He tries to call out again. “Ldigrbmahhndnpll.”
I snort, which is much better than the knee-slapping laughter that wants to come out.
“Do you want my help?” I ask, stepping closer.
Kol tries to nod, but his forehead and chin are frozen in place.
“But I’m only good at surviving, remember?”
He glares at me, and I cover my mouth to hold the laughter inside.
“Nthlpng.” Kol’s voice, though still muffled, is irritated enough that I bite my lips and step forward.
Slowly, I reach out and grasp his hand. Just like before, the jelly-like barrier slides around my skin, and I cringe at the wrongness of it. Especially when there’s nothing to see.
“How are you stuck in this when it’s so gooey and soft?” I ask.
But Kol only grunts an answer.
His fingers twitch toward mine, and I shove my hand farther inside then wrap it around his wrist and pull. He doesn’t budge, and I begin to wonder if I’m even strong enough to get him out.
I tug again, harder this time, and there’s a suction-y popping sound as the jelly turns to liquid, releasing Kol more suddenly than either of us is ready for.
He bumps into me as he falls, taking me with him.
I grunt as my back hits the ground, and Kol lands on top of me. The jelly or liquid or whatever it is has vanished, and now there’s only my skin against his.
Kol’s gaze captures mine, and his expression darkens. My belly heats, creating a tingle and a shudder that goes all the way through me. Without thought, I lift my hand and press it to his cheek then slide it around to the back of his neck.
His skin is slick, and I can feel the layer of dust that coats him underneath the sweat. It should be a complete turn-off, but instead, it’s dirty in a way that has me licking my lips in anticipation.
Kol leans down and presses his mouth against mine. My eyelids shudder closed, and explosions go off behind them. The pleasure rocks me, and I grab hold of him with both hands, hanging on for dear life.
Kol’s mouth moves slowly as if he’s savoring the taste of my lips. I press harder against him, pulling him to me because even though we’re already pressed together from mouth to feet, it’s not enough.
I want more.
Dizziness washes over me in waves, and I hear myself moan. It sounds strange to me, like another version of myself that I’ve only now just met. But I’ve never been kissed before. Not like this, anyway. And not by a—
A pain explodes in my head, spearing through my skull from temple to temple. Kol wrenches his mouth away from mine, but my arms are locked around his neck against the debilitating pain.
Death by kissing. There are worse ways to go.
Above me, Kol groans, and I have to assume he’s under the same sort of attack I am. Hopefully, he’s not this disappointed with our kiss.
He reaches up and pries my hands apart then rolls off me, coming to all fours in the dirt.
“Fuck, Iynx, ease up,” Kol says through clenched teeth. “It’s me.”
At his words, the pain in my head disappears.
“Kol Valco,” a woman says. “Is that really you?”
I pry my eyes open to look at the woman standing over us. The sexy fitted gown she wears displays her impressive breasts as she aims her cat-like smile at Kol. Her long brown hair, tied back in a braid that dangles nearly to her ass, sways as she steps toward him.
She doesn’t even seem to notice me as I sit up.
Kol rolls back onto his heels and cuts her a look.
“Do you have another guardian friend stupid enough to walk into your wards?”
She grins and grabs Kol’s shoulder, hauling him up for a fierce hug complete with neck kisses and wandering hands. I pretend the streak of jealousy racing through me is just suspicion. By the time they break apart, I’m on my feet and watching them with my arms folded as I count all the things that are probably wrong with her as a trade-off for being so pretty. I’m up to serial farter when Kol turns to me and says my name. Yep, definitely just suspicion.
“Elidi, this is Iynx. Iynx, this is Elidi, daughter of Hemera, my sworn.”
I paste a smile on my face and extend my hand, but Iynx ignores it, her gaze whipping to Kol.
“You have a light goddess ascending for a sworn?” she demands, and I can’t tell if she’s angry or just “suspicious” of me—like I am of her.
“The visions came to me,” he says quietly. “And so, I made the oath.”
