Page 367 of Bitten By the Fae
Likely, yes. He’ll use it to increase the urgency of hunting us.
They would hunt us either way,I pointed out.
True,he agreed.But now my people will hunt us, too. I saved a Nacht. They won’t take kindly to that.
He’s not Constantine.
I understand that now,Zakkai admitted softly.But my father… I don’t think he’ll ever understand.
What about Zenaida?I wondered.
Zakkai fell silent, considering.I think we’ll need to ask Shade about that. But wait until nightfall. You all need your rest.
You need to rest, too.
I will. Just later,he promised, his voice a kiss against my mind.Go to sleep, Aflora.
Okay,I agreed, snuggling deeper into Kols’s chest. I also had my leg draped over his. Shade spooned me from behind, while Zeph rested on the other side of Kols with his arm stretched out and his palm on my thigh.
It was a bit of a pretzel, but it warmed my heart.
Sweet dreams, darling star,Zakkai whispered.
I hummed an incoherent agreement, then my brow furrowed.Why do you call me that?I wondered.Star, I mean.The nickname always made me smile, but I never understood why he used the endearment.
Don’t you remember loving the stars as a child?he asked.You used to always want to go out at night, lie on the ground, and admire the sky.
I smiled.I do remember that.
Well, that’s why you’re my star.
My heart warmed.I like that.
I know,he replied.Now go to sleep. Dream of me.
I thought you said dreams don’t count.
Not for our first time, but I didn’t say we couldn’t play in the dreams.I could hear the smile in his voice, his teasing palpable.I rather enjoy being your figment.
My lips curled.All right. Tanoomeen Ma Ana.
His chuckle followed me all the way into my dreams.
Only, what waited for me when I opened my eyes wasn’t a fantasy at all, but a nightmare.
One covered in blood.
Myblood, and that of my mates.
“Hello, Aflora,” Constantine greeted, his smile cruel. “I think it’s time you and I had a little chat.”
Prologue
Doyou know what it’s like to leave a dream and tumble face-first into a nightmare? Because I do. One moment, everything is warm and happy, and the next, it’s stark, frigid, and daunting.
Just like Constantine Nacht’s golden irises. They remind me of icy, hard metal. Whirling with power. Sucking me deeper into his web. And grounding me in a reality that isn’t mine.
He smiles. Callous. Cruel. Cold.
