Page 181 of The Spider Queen
Idon’tbelong to you!
What if I said we belonged to each other? Would that make it better?
I sighed, my anger assuaged. “It would.”
Thane flashed a grin.
Virbius cleared his throat. “We really should be on our way. There’s no time to lose.” He quickly darted through the brush.
Thane?
Yes, Poppy?
I used magic.
I know.
Will it be bad?
I don’t know. Probably. But we can’t worry about it now.
“Come along!” Virbius called.
Thane grabbed my hand, and we ran after the forest troll. Leaves and twigs brushed my arms and cheeks, leaving burning trails in their wake. A branch almost got me in the eye, but I blinked at the last moment, sparing myself a very painful injury.
We didn’t stop for hours, until finally, I had to beg for a break. I wasn’t immortal yet—according to Thane. So I had little stamina for the pace we were keeping. I perched on a large rock near a stream, panting, my brow stained with sweat, while my two male companions looked like they could run all day and night. Thane handed me the canteen of water, and I took a long draught. When I had my fill, he took it back, drank, and then filled it in the stream.
Virbius bent over the water and sifted his hand through the clear liquid and then brought it to his mouth. After he quenched his thirst, he headed to a bush ripe with pearlescent berries the size of grapes. He plucked a few, bounded over, and presented them to me on one knee.
I smiled and thanked him.
Thane growled.
Virbius scurried away from me and headed back to the bush, taking a few for himself.
Be nice.I placed a berry on my tongue and then crunched it. It burst apart in my mouth, coating my tongue in thick cinnamon honey.
“Oh,” I moaned in rapture.
Virbius beamed and pumped out his chest, shooting Thane a knowing glance.
He’s still trying to seduce you. From the look on your face as you tasted the fruit, I’d say he was succeeding.
Maybe I should play you off one another. Your turn. Give me something.
Instead of words through our connection, he sent me a vision, a fantasy. Us. Together. Black sheets mussed and wrinkled. Our bodies slick with sweat and each other.
I swallowed, choking on the berry.
It was Thane’s turn to look arrogant as his tongue trailed across his sensual mouth.
A quiver shot between my legs.
Too bad we have a companion. Otherwise—
I sent him back an even filthier fantasy.
Thane threw back his head and laughed.
