Page 63 of Fated for Flames

“Because, little phoenix, your trust is precious to me,” he said softly.

He leaned in closer, his breath grazing my cheek.

A wave of emotion crashed over me, mingling fear and exhilaration in equal measure. The intensity of our connection was undeniable, drawing us closer with each passing moment.

“But,” Alister continued, his lips brushing against my ear in a tantalizing whisper, “if you were to offer yourself willingly…that would be a different story.”

My heart raced at the implication of his words, the forbidden allure of what he was suggesting sending a thrill through me. Iknew the dangers, but at that moment, all I could think about was the magnetic pull between us, the undeniable chemistry.

I met his gaze, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. “And if I did that, what would happen?”

A slow smile spread across Alister’s beautiful face, his eyes flashing with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat.

“Then,” he murmured huskily, “we would both experience pleasures beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”

Alister’s words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken implications. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him as a rush of conflicting emotions surged through me. Just as our faces were mere inches apart, he pulled away. The moment of tension between us dissipated.

“You should probably head back,” Alister said, gesturing toward the setting sun outside the library window. “It’s getting late.”

Reluctantly, I gathered my things and stood up from my seat. Alister did the same, and together we walked out of the library, the memory of our almost kiss lingering in the air between us.

39

Evelyn

The Sunday sun was setting, casting long shadows as I walked toward Lucien and Rafe’s cottage. The quaint house was bathed in warm hues, the stone exterior a comforting sight amid the rapidly cooling air. My heart pounded in my chest. I was likely going to get grilled with questions, now that they knew it was Lia benefiting from the siphoning of my magic.

Upon reaching the door, I took a deep breath and knocked. Almost instantly, Lucien swung it open, his vibrant green eyes scrutinizing me with an intensity that made me shift on my feet.

“Evelyn,” he greeted, stepping aside to let me in. His gaze never left mine, the silent question hanging between us.

I followed him into the cozy living room, where Rafe sat on a couch, his eyes lighting up at my arrival.

“Did you know about Lia’s magic or lack thereof?” Lucien began, leaning against a bookshelf, his arms crossed over his chest.

Guess we’re diving right in.

I shook my head. “I knew she didn’t have much, but I…I had no idea her magic was that weak.”

Rafe shifted on the couch, his wings rustling softly behind him. “Morgana most likely orchestrated this.”

“It would seem so,” Lucien agreed. “Lia doesn’t have the knowledge or resources to create something that could siphon magic.”

We all nodded in agreement, our faces grim.

The room fell silent for a moment before I broke it.

“There’s more,” I confessed.

They looked at me expectantly as I shared my other suspicions. The suspicious death of the previous matriarch that Professor Wren had mentioned during our History of Witchcraft class, how she had supposedly fallen into the fire during the equinox celebration and Morgana, who was practically magic-less at the time, had risen to power immediately after that.

Their reactions were instant and palpable; Rafe’s eyes widened in disbelief, while Lucien’s jaw tightened, a frown marring his grumpy face.

“And my parents’ accident,” I remembered, feeling a lump form in my throat. “It happened just one week before the matriarch’s death.”

Rafe and Lucien exchanged glances before Rafe turned back to me, his expression grave. “What are you saying, Evelyn?”

“I don’t know.” I rubbed my temples. “But something isn’t adding up.”

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