “Cain, I have been.”
“What? But it’s been weeks.”
Shaking her head, Flint reached out her fingers, ghosting them down the corner of his face. “At least it hasn’t been years, Cain. I can deal with weeks compared to the alternative. Aduaal, which is the name for the dark court, runs in a timeline completely different from ours.”
His heart squeezed at the thought that he might not get to see her for years yet. He closed his eyes. “Please hurry home, baby doll.”
She was smiling down at him when he looked back up. “I swear I’m trying.”
“And Flint, you’re never alone. Not ever.” He shook his head, blasting all his love and devotion into her through their bond.
She trembled, lashes feathering beautifully against the tops of her pale cheeks.
“Have you found Layla?” she asked after several minutes, clearly trying to switch subjects.
Cain sighed. There was still so much more to say, but he wanted to respect her need to move on.
“We’re hiding out in the cave.”
She nodded. “The one Grace took me to before. Yeah, I remember. But why aren’t you guys looking for Layla?”
He growled. “Rhi, Seth, and Eli are out following up on leads. Adam and I have stayed back to watch out for Grace and Janet. Things aren’t good with the Order.”
Flint sucked in a sharp breath. “Are they after Grace now?”
He’d still not told her about the stroke, and now over a month into it, he still wasn’t sure he should. Not telling her was a burden that grew stronger with each day that passed.
He nodded. “I think so. Everything’s gone to hell here, Flint. To be honest, I’m kind of relieved you’re not here to see it. There’s a conclave of shifters up in the mountains wreaking havoc right now, zombie uprisings…” He paused when she curled her lips and shuddered. “Rumor is we’re gearing up for another Armageddon.”
She frowned. “Another Armageddon? I thought there was only going to be one of them?”
“No. They happen every so often in history, but all the signs are looking like we’re headed into another apocalypse. Things are bad and only bound to get worse.”
“Well, that’s depressing.” Her full lips turned into a delectable little pout. If she’d been with him, he’d have tugged her to him and kissed her senseless.
“How is Grace anyway?”
He nodded. “Frail. Really weak. Worried about you. But still studying her books. She’s been murmuring about Aunt Pandora lately. I dunno”—he shrugged—“it’s all a little confusing to be honest.”
“I remember your aunt. She was the pretty one from the carnival.”
He chuckled. “The Nephilim are all pretty. But if you’re talking about the raven-haired succubus with a purple streak in her hair, then yeah, that’s her.”
She smiled, but her shoulders suddenly wilted and she wasn’t as animated as she’d been. Cain knew their connection would soon evaporate, same
as it had last night.
Greedy for more time with her, he shook his head. “C’mon, baby, fight it. Stay with me.”
Yawning loudly, she crawled off and lay down beside him just as she had before, except this time he didn’t feel even the slightest spark of energy roll through him.
And she was much more faded out than usual, just a mere wisp of an image now.
“I just need to close my eyes for a second. Let’s just cuddlem’kay?” The two words slurred together sleepily to make one jumbled word, and he knew he was about to lose her again.
“I love you, princess. With all my heart, I love you.”
60
Flint
She woke up with a loud snore and drool gathering on her wrist. “Whaa?” Flint gazed around sleepily and then shrieked when she realized just how close Idris was to her face.
His grin was a mile long. “You snore, halfling. Did you know that?”
Wishing she could slap the heck out of him, she settled instead for groaning in pain when she tried to turn her head.
“Oh God.” She flattened her palm to her neck and cringed. “I didn’t mean to sleep in the chair all night.”
Idris looked from her to the mirror and back. “You were mind-walking.”
It wasn’t a question, so she didn’t treat it like one. Sniffing, she forced her tired and aching limbs off the seat and glared hotly at him. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
Crossing his legs at the ankles, Idris leaned against a bookshelf and winked. When he did, a table suddenly appeared in front of Flint that was loaded with breakfast foods.
Her stomach grumbled loudly the moment the scent of fatty, grilled breakfast meat, buttered onions, and fluffy eggs smacked her in the nose.
Three glass pitchers full of what looked like freshly squeezed OJ, grape juice, and some kind of fruit punch beckoned her. She swallowed hard.
“I need to brush my teeth first.”
Shrugging, he casually pushed off the shelf and sauntered toward a chair opposite her. Dragging it out, he sat and began serving himself a plate.
She almost drooled when he tore open a piping-hot biscuit, the yeasty scent of it making her groan in anticipation. It felt like forever since she’d eaten anything.
Thankfully, she’d only lost a few weeks’ time with Cain. That at least was reassuring. Though she resented losing any of their precious time together, she couldn’t really complain either.
She ran off to the bathroom and took care of her morning routine, then debated whether or not to change the robe she’d worn now for two days. Unlike on Earth where wearing the same outfit for two days would make it smell grimy and gross, her robe still looked as fresh and new as the morning she’d woken up wearing it. She actually did want to change though, but she’d wait to do it until after breakfast.
Running back to Idris, Flint was sure he’d eaten everything and had only put all that food there to tease her.
But there was still plenty by the time she sat and began serving herself. There was nothing dainty about her portions either. Flint dug in to the mounds of food with gusto, moaning her way through each bite.
Only after stuffing her face for a solid five minutes did she glance up to note that he’d not actually taken more than a nibble from each item he’d served himself.
“What’s the matter? Not hungry?” she said around a mouthful of food. She so wasn’t even trying to act like a lady right now.
Idris pushed his plate away. “No. I find I do not have a taste for your human foods.”
She frowned. “Then what do you eat?”
