Nox wished he’d never thought of the question. While Rayne’s heart broke in the forest, all he could do was hold her. Not one individual was responsible for her Weapon nacre and any other turmoil it inflicted upon her. Taken from a Gargantuan Tritan, who was murdered. Manipulated by Xelan and Celindria to develop the Weapon within. Given to her by well-meaning Tritans, looking to protect their world, which was given to them by Imminent. Locked by a virus transmitted to her by Silence—
There was not one individual for Nox to obliterate and avenge Rayne. And for the record, she’d already done the obliterating.
Tests.
Once they pulled Xelan in, Nox would ask him to run tests to see if Rayne was, in fact, sterilized. She would never ask out of embarrassment or her trademark martyrdom. It’s possible Nox was the sterile one, only… Celindria’s pregnancy negated that theory.
In an attempt at reassurance, he said, “After everything your physiology has endured, Xelan will need to perform a full examination. The virus, for instance? It could prevent pregnancy, and the Shadow have surely developed a cure for their virus by now. Dr. Suarez? He sounds capable. I doubt he’s let this much time pass without learning how to reverse the effects—What is it?”
Rayne was staring up at him. She’d stemmed the tears and wiped them away, leaving her soft gaze on Nox, free of their filter. The look in her eyes…
She’d said she couldn’t feel that way about him, but here and there, the warmth and softness in Rayne’s expression said differently.
It was terribly confusing.
“Thank you.” Rayne’s voice was hoarse from crying. She ducked her gaze and tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ears, saying, “I don’t know how I would’ve handled that revelation on my own.” She gave a harsh laugh. “I doubt I would’ve even considered Xelan and Pablo helping me.” The gratitude in her eyes when Rayne looked at him was too much for Nox.
To avoid it, he busied himself with picking twigs and leaves from her thick braids. “You would’ve found your way there in the end, your majesty.” Nox cupped Rayne’s chin and kissed her forehead before offering the crook of his arm. “Shall we?”
The rest of the walk was peaceful, filled with chatter about their training. How to improve certain tactics and appreciating each other’s maneuvers.
At one point, Rayne confessed, “Rib shots are so much less painful without the rites.”
Rites.
Nox chuffed and almost snorted. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a masochist. Who looks at those bladed tops and thinks, ‘I should shove them under my ribs and inside my calves’?”
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“Hmm… Who looks at a girl cutting them out of her and thinks, ‘I would so do her right now’?” Rayne shot him a ‘gotcha’ look.
Was that what Nox had wanted? He remembered realizing she was a Weapon, then. It was the moment he’d decided to write his Verse for Rayne, but if