Page 77 of Of Shadow and Moon

I smirk, shifting my gaze to Rhyker, who is watching us with barely concealed irritation, his emerald eyes darken with something dangerously close to possessiveness. I’ve always known the fae prince had a territorial streak, but I don’t scare easy. And I sure as hell don’t back down.

“You look tense, Rhyker,” I tease, tilting my head.

Rhyker scoffs, his lips curling into something that isn’t quite a sneer but isn’t far from it either. “Oh, fuck off, vamp.”

Selestina groans, rubbing her temples as if our presence alone is enough to cause her a migraine. “Why are princes always in my fucking business? Putting me between theirown rivalries like a fucking prince sandwich?” She says it softly, like she is saying it to herself.

“Oh, princess, I’d be willing to be in any sandwich you want me in,” I murmur, letting my lips hover just close enough to the shell of her ear that I know she can feel my breath.

She inhales sharply, her fingers curling around the edge of her book. Then, something…changes.

I catch it in the air before I see it on her face.

A scent. Sweet, warm, unmistakable.

My body reacts before my mind can process it fully, my senses sharpening, my muscles tensing. I inhale deeper, my nostrils flaring, letting it wash over me like the most intoxicating drug. My gaze snaps to Rhyker, and the way his entire body goes rigid tells me he’s caught it too.

Our eyes meet for the briefest of moments, a silent understanding passing between us.

Selestina is aroused. She’s aroused by the thought of us.

I glance toward Matheus, still on the other side of the library, speaking with the librarian. His posture has changed, he’s stiff, but trying to appear casual. I scoff. Even from this distance, I can see the way his chest rises and falls with heavier breaths. His dragon could probably scent her from a hundred miles away.

Selestina shifts in her chair looking between the two of us, her nose scrunching in confusion. Then, I see the moment realization dawns.

She knows we can smell her.

Rhyker lazily waves his hand in the air, casting a glamour around us. I raise an eyebrow at him. Hmm. I don’t know everything about the fae, never cared to, but I know he is making sure nobody else can smell her or see her.

The world beyond us fades slightly, the edges of thelibrary distorting into something softer, more intimate. It’s like we are the only people here.

I grin wickedly. “Well, well, princess. This is interesting.”

Rhyker leans in slightly, his voice smooth as silk. “You like this, don’t you? Being between two princes?”

Selestina swallows, her fingers tightening around the book she’s pretending to read. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Oh, but I don’t think we are,” I murmur, my fingers grazing along the soft skin of her arm. “I think you like the attention. The way we look at you. The way we,” I inhale again slowly, “can smell what this is doing to you.”

A flush creeps up her neck, blooming like a stain of rose petals against her skin. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her blush before. And gods, if that isn’t the most delicious discovery I’ve made in a long time. I wonder what else I can do to her to make her blush like this.

She looks back to Matheus, who remains stiff in the distance, his nostrils flaring as he fights against the primal instincts clawing at him. Then her gaze shifts back to me, wide eyed.

I chuckle lowly, my smirk widening. “Oh, princess. You’re kinky and I like it.”

Selestina’s breath stutters, her lips parting as if she’s about to say something, likely a scathing retort, but Rhyker beats her to it. He waves his fingers again, the glamour shifting once more, enclosing us further in the illusion.

Selestina straightens, her eyes narrowing. “What…”

Rhyker stands with fae grace, moving closer, taking the seat right next to her and closing the space between them. “What are you reading?” he asks, amusement and desire dripping from every syllable. That’s when it hits me. Hisobsession for her matches mine, and I don’t know how that makes me feel.

My gaze drags over her, drinking in every telltale sign of her internal war, the way she licks her lips, the way her legs press together just slightly, the way her pulse jumps at the base of her throat.

She is so strong, so fierce, but it’s like she doesn’t believe why anyone would be into her. Why anyone would want her, and that leaves me puzzled.

She’severything. Temptation wrapped in a curvy body and eyes that show she’s been through more than I can ever imagine.

For a moment, I wonder if she’ll let this play out. If she’ll play along.

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