Page 72 of A Conduit of Light
Karusbegan to walk with him toward the winding staircase, her questions coming in quick succession out of earshot of the faerie. “Whatdo you think?Isshe telling the truth?Doessunlight repel theBlight?”
He’dbeen wondering the same. “Idon’t think faeries lie very well.Theycan distort the truth, ifI’mnot mistaken, but maybe that’s something to speak toFiguerahabout or search for inViridis.Idon’t know why she would lie, considering her kind also wants to see theBlightgone.”
Karusleaned against the banister, the foyer many levels below them. “Wereally do know very little about it, don’t we?Thisall seems so…daunting.Howare we ever going to destroy it?”Sheshook her head and bit her bottom lip. “Maybeit’s time to practiceCosensianMagicnear theBlight.Maybewe can start to try using it?Surelythere’s magicBaronHeimlenis thinking of trying.Whyelse would we practice so often?”
“Maybe.HeandIcan go first.”
“I’mnot a child,Revich.Iwon’t make the same mistake again.EvenBaronHeimlenhas said—you need me, too.”
“Yeah.Yeah,Ido.”
Hiswords hung in the air, the truth of them flitting across her face.
Hestared at her, wanting her, needing to be close to her.Heneeded to know she was safe, she was his—as much his as she would give.
He’dtake it.
He’dtake whatever she gave him.
“Rev.”
Andthere it was again.Hervoice unfolding smooth and soft.
Ina moment she was in his arms, his hands sliding into her hair, their lips pressed together as he inhaled fully.
Hecould live in this moment.
Shewas safe.
Shewas here.
“Karus,” he whispered.Shebroke from his mouth to kiss his jaw, his neck, sliding her hands under his shirt, pulling him nearer. “Ineed you.”
“Thenby all means—take me.”
Thatwas all he ever wanted to hear.
Hepulled her up onto his hips, his mouth back on hers, hard, determined.Ifhe never broke from her kiss, he’d be fine with that.
Heled them to a small, dark alcove just off the stairs.Hepushed her back against the stone, reaching up under her skirts, pushing aside the undergarments in his way.
Heslid one hand down the very center of her, smiling at the slickness which met his fingers.Heslid two inside of her, curling them toward him and she inhaled sharply, arching her head back, just as he wanted her to.
She’dbecome wild.Heloved doing that to her.
Herpassion was never to be dismissed in these moments.Shepulled on his shoulders, his neck, anywhere she could grip, her desire for him pouring off of her in rollicking waves, her pleasure an ocean he’d happily drown within.
Heran circles over her most sensitive center with his thumb, kissing her hard—harder than he usually would.
Shemet his passion with her own, just as raw and forceful.
Usuallyby now, she’d be begging him for what she wanted.Heloved that.Butshe resisted.Whetherit was due to her strong will or just because she knew what he needed, he didn’t have time to wonder, as her hand found her way to the thick of him.
Shegripped him softly at first, her hands delicate and gentle.
Theirdesire consumed their very souls, burning, scorching—two young lovers unbroken and unmarred by the desolation of love.
Sheheld him firm, her strokes quick, the pressure in him mounting, and he broke from her lips, his head leaning back, breath coming in long audible exhales, his chest sinking inward.