Iynx gasps. “Does Vayda know? Does the Eggther?”
“Yes.” Kol’s expression offers more, and I watch as Iynx studies him for a long moment.
Shadows cross her flawless face before she finally turns back to me, and a slow smile spreads. She reaches for me with both hands, wrapping hers around mine. I wonder if it matters that I’m covered in sweat and dust and whatever residue that invisible barrier is made of, but she doesn’t seem to notice or care.
“Elidi, I am so pleased to meet you. I’m sure you want to get out of the sun and get cleaned up. Please, come.” She lets go of my hands and places hers on my shoulder, guiding me back the way she came.
I falter when I catch sight of the connected buildings before us. The two structures are a mix of wood and glass done in clean, contemporary lines with solar panels covering the main roof. A gravel walkway lined with pavers leads from the main door to the smaller building with a breezeway connecting the two.
“Was that there the whole time?” I ask.
Iynx pats my shoulder, urging me forward again. “The barrier conceals it. You can’t see it until you’ve passed through.”
“You mean the invisible jelly wall?” I ask.
Kol snorts and Iynx smiles knowingly. “It felt that way to you because you’re mortal. A Guardian would have felt something much thicker.”
“That’s why he got stuck in it,” I realize.
She nods. “It would have continued to solidify until it became like cement, crushing his airways until he died.” She sounds very satisfied with the possibility, and I look at her, horrified.
“Your mortality saved him. Good thing he was in his human form too,” she adds.
“What would happen if he wasn’t?” I ask.
“Earth magic repels god magic,” she says. “The stronger the god magic, the stronger the repulsion.”
“It gets a little explodey,” Kol says, clarifying.
I shudder, and Iynx laughs lightly.
“Here we are,” she says, way too cheerful considering the subject matter.
We stop in front of a glass door of the smaller building. Through the window, I catch sight of a cozy sitting area done in earthy tones and furnished with half a dozen deep-cushioned chairs.
“This is the guest house. Inside, you’ll find everything you need, so please make yourself at home. I assume you two would like to get cleaned up,” Iynx says.
I nod eagerly.
“Elidi, you’ll sleep in the bedroom here, and you can shower in the attached bathroom.”
“Thank you,” I say, grateful for the modern accommodations after the tents of Black Peak.
“There are towels and soaps already stocked for you,” she says. “I’d give you the grand tour, but it’s been a while since I’ve had visitors, and my hunger’s a little hard to quell just now.”
She turns a sultry gaze toward Kol. “Darling?” she says, hooking her finger into the waistline of his shorts. “Care to join me?”
Heat rushes up my throat and into my cheeks, and I don’t wait for him to reply before I push my way inside the guest house.
At my back, Kol says something too low for me to hear.
Iynx practically purrs at him in response, and a red cloud blurs my vision. I kick the front door shut and march across the pristine living space.
The bedroom is soft and inviting with a white down comforter and throw pillows that match the artwork hanging, all of it done in splashes of burnt oranges and browns. Opposite
the bed, two large windows look out over the desert, gauzy white curtains hanging over both. I turn away from them, barely seeing any of it in my haze of fury, and march past a shiny turquoise dresser into the bathroom.
Just inside, I stop and stare.
Some of my rage dissipates, and I wonder if it’s even possible to be this angry and this excited at the same time.
I haven’t had a bathroom this big ever.
A whirlpool tub complete with jets sits on a raised platform in the far corner, the entire dais encased in Spanish tile. A standup shower with heads on all three walls stands beside that, and on my right are double sinks and a counter top large enough to act out the entire bar scene from Coyote Ugly.
It even smells fancy. I note the essential oil diffuser already going in the corner of the open shelving beside the tub.
Had Iynx known we were coming? The thought just stirs my anger back to life.
“An angry bath,” I mutter aloud. “That’s what I’ll take.”
I decide to try my best to be multi-talented enough to both enjoy this haven and be pissed at my hostess and her shower-buddy. Maybe I’ll even use all the hot water just to spite the lovers in the big house.
