Page 50 of A Crown of Madness
“Could you have imagined that?”
* * *
Violence
I’d never be able to imagine that. The two of us laying down our weapons and knocking down the wall we’ve built to give in to the bitter, demanding tension.
My orgasm tingles through every nerve in my body, and I tremble against him. Bliss and ecstasy race through me, leaving my fingers shaking as they curl against his chest. Other emotions rise up like an angry dark tide in the back of my mind too. Fear, frustration, anger, and even shame.
His muscles are tight beneath my touch, my nails sinking into the smooth skin of his shoulders. I can’t look at him. If I look up at his gorgeous face, I’ll kiss him.
Or worse.
The crook of his neck is smooth against my lips, and I keep my face buried there for several long moments, so long that he finally loses his tormenting confidence. It seems to slip away as he pushes his hands slowly down my back.
He simply holds me.
Without any questions, he holds me.
And I lean into his comfort. His embrace is warm, strong, and steady. He feels like he’s the only person in the entire world right now, and I never want to let him go.
I’m terrified to let him go. I’m terrified to hold on.
“I’m here, Vi. I’m right here.” Hot breath fans across my neck, and still I keep my eyes closed. I’m afraid to open them. I’m afraid if I open my eyes, the feeling he just gave me will slip away, allowing the dread and anxiety to tumble right back in.
“Where are you really?” My question is quiet and comes out on a shaking breath.
He’s really here. Or... a part of him is, anyway.
His big palm strokes down my hair as his body melds closer to mine.
“Right now, I’m sitting on the outskirts of town. Carver and I have been staying in the meadow you like so much.” A pause settles between his thoughts. “It reminds me of you. It’s quiet and beautiful there.”
His words cause a sweet feeling to wrap around me, and his honesty draws my attention to his face.
“How are you here?”
His full lips hold my attention as my fingers skim up the angle of his jaw. He feels soreal. He doesn’t really look it though. That odd glow of his skin makes him appear like a soul itself. The reminder of the powerful sensation of a soul passing rears its ugly head with terrible craving.
“I’m not entirely sure. We made a trip to the Reveries, and I’ve been smoking offerings nonstop just to be here with you.” The corner of his lip tilts.
I can’t believe he went to the Reveries. The two of them must have been desperate to visit those Witches. I’m surprised they helped him at all.
“Why hasn’t Carver come too?”
At my mention of Carver, his attention falls, and his hands slip away from me until there’s a fraction of space between him and me.
“He wanted to be. He tried to be. When he tried the offering with me, nothing happened. He can’t do this for some reason, whateverthisis.”
For a second, I try to imagine what it would have been like had it been Carver here instead of Nollix. If Carver were here, I’d continue thinking he was a hallucination for weeks. He isn’t as open as Nollix. He never would have offered to fuck me to prove he was real. But I do think he would have eventually gotten through to me in a sweeter, gentler way.
“So wherever I’ve been, Carver can’t come here.” My brows lower as I try to make sense of it all. “But you can.”
“Maybe he’s not strong enough.” The logical way he says it makes me cock a brow at him.
Goddess, his ego is massive.
“Or maybe he’s not as good at smoking offerings.” My eyes narrow on his. “It could be anything, really.”
