Page 16 of Burning Ice
Mirel’s head snapped up at the name. Kylix’s pulse tightened at the thrill of it. He filed the reaction away, kept it to himself.
“Go on down,” Kylix told him. “I’ll be right behind you.” He placed the food far enough that Mirel couldn’t touch it. “I’ll be back,” he promised, “and then we’ll continue our little conversation. I’m beginning to have some appetite myself as well.” He bent and pressed a kiss against the chain, then laughed as he turned and left.
Moargan lounged in the living room as if the place were his. Cyprian leaned pale at his side, black hair damp at his temples. Golden eyes burned faint through sickness. One hand pressed tight to his chest.
“Cyprian isn’t well,” Moargan said. His smile tilted, but his hand tightened on the younger man’s arm. He glanced at the Waltr as if testing the heat.
“So you bring your bonded to me?” Kylix raised a brow.
Moargan chuckled and tightened his grip. “Trust me, I’d rather not. But he insisted.”
“Why?”
“You left the arena early.”
“So? There was an incident that needed taking care of.”
“And have you?” Cyprian’s gaze lifted. Golden eyes burned faint even through sickness. His chest shivered with effort. A drop of sweat slid down his throat.
“Have I what?”
“Taken care of it?” Moargan said dryly.
Kylix brushed a hand through his hair. “I’m still working on it. You guys just had your ceremony. Shouldn’t you be bonding somewhere?”
Moargan whistled, pressing Cyprian close. “If that’s what you’re worried about, dear cousin, don’t. No, you see, my lover insisted we come here. Cyprian?”
Cyprian tugged at his shirt with trembling fingers. He lifted the hem, baring chest and ribs.
Luminous lines webbed his skin, the living map of every Dariux still bound to life. They appeared when one of them drew near, or when another touched Helion’s soil again.
The marks pulsed faint, then flared, the spiderweb brightening until it burned gold through his skin.
“Good Light.” Kylix’s eyes burned in awe.
“Another Dariux has been detected, and they are close,” Moargan said. He tightened his grip on Cyprian’s arm.
“Another one?” Kylix asked, sharper than he meant.
“Not close, Kylix. Here.” Cyprian’s voice was thin. “In this house.”
“In this house.”
“Have you seen anything?” Moargan asked.
Kylix slowly shook his head, torn between loyalty and selfishness. He didn’t enjoy seeing his cousin’s bonded visibly affected, but he wasn’t ready to give up his secret treasure either. Not until he was finished toying with him.
After all, Mirel had been arrested, meaning he’d fallen into his territory.
Moargan hesitated, but when Cyprian let out a low hiss, he stood and pulled his bonded from the couch. “He will let us know when he does find someone, won’t he?”
Kylix flicked the comment away. “Yeah, sure, sure.”
“But what if he doesn’t know they’re here or they’re lost?” Cyprian tried. The threads on his chest pulsed deeper.
“What? In my house?” Kylix grinned until his jaw ached.
“That’s not possible, and you know it.”
