Page 75 of Tangled Power
The large, open room carved out of the inside of a hill on the island was where she had made her home—and stayed connected to Mom after losing her. Her gaze roamed to the most prominent piece in the room: the forge. The fire was already burning hot. Arie had started it for them once he had collected himself. He didn’t need to stay close to keep the flame going.
“I’ve got nothing to hide from you, Rose,” Luc said, stepping toward her. “I’ve only ever been worried about your safety.” He stretched his fingers as if he were looking at the power in them. “You, and I guess my magic, have convinced me you’ll be safe.” He paused. “Is there anything you’re afraid to see?”
She gave that question the eye-roll it deserved.
“I see.” His laugh was low and soft, sending sparks through her entire body, though she hadn’t touched him yet.
“You aren’t worried about finishing this without being at Suden house?” he asked.
“Not with you.” They didn’t even have the Suden artifact to use, like she’d used the Vesten coin with Carter. She smiled softly. She knew she didn’t need it. “Making magical weapons is all about understanding a wielder’s magic. Most of the time, that can only be done when the magic is interacting with the source.” She shook her head slowly. “I’ve seen your magic at the source. But honestly, I’ve come to understand it more each day we’ve traveled together.” She paused before asking her next question. Her magic reached for his, even as she pondered it. “What did Arie mean when he said our connection had strengthened?”
Luc glanced away before returning to her, his gaze penetrating. “Do you feel it?” His voice was quiet, not its usual asserting tone. Whatever he was asking—it meant something to him.
“Feel a connection between us?” she asked. “Of course.” She moved closer to him, invading his space and cupping his cheek. The urge to touch him was so strong.
“What does it feel like?” he asked.
She didn’t hesitate. “You’re the first thing I sense when I walk into a room. Your magic behaves like an extension of myself at times, considering my needs before I even think of them.” She thought of the workshop and how it had held her as she worked. She thought of more playful events, catching them as they fell to the ground in each other’s arms because she was too impatient to take her lips from his. Her pulse spiked as the memory of that night flooded into her mind. Luc must have been thinking of it too. A tendril of his magic snaked around her.
“Sorry,” he whispered, stepping away from her touch, pulling his magic with him.
She shook her head and reached for him again. Pausing before her hand touched his skin, waiting for the nod he gave her.
“My magic has never been like this with anyone before. It’s not even this protective of Aaron and the children.”
Rose felt it wrap around her again as their hands reconnected, pulling their bodies flush together. “What does mine feel like to you?” she asked.
“It’s less insistent,” his lip twitched, and his power flared at his word choice. “But no less present.” His head tilted. “You must have restrained yourself quite a bit to keep from asking me daily if you could evaluate my magic. Because I felt your desire to do so constantly.”
“I’m sorry.” Rose flushed. She had wanted to evaluate his power, but she had respected his need to figure out his relationship with it before throwing herself back into the mix.
“Don’t be,” he replied. “Your magic’s reaction to my power was not something I’m used to. Fear, uncertainty, and caution are more the norm. It was good for me to see your undiluted desire for my magic.” He paused. “I don’t think you’ve ever feared it.”
“Not for a second.”
He reached for her then, his hand cupping the back of her neck, as he pressed his lips to hers. Softly, at first. A slow exploration of everything they were to each other.
He hadn’t exactly answered her question about their connection. Maybe he didn’t know. Whatever was between them was strong, the feeling soul-deep. It harkened back to romance stories and bound fae—while impossible for them, the idea of a perfect match, a bond between powers, was a dream she had kept tucked away. He adjusted his grip to coax a better angle for the kiss as his tongue swept in. Heat swirled through her as she nipped at his lip.
This—what she had with Luc—was better than any dream. He kissed her again, leaving no time to catch her breath as their magic swirled around them. Her hands wrapped aroundhis neck, running through his hair. His fingers skidded down her side, clasping her hip and pulling them tighter.
He broke the kiss, leaving her heart pounding and her body longing for more. His smile was soft, one he saved only for her. His words were not—they cut through the haze and the growing smell of pine and cinnamon as his magic spread through the room. “I love you, Rose.”
The words felt natural, as if he’d whispered them to her a hundred times before—maybe he had. He had with every time his magic lent her strength. Every time he handled the more mundane tasks of their trip to give her a chance with Juliette. Every time he held her as they drifted off to sleep under the stars.
“I love you too.” The words were right as they slipped from her lips. Her gaze held his. He looked inexplicably surprised at her response before his lips turned up into a smile that lit the room brighter than any forge fire. His voice was decadent, reminding her of their first meeting as he leaned forward again.
“I’m glad to hear it.” His easy confidence returned as his hand cupped the side of her face and brought his lips back to hers.
This kiss wasn’t searching—it was claiming. It was scorching as their tongues tangled, deepening their connection with every stroke. They’d done this before, but he explored her like this was uncharted territory. Perhaps it was.
Their magic spread through the workshop, echoing their movements, intertwining in something deeper than an evaluation. She sucked in a breath as she felt their power sink together, unaided.
She broke the kiss momentarily, her focus on magic reminding her why they were here. A weapon—she needed to finish his weapon. She could multitask. “I am going to do the final evaluation on your magic.” Her mouth brushed his again.She swore she heard him growl as her teeth tugged at his bottom lip. “But don’t stop this.” She gestured between them. “It’ll help.” She winked at him as she pressed another kiss to his lips.
He understood the assignment as his lips moved from hers to her neck, nipping and sucking every inch of skin he could find. She held in a moan as his lips found that spot behind her ear.
Her magic wrapped tightly around his body, pressing them further together, sinking under his skin. His power rushed to follow. This exploration was more a formality than a necessity. She already knew the answer—she understood his magic like her own. Experiencing it with Luc, though, she couldn’t pass that up. His power took the lead and pulled her through the familiar tunnel. Scenes flashed by her as she fell, familiar faces now, Aaron, Michael, his mom and stepfather—her. Fearlessly, she went further toward the heart of his power.
