Page 21 of Shattered Veil
How the hell did that happen? I run my hand through my hair and sigh, then turn around to retrace my steps.
And there she is.
Brigid. Walking towards her room. Hair a mess, eyes tired. Beautiful. She spots me. Smiles. That rare, genuine smile that lights up her whole face.
Fuck.
I can’t.We agreed on a plan and we have to see it through if we’re going to keep King Cillian in the dark about what we’re doing behind the scenes. Better my father thinks I’m a no-good lazy idiot who's fucking half the academy, than that I’m—that I’m what?—in love with Brigid? Willing to do anything to keep her safe? It’s all of that and it’s also so much more.
The Council is watching Brigid’s every move. There’s no way we can help her if we’re under the same magnifying glass.
So I keep walking. Eyes forward. Like I don’t see her.
Her voice, soft and uncertain.“Callen?”
Keep walking. Don’t look back.
“Callen, wait—”
My fucking heart feels like it’s being sliced down the middle. But I round the corner without breaking stride.
Behind me, silence.
I fucked up. I know it. But, better she hates me. Makes it easier to pull off this fucking sham of not wanting her, easier to throw off the Council and King fucking Cillian.
Brigid’s face flashes in my mind. The hurt in her eyes.
I need to get out of here before I do something stupid. Like go back and pin her against the wall, tasting those soft lips I’ve been dreaming about. Run my hands through her messy hair, feeling its silky strands between my fingers. Trace the curves of her body, memorizing every dip and swell. Breathe in her scent that drives me wild.
I imagine throwing her onto the bed. Slowly peeling off her clothes to reveal her smooth, pale skin. Exploring every inch of her with my mouth, savoring her gasps and moans as my touch sets her on fire. Feeling her nails dig into my back as I thrust into her, losing myself in her tight heat. Making her come apart beneath me again and again until she begs for mercy.
Fuck.Just the thought of that girl makes me crazy.
Chapter Ten
Tiernan
I push through the dense foliage; the mist curling around my ankles as I make my way deeper into the unearthly woods bordering the academy grounds. My thoughts are in turmoil, torn between what I want to do and what I need to do. The agreement to distance myself from Brigid weighs heavily, and I feel a pull towards her that I can’t resist. It killed me to see her so disappointed when we told her we wouldn’t work with Marius to try to open the rift again.
My sacred grove beckons, promising quiet and a place to calm my mind, but my thoughts keep wandering to forbidden places. To soft curves and stormy gray eyes. To promises and primal need.
A flash of movement catches my eye, and I stop breathing as Brigid steps into my path, her chest heaving slightly.
“Tiernan,” she says, her voice low and breathy.“I’ve been looking for you.”
My cock twitches at the sight of her flushed cheeks, the way her tongue darts out to wet her lips. I struggle to maintain control.
“Brigid. I’m a bit busy right now.” My voice comes out rougher than intended, the lie doesn’t come easily.
She takes a step closer, boldness flashing in her eyes.“I had to find you. It’s about Rory, about opening the rift—”
I cut her off, closing the distance between us. I know exactly why she’s here and what she’s about to ask.“I want him back as much as you do, Brigid. But we’re not working with Marius.”
Brigid’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t back down. Her chin tilts up defiantly as she meets my gaze.“Please, just hear me out.”
I try to focus as Brigid explains, her closeness overwhelming. The scent of her skin, a mix of lavender and something distinctly hers, clouds my senses.
“Eira found an ancient text,” Brigid says, her eyes alight with hope.“Now, everything said that the shadow realm can only be accessed with pure magic. The magic of the gods. But the book Eira found—it describes a purification ritual that could open a path to the shadow realmwithoutdivine intervention.”