“Kol’s a horrible kisser,” I say, repeating it to myself while I soak in bubble bath bliss.
Forty-five minutes later, I finally pull myself out of the water and wrap a towel around myself before heading back to the guest bedroom to look for clean clothes.
The moment I open the door, I spot Kol standing by the bed and yelp, scrambling back a step. My tenuous tuck of my towel loosens. Before I can grab it, the towel falls to the ground at my feet.
My eyes snap to Kol’s.
His gaze takes in everything I’ve just put on display. My skin prickles, and my nipples harden; and I hate that, for a split second, I don’t even want to cover up.
Then I notice that he’s exchanged his shorts for a fresh pair of sweats, and his hair drips at the ends, freshly washed and uncombed. And I remember that he’s come from doing God-knows-what with Iynx—right after making out with me moments before.
Heat floods my face, and I dive for the towel before retreating back into the bathroom. I slam the door between us. My breaths are labored as I cinch the towel even tighter around my body this time.
A quick glance in the mirror shows my wet, tangled hair falling over bony shoulders and framing a beet-red face. Not exactly on par with the seductress whose bathtub I’m borrowing.
There’s a soft knock on the door.
“You okay?” Kol asks, and there’s just enough amusement in his voice to make me more furious than embarrassed.
I march over and fling the door wide open, glaring back at him.
“I’m fine.”
“Well, you look great,” he says with a cocky smile.
I swing my hand out, but he dances out of reach before it can connect.
“Whoa, there. It’s not my fault you can’t keep a towel on.”
“I realize this isn’t the first time today you’ve been faced with a naked woman, but try to recognize I’m not using the opportunity to proposition you.”
His expression darkens.
“Elidi . . .” He trails off.
“What?” I demand, but it’s lost its bite because now, all I can think of is the way he kissed me earlier.
Kol’s stormy gray gaze swirls with all the things he isn’t saying out loud.
“What?” I repeat.
He looks to where I clutch the towel then he blinks, and I know I’ve lost him to whatever thoughts he’s battling.
“Help yourself to whatever’s in the closet,” he says quietly. “Iynx is bringing food and drink when you’re ready.”
Without waiting for an answer, he turns and walks out. I watch him go, frowning at his stiff shoulders until he disappears.
Horrible kisser, I remind myself, but the lie’s too empty to believe.
Chapter Ten
Iynx is waiting when I emerge, fully clothed and hair brushed. On the end table beside her is a tray with a pitcher full of something pink and an assortment of cookies. My stomach growls at the sight of the food, and I find myself torn between wanting to claw Iynx’s eyes out and wanting to kiss her.
“That dress fits you perfectly,” she says with a smile as I cross to where she waits.
“Thanks.”
My hands come up to smooth the flowy green skirt that billows out from an empire waist. It’s way too fancy for daywear, but it was the most casual dress in the closet. The only other options had been lingerie, which I assume belongs to Iynx.
“Lemonade?” she asks, pouring a glass.
“Thank you.” I accept the drink and don’t bother with polite sips. Instead, I gulp half the pink goodness before coming up for air.
Iynx laughs. “I’m sorry. I should have offered you water before your shower.”
“No, this is great.” It was more than great. It was delicious.
Iynx motions to the chairs by the window.
“Why don’t we sit? I’d love to hear about your trip.”
I sink into a chair, watching Iynx warily now. Whatever she wants to know, I’m sure Kol can fill her in. Unless they didn’t do much talking. The lemonade in my stomach turns sour at the thought.
“Where’s Kol?” I ask.
“He went to get some air,” she says.
My eyes narrow. I doubt she’s telling the truth since we both had plenty of air on the two-hour walk here. But I don’t say anything, instead taking another sip.
“You should know that he and I did not have sex earlier,” she says.
I nearly spray lemonade all over her silky maxi dress.
“What?” I ask when I finally manage to swallow.
