Page 74 of A Conduit of Light
Shetook his cold, bare fingers into hers, his love ofFelgrenapparent on them. “AllIam trying to say is thatRevichhas not yet had his first heartbreak.Heloves wild and new, no holding back.She, on the other hand, is more cautious, butIcan see her wanting to let go.Whoknows what she endured in that dreadful city to make her so untrusting.Youknow she told me once that she was only ever allowed to light the fires in the rooms of the castle and occasionally ripen fruit.Canyou imagine having all that power and nowhere for it to go?”
Heimlenplaced his fork down across his plate, his other hand moving over hers and he smiled at her, but she didn’t understand why it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Yes,Sylva, my darling, you’ve told me that story before.”
“Oh, well, maybe it serves as a good reminder for you.Ifyou want her to be able to open up more of her magic to you,Revichmight be a good way for her to be able to do so.Becauseif he can get her to understand her full potential…well, that means she is more useful to our cause, is she not?”
“Youwere always so cunning and beautiful,Sylva.MydearSylva.WhatwouldIhave been without you?”Hekissed the top of her hand, squeezing it gently.
Heloved her so well.Hecould only give so much, and she had understood that for many years now, watching him continue the legacy ofBaronand develop his own legacy to be left behind.
Shewas glad to have been a part of it.
Shehad dedicated her life to the continuation of his and that was everything to her.
“Canyou imagine?You’dhave been lost long ago without me,Heimlen.”
Hesmirked. “Areyou ready, dearest?”Hepulled his black leather gloves from his pocket, guiding them up over the hands that had just held hers.
Shesighed and stood, nodding.
Hedid love her.Heloved her as much as anyBaroncould love another.
“Yes.Iam ready.”
Hewhispered the words she had come to know well as she stood on the tips of her toes to reach his lips, “OsculumVitae.”
Hekissed her, soft, sweet, familiar.
Hemust have been tired this morning.Hetook more life from her than usual and more quickly as well.
Heheld onto her arms as she felt herself growing weak, her ability to stay upright harder now that he needed her more often.
Whentheir lips parted and he had taken what was necessary, she smiled up at him dizzily, his black eyes flecked with gray like the promise of a summer storm across the sky.
Helifted her onto his bed with his strong arms now fully anew with her strength.Heunfolded the blankets and then covered her body as she curled into the scent of him in the sheets.
“Restnow, my darlingSylva.Iwill come and wake you before your duties at lunch.”Hekissed her forehead and brushed her cheek.
Hereally did love her.
Heneeded her.
Heneeded her just as much as she needed him.
Chapter36
Rev
“Youlook well today,Baron!”Revichgreeted his mentor, giving him a hearty pat across his back as they walked to the lumen den.
“Yes,Islept well,Revich.Andhow fares the wild fae?”
“WhenIspoke toKarusthis morning, she assured me her healing was progressing.Ispoke toMoirayesterday, as you asked.”
“And?”
“Shewas not very forthcoming, as you predicted.Shedid have one thing to say, though.Moiraclaims that light—particularly sunlight—causes theBlightto…regress?Haveyou come across this before?”
