Page 57 of A Bolt of Magic

I reach out an arm, grabbing her in the nick of time but letting her go just as quickly.

“We shouldn’t have. I’m so sorry, McColl. I shouldn’t have done that,” I say, my voice rough and unsteady. “I…um… I have to go.”

The hurt that flashes across her face is like a physical blow, but she quickly schools her emotions.

“We shouldn’t have. You’re right. Let’s forget it ever happened.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, too.”

“We’re better as friends.”

“I know.”

Then I turn and wade from the water. I grab my tunic from the grass and pull it on with jerky movements, not caring that I am still soaking wet. I can feel McColl’s eyes on me as I stride back toward the cabin, but I don’t turn around.

I feel terrible. Firstly, because kissing her had felt so right, so perfect, like coming home after a long journey. And secondly, because it should never have happened in the first place. She hid it well in the end, but I hurt her, and I hate that.

It can’t happen again.

No matter how much I want it to.

17

McColl

The cool water laps at my waist as I watch Kian leave.

His whole stance is rigid as he pulls his tunic over his head, leaving without so much as a backward glance.

My skin feels overly tight, and I can’t seem to get my heart rate or my breathing under control. It feels like I’ve been running from a pack of hywolves all morning.

I touch my fingers to my lips. They’re still tingling from that kiss, still burning with the memory of his mouth on mine.

I can’t believe that just happened.

I’m such an idiot.

What was I thinking? Throwing myself at him like some lovesick girl? The humiliation burns hotter than any flame magic could produce. He was right to push me away. If he hadn’t…

Kakara preserve me; if he hadn’t stopped us, I would have let him… I groan in embarrassment, closing my eyes. And right here in the middle of this lake, for all to see, consequences be damned.

I’m such a colossal idiot.

The water feels cold now against my overheated skin, and I wrap my arms around myself, shivering but not ready to leave. Kian’s rejection plays over and over in my mind – the way he tore himself away like I’d burned him.

Of course we can’t be together in any way. It wouldn’t work. A witch and a fae king? It’s laughable. We’re natural enemies, and even if we weren’t, I’m nobody. A failed witch with unreliable magic who barely survived three years as a magical slave. What could I possibly offer someone like him?

Nothing.

I have to go back to my coven, where I belong, and he needs to save the realm and take down Snow.

I stand there stupidly for far too long, too mortified to face going back to the cabin.

To face him.

To face them.

I only pray that nobody else saw us.

Finally, the chill drives me toward the shore. My legs feel unsteady as I wade through the shallows, whether from cold or lingering embarrassment, I can’t tell.

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