His full lips twitched. “Something a little more exotic than this.”
“Well”—she shrugged—“more for me.” She wasn’t lying either, she was already close to reaching out for a second serving.
Even though her diet had leveled out from the monstrous portions she’d eaten during the start of her change, her appetite was still twice as big as it’d been before all the weirdness of activated fae blood took her over.
He sniffed the pitchers of juice.
“I like the grape juice myself,” she said.
Wrinkling his nose, he pushed it toward her. “Smells too sweet.”
“Have you ever tried red wine? That’s sort of fermented grape juice, just with a little more kick to it. And not sweet.”
His eyes twinkled. “I really don’t think I like human food,” he said again, but she knew he was on the fence because of the way his finger kept caressing the pitcher.
Something told her Idris wasn’t as off put by Earth and its humans as the rest of his kind was. He was curious enough to figure out what foods she might like at least.
“Here.” She placed her fork down and did as he’d done just moments before, conjuring up a carafe of merlot. A good beginner’s wine with hints of blackberry, plum, and herbal flavors, it had always been her dad’s favorite.
Grabbing a cup, she poured him a little, then pushed it toward him. “Try it.”
He looked at it doubtfully.
“C’mon. I’m gonna prove to you that not everything about Earth sucks balls. Now drink.”
Lips pursing, he shook his head.
“Don’t be such a baby.” She stuck out her tongue, picked the glass up and swirled it around once before lifting it to her nose so she could inhale its bouquet. “My father’s side is Italian. Red wine practically flows through my veins.”
Then she took a small sip.
Technically she wasn’t “legal,” but considering she was on fae soil she doubted she’d broken any laws. Smacking her lips, she smiled at him. “It’s good. Not too sweet. Not too dry. Just right.”
He sighed, and she knew he’d capitulated when he reached over and demanded the glass with a flick of his fingers.
“Well?” he insisted.
Laughing, she pushed it into him. “Swish and smell first. It makes the experience more intense.”
He rolled his eyes, but nevertheless did as instructed. His first sip was tentative. He worked his mouth from side to side and, without saying a word, brought the cup back to his lips.
“See,” she singsonged delightedly. “I told you you’d like it.”
Grunting, he said nothing, but she almost wanted to dance a jig. Her plan to make an ally was coming along splendidly.
Leaning back in his seat, he splayed out one long leg while he continued to sip.
“How was your walking last night? Do you feel you can control it better?”
She ate more slowly now, feeling satisfied, but the food was so yummy that she couldn’t help but nibble at it still. “The first night it was really rough. I got exhausted almost right away, but last night was much better. I was able to maintain the connection for at least an hour or more.”
“Good.” He nodded. “It means you’re getting a little stronger, better able to control your connection to your realm and this one.”
“So my concentration’s split?” she asked. “Is that why I’m getting so tired?”
“Basically.” He nodded. “You haven’t fully committed to one side or the other, therefore your mind is fractured between your two homelands. Here and there. Mind-walking would be a simple matter if you would simply commit yourself to one or the other.”
“What?” She shook her head, setting her fork down. “But I am committed. I’m going back.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure you believe so. But the fact is you’re a halfling, and whether you recognize it consciously or not, the fae side of you wants to be here. On Earth we are still powerful, but have you not noticed your increased strength and power since coming here? Seen an alteration even in your appearance? You are as you truly are meant to be, darkling.”
She refused to accept that. Idris was just trying to play with her head or something. There was no way in heck any part of her wanted to stay here. Earth was her home, not here with these psychotic people who’d just as soon stab her in the back as smile to her face.
Th
anks but no thanks.
Blowing a raspberry, she took a sip of her grape juice and chuckled. “Sure. Whatever you say, zombie boy.”
His attitude was laissez-faire as he said, “If you don’t recognize that now, you will. When you walked in spirit with The Ciardah—”
“You mean before he fooled me and turned out to be such a douchenozzle? Yeah, I remember.”
His brows twitched. The equivalent of shock on a human’s face probably. She loved throwing Idris off. It made her days so much more enjoyable.
Lifting a brow, she waited for him to tell her just what a strange bird she was, but he said nothing.
Shaking his head, he pressed on. “One of The Ciardah’s favored forms amongst the mortals is that of a Viking male with red hair. His alternate form looks much like yours, in fact.”
“But here he looks completely different.”
Idris nodded, content to sip idly on his wine.
“So in Aduaal everything gets amplified. Does that mean when I go back home I won’t be quite so”—glancing down at herself, she frowned—“me?”
“You’ve been unlocked down here, faeling. If you really do choose to leave, you will miss it more than you know.”
She snorted. “Well, if that’s true, then I’ll make sure to come back for a visit now and again.”
He pursed his lips, giving her a noncommittal shrug, and she didn’t like that at all. She waited for him to say something, but he kept whatever secrets he had to himself.
Idris was hiding something from her. She just knew it.
Irritated with him but not really sure why, she set her fork down and shoved away from the table. “I’m going to go change. What’s our training for the day?”
His lips curled up at the edges as he took one final, long pull of his wine. “You’ll see. And Flint, wear something light.”
Then he vanished. No fanfare. No lights or fog or big booms of thunder. He was there one second and then gone the next. She really hated how ninja-stealthy these darn fae were.
Flint gazed around her room as an icy chill swept down her spine. What had he been hiding from her? And then of course her brain went from zero to sixty in a nanosecond as every doom-and-gloom scenario she could conjure came screaming out of the woodwork at her.
The Complete Tempted Series Page 70