Page 63 of Resisting my Forbidden Fae

The compliment had Riva frowning. Then the realization hit like a freight truck and Riva’s mouth dropped open as she stumbled back, then surged forward to grab Daria’s arms and grin like crazy.

“You can see my face,” the woman exclaimed, stating the obvious.

“It’s a very pretty one.”

“Clear face? Not blurry?”

“It was at first. Then it cleared.”

“Since when?”

“Since now, I think.”

Belatedly, Daria did an internal tug and made a sound when the sparks returned, stronger than last night. Getting it, Riva’s eyes widened.

“Magic?”

“I don’t know.” She held up her fingers and watched as the tips glowed. “Invisibility cloaks have been my forte, but….”

She pressed them against the door. Nothing happened at first, so she tugged at more of the sparks inside her and steered them out until she felt her belly quaking. Then she and Riva ogled as the door slowly vibrated, too, before the parts her fingers touched sizzled as they caught fire. In the blink of an eye, the door had rough holes in it circled with black.

“Holy shit,” Riva said.

She agreed to the sentiment but couldn’t say a word, dizzy with giddiness. Perhaps the woman got that, too, as hands held her firmly in place and looked her in the eye.

“It’s…”Overwhelming. Crazy.

“I know. Deep breaths. Put a lid on it for now and focus.” Riva brightened. “Do you want to see the others’ faces?”

And that was how she found herself dragged across the sanctuary until they bumped into the people they were looking for, and she finally matched the faces to the bodies, voices, and attitudes. Sona was the least surprising, her high cheekbones, straight nose, and stunning dark eyes as elegant as the rest of her. Her reaction was that of someone torn between giving a warning and being slightly pleased, but there was no time to dissect it as Riva was relentless in her quest.

“You said I shouldn’t be overwhelmed,” Daria complained after she took a good, long look at Oscar and Malifeskos, the former generous with his praises and the latter cheerful but a bit confused over what the big deal was.

“Did I say that? I just said to relax with your magic and check out people first. You know, the ones who were with you through thick and thin.”

“We barely know each other.”

“I’m an open book.”

“Are you?”

“My kin lives in the forest, and I’m a pretty mean fighter. I…oh, hey.”

The change in tone had Daria perking up, then turning to look at the man she was certain was behind them. She expected handsome, but the sight of a face meant for paintings had her scrutinizing every inch of him further, from the sensual-looking lips to the deep-set blue eyes.

“Midnight,” she blurted out.

Diego blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“Your eyes. They are the color of midnight, as if they can’t decide if they want to be black or blue. I know because I know what midnight looks like.”

Comprehension dawned and had the man perusing her back. When she continued gaping, he flashed a dimpled smile, the action opening his features up before they returned to his unfazed, untouchable state. He nodded in acknowledgment.

“Congratulations,” was all he said before his gaze flicked towards Riva. Something flickered there, but he was gone before Daria could analyze it.

“The brute could use some charm,” Riva muttered. But her cheeks were pink and her eyes were unfocused.

“I don’t think you will survive if he turns that charm on you.”

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