“Kol and I didn’t—”
“Yeah, I heard you. I mean, why are you telling me?”
She shrugs. “Because it matters to you. Because you want to have sex with him.”
“Whoa, I think you have the wrong idea.”
She cocks her head at me. “Do I?”
“Yes. You know most people don’t just come right out and start throwing around words like ‘sex,’ especially if they’ve just met.”
Iynx wiggles her eyebrows. “They do with me.”
Her complete confidence leaves no doubt that she’s probably telling the truth.
“Well, Kol and I are not having sex. Nor do we plan to have sex. He’s my guardian. My protector. Nothing more.”
She leans forward, showcasing the top half of her breasts that are nearly spilling from her dress.
“Elidi, I would never betray your desires. Those belong to you, and only you can voice those to Kol or anyone else. I’m not going to say anything. I just wanted you to know that I see Kol isn’t free to pleasure me any longer.”
She leans back again, adding, “And I respect that.”
“You don’t have very good people skills, do you?”
“On the contrary. I am very skilled with people.” Her lips curve seductively. “Especially with pleasuring those people.”
My eyes widen. “Are you hitting on me?”
Iynx laughs, and it’s a real, honest belly laugh that puts me at ease while still somehow managing to turn me on.
“No, darling. Well, not unless it’s working.” She winks.
“Uh, no thank you.” My cheeks heat, and I cover my embarrassment by finishing off the last of my lemonade.
“Did Kol not tell you anything about me?”
“He said you were a friend and that your magic works with my mortal body so, you know, it won’t kill me while keeping us safe from the demon unicorns.”
“The Silenci.” Iynx’s smile fades. “Yes, Kol told me about your fan club. I’m so sorry. Aerina is a friend, and I hate to hear of her suffering.”
“You know my aunt?” I sit up straighter and set my glass aside, eager for Iynx’s answer.
Iynx hesitates briefly then says, “Aerina and I spent some time together several years back.
” Something about the way she says it, so careful, makes me wonder what brought them together. And what tore them apart. But Iynx goes on, “I have to say I’m surprised to hear Nicnevin is behind what happened. This is not like her at all.”
“Kol says she’s the Goddess of the Dead. I mean, based on the title alone, what’s to be surprised about?”
Iynx shakes her head. “Nicnevin’s role isn’t about causing harm; it’s about shepherding souls. She has access to the underworld as well as the celestial afterlife, and she doesn’t take that responsibility lightly.”
“What sort of celestial afterlife? You mean like Heaven?”
“Well, it’s not quite the human version you’ve heard about, but yes, essentially. Nicnevin escorts the souls of the dead into the realm they’ve earned when their mortal life ends. But she’s not violent.”
“Well, she made an exception for Aerina,” I mutter darkly.
“It’s a very interesting story,” she murmurs.
I study her, a little irritated. “It’s more than a story, and it’s terrifying, actually. Aerina is my only family, and now she’s gone. On top of that, I have to ascend, whatever that means, and find a way to defeat Nicnevin so I can save my aunt. Interesting doesn’t really cover it.”
“Of course, Elidi, I didn’t mean to dismiss your situation,” Iynx says. “Forgive me. This feud with Nicki isn’t something I take lightly.”
“Nicki?” I repeat. “Wait. You know her? Personally?”
“She’s come to me before.”
The way she says it holds meaning I can’t quite grasp. Whatever it is has Iynx’s mouth curving again in that same secret, seductive smile she used on me earlier.
“What would she come to you for exactly?”
“For sex,” she says as if the answer’s obvious.
I clear my throat. “Okay, I’m not judging here. Just trying to understand. Are you saying you and Nicnevin hook up?”
“Yes, occasionally. I am the Goddess of Pleasure, darling. My gifts work best on those who need the kind of companionship only a physical union can provide. Sometimes, I match others together, and sometimes I provide pleasure myself.”
I stare at her, speechless, as her words sink slowly into my shocked brain. “Like a madam or something?”
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