Page 56 of Poison Nights & Twilight Alchemy

“It’s cozy.” She opened the three small windows and picked up a jar of cinnamon sticks, using it to freshen up the room before gathering bark, dirt, and dry leaves from the long-neglected garden outside. Reed carried two large pails to collect water from the lake, the muscles of his arms drawing her eye as he hauled them back to the cottage.

Dulce sat across from him on an old wool rug in front of the unlit fireplace—she didn’t want chimney smoke to alert anyone of their presence.

“Sit still,” she instructed. Leaning forward, Dulce grasped one of the longest strands of Reed’s ivory hair and plucked it.

“You could’ve warned me, Highness,” he teased.

“I’ll remember that next time.” She smiled, then opened her mother’s book, flipping to the page she sought. As Dulce pored over the two spells to create her own, she yanked out one of her hairs and measured the two strands until they were the same length. She tied them together at the top, winding them around one another, then binding them at the opposite end. Grabbing a poisonous yew berry from her pouch, she placed it into her mouth, letting its bitter juice coat her tongue when she chewed. “You might not be able to perform magic tomorrow, but after this, you’ll at least be protected. If you’re struck with magic, this will save you from death. It won’t last more than a couple of days though.”

“Sounds enticing indeed.”

Dulce shifted closer to him, her pulse accelerating, and placed her palm atop his. “Kiss me?”

“You know I’m always more than happy to oblige.”Reed arched a brow and studied her as though she were mad. “But you did just eat a poisonous berry.”

She rolled her eyes. “It won’t kill you. Not with this spell in place.” She raised the two strands of hair laced together. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life, Highness.” He kept his gaze on hers, and Dulce wanted to drown in Reed’s brown irises as he drew her into his lap so her legs straddled him. “If I die, at least it will be a gratifying death.”

“I promise you won’t die.” Dulce entwined her fingers in his hair and tilted his head back as she pressed her lips to his. He smiled against her mouth, then parted his lips for her, and she flicked her tongue against his, allowing the poison to seep into him just enough before she pulled back. “See? You’re still alive.”

“Some poisons’ effects take longer, I’m sure,” he said gruffly.

“True.” She grinned. “It’s a good thing you trust me.”

Reed’s gaze grew hooded as he gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re beautiful.”

“If you only trust me because of my face, then we might need to teach you a few things.” She laughed.

“Mmm, teach me anything you wish.” He brought her face closer, his mouth so very near to brushing hers once more.

“When was the last time you courted someone?” she murmured, curious as to how many women had fancied him in Dogwood Glen.

“Courted?” He chuckled, his breath warm against her lips. “Never.”

“Never?” Her eyes widened. Reed was the most courageous, kindest man she’d ever met—it seemedimpossible no woman had fallen in love with him. It didn’t matter to her his station in life, what he’d had to suffer to survive, or how much coin he carried in his pockets.

“I was always too busy surviving.” He shrugged. “Why? Would you be happier if I’d married my own lumpish pignut?”

“I have forgotten such creatures exist. Banished from my memory.”

“Outstanding,” he drawled. “I shall banish them from mine as well.”

Before she could speak, he cut her off with the pleasantest of kisses. He pulled her closer, the kiss deepening, and as a savage heat spread through every fiber of her being, she couldn’t stop from thinking of the last time he’d touched her, the raw, blissful emotion he’d brought her. It didn’t take long before the heat turned into a blazing inferno, and she wanted more—she wanted to feel every inch of him against every inch of her.

Dulce’s fingers reached the buttons of his shirt, and she freed them one by one, running her palms up his firm chest before removing the garment.

Reed loosened the buttons of her dress, peeling the fabric down her upper arms to trail a spark of scorching kisses along her jaw and to her bare shoulder.

“I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone, Dulce Bancroft,” he said, his voice gruff. “Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I thought you were the most alluring girl I’d ever seen.”

“When you thought I wasdead?” she mused.

“Yes, even dead,” he admitted with a grin.

Dulce placed her palm on his warm chest. “It wasyour splendid, unselfish heart that I admired. From the very beginning.”

“Oh, I’m very much selfish.” Reed lifted Dulce in his arms and brought her down against the rug to settle between her thighs. “But not with you.”

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