Page 19 of The Discovered
“That we’reallowed?” That was a strange wording. “Did all witches feel my beacon, as you call it? Are our enemies looking for me right now?”
“Drop it, Áine,” Daelon snapped. “I wish I could tell you everything, but I can’t. Yes, they’re looking for you, but I have it handled.”
The edge to his voice caught me off guard. I swallowed, sensing the rise of emotion that generally predicated a magickal outburst. I wasn’t strong enough to fight it right now.
“I’m sorry,” Daelon said, halting the buildup. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. You’re not who I’m angry with.”
I sighed. “I know I agreed to focus on the training first. It’s just frustrating to be so in the dark. Especially when I feel and see what I do in those waters. Something horrible has happened in this realm, and I’m supposed make it right.”
“Yes. You are. This realm has been waiting for your return—I can feel it too. I know it’s hard. I wish things were different,” he said, holding my gaze. There seemed to be multilayered meanings embedded in those words. He looked suddenly uncomfortable and raw. “I cannot protect you forever. Not against some things. I wish terribly that I could.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he stopped me.
“I need you to know that when our little bubble here bursts, and the chips begin to fall, I will always be on your side. Always.” His voice was softer and pleading. It was like he was telling me a deep, dark secret while searching my eyes for understanding. “Like I said, we share a common enemy. I want to help you fulfill your purpose, whatever it is, after I do what I can to teach you everything you’ve been shielded from down in the human realm. I need you to know that I’m only doing what’s best for you.”
What was he trying to tell me? All his secrecy, his moodiness, and his offhand comments were like a pile of scattered clues, and I didn’t have enough pieces to put the puzzle together. I didn’t know how much longer I could wait for the answers.
But that look in Daelon’s eyes was so sincere, so desperate. It softened me to my core.
“I believe you.” And I did, despite the part of my brain that wanted me to run far, far away and figure it all out for myself. I only grew fonder of Daelon as the days passed, even though I knew that trusting him was still a gamble. It was a risk I was willing to take. Like he said my first day here, all I had were his words and actions, and everything he showed me pointed to his reliability as my protector and guide.
He sighed a breath of relief. “Now, eat.”
When I awoke in the middle of the night to get a glass of water, I heard Daelon’s voice coming from down the hallway in his room. Why was he awake? Or did he talk in his sleep? I had never heard him when he stayed with me after my nightmares, but I wasn’t a light sleeper.
I crept forward; the dark floorboards creaked beneath my weight. He spoke in a hushed tone, too quiet for me to comprehend. I took a step closer, almost to his door, when a sudden clatter followed by a thud erupted. It sent chills down my spine.
“Daelon?” As soon as his name left my lips, the door flew open to reveal a shirtless, sweaty Daelon on the other side.
My eyes widened as I took in the sight of his muscles shining with sweat, the veins in his arms bulging. He gave me a once over, lifting a brow. I realized in embarrassment that I wasn’t wearing any pants, since I expected him to be asleep at this hour. I was clad in a pale pink satin cami that mostly concealed my panties. As his eyes traveled back up to mine, he smiled mischievously, leaning on the doorframe.
“I was getting water, and I heard a voice, and then a, uh, loud noise,” I spluttered in clumsy explanation, tugging at the bottom of my top for more coverage.
“Just working out. Dropped something.” Daelon said, his eyes stony.
“In the middle of the night?”And while talking to yourself?
“It’s not the middle of the night. It’s the early morning,” Daelon muttered. “Go back to sleep, and I’ll see you in a couple hours.”
Before I could react or say anything more, he shut the door in my face. Incredulous, I backed away.What just happened?I wasn’t awake enough to decipher any of it, so I grabbed a glass of water and went back to bed.
Chapter5
Tossing and turning, my mind ran in circles. In my disorientation, between waking and dreaming states of consciousness, I saw Daelon at the foot of my bed. His head was tilted to the side, staring down at me as if he was fully entitled to the act. My heart thudded, and I couldn’t decide if the look in his eyes was unnerving or devastatingly exciting. I wanted to speak, but my voice was caught in my throat. He walked to the side of my bed and reached down, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand.
I stared up into his dark eyes, mine narrowed at first then widening as he climbed over top of me.What was he doing?And why didn’t I stop him?
He straddled me, hovering just above my body. His chest was bare, and I wanted desperately to run my hands along his skin. The urge felt just as strong and irresistible as the pull of my power, begging for me to let go, give in, and submit to my most innate instincts.
“Then do it,” he said, his voice low and husky.
Still unable to speak, I wordlessly lifted a hand to his skin and trailed my fingers down from his chest to his torso. His eyes were fiery, like they got when I didn’t do as I was told.
“I told you I could force you silent,” he said, his lips close to my ear.
His breath on my skin sent a shiver down my spine. Resting on his right arm, his left hand stroked the side of my neck and gently turned my head to the side with his fingers. In a sudden movement his lips were at my throat, his teeth lightly tugging on my skin.
I drew in a sharp breath as he trailed kisses along my collarbone, his left hand moving down the side of my body grabbing at my waist.
