Page 146 of Duskbound

His words struck something deep within me, a truth I'd been trying to ignore, but that had become so glaringly obvious over the last few days that I felt it in my bones. Laryk had been the first person to see what I could become, to believe in my potential. But Aether... Aether was the first person who understood who I'd always been. In that deep, unexplainable way that only two souls who had existed by hiding could ever truly understand.

My mind drifted to that first night in the tower, when something had sparked between us in the darkest and most confusing of ways. That connection had terrified me then. Maybe it still did. But I couldn't deny it anymore.

Rain streamed down my face as I looked up at him, my heartthundering in my chest. "That's why I'm confused, Aether. Because you've been tearing my walls down too."

Suddenly he was moving, and my world narrowed to nothing but him. His arms wrapped around me as my lips found his, and the sky split open.

Rain poured. Thunder cracked. But all I felt was the sun.

The heat of him burned through my wet clothes, searing every place we touched. I wanted more. Needed more. My fingers tangled in his hair as my shadows slipped free, seeking his darkness. The groan that tore from his throat sent lightning through my veins, and he deepened the kiss with a hunger that matched my own.

His hands slid down, gripping my thighs, and the world tilted. My back hit the wet ground, and then he was everywhere—his weight pressing me down, his heat seeping into my bones. More shadows poured from me, seeking him, needing him.

He broke away, breathing hard. Raindrops clung to his lashes as he stared down at me, his golden eyes molten. His fingers threaded through my soaked hair, and something in his gaze made my heart stutter. Like I was both salvation and damnation. Like I was everything.

Darkness crept into my vision as our shadows merged, dancing beneath our skin. Every touch sparked something deeper. Every brush of his fingers left trails of fire. The pleasure of it was devastating—this giving and taking, this sharing of darkness. I couldn't tell where I ended and he began.

His mouth found my neck, tongue tracing paths that burned despite the cold rain. Another wave of shadows passed between us and I moaned, the sound raw and desperate. His answering groan vibrated against my throat as his teeth grazed my skin.

My head fell back, eyes fluttering as pleasure threatened to consume me. Through the rain, through the haze of desire, my eyes widened.

And my heart stopped.

Fear crystallized in my veins, sharp and sudden as a blade. There, through the storm—a ship. The Sídhe crest billowed on its sails.

And it was heading straight for us.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

"Aether."My voice cracked on his name. Something in my tone made him freeze, golden eyes finding mine before following my gaze across the water.

We moved as one, shifting to shadow form in an instant. My heart thundered as we rematerialized beside the Vördr, urging them deeper into the forest.Had we already been spotted?The thought sent ice through my veins.

"We need to be close when they come ashore." Aether's voice had shifted, all traces of intimacy replaced by tactical precision. "Find out what they're doing here."

I nodded, still tasting him on my lips, still feeling the ghost of his touch on my skin. But there was no time for that now. We dissolved into darkness once the Vördr were hidden, moving silently toward the shore.

Through the mist, the ship emerged like a ghost—first just a shadow, then taking solid form. Water churned white against its dark hull, and the Sídhe crest snapped in the wind, gold thread catching what little light penetrated the clouds. Fire licked throughmy veins as I noticed a second flag beneath the Sídhe crest—a roaring sun with crossed swords.

It can't be.

But I knew that symbol. The Soleil family crest.

The ship's anchor splashed into the water, chains rattling as smaller boats were lowered into the choppy waves.

"I'm going to see how many are on board." My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

I'd never tried using my focus while in shadow form, but the web responded instantly, braiding through my darkened mist. Silver orbs of consciousness lit up across the ship like stars. Four on the upper deck. Six below.

"Ten," I breathed.

"We have two options." Aether's voice cut through the rain. "We can wait for them to come ashore, to see what they're here for, or we can cast darkness and take out everyone on the ship."

"Cast darkness?" The words felt foreign on my tongue.

"Don't worry, I can handle it." There was something deadly in his tone.

Two figures appeared at the ship's bow, their forms blurred by the mist. They lifted what looked like brass spyglasses, methodically scanning the shoreline.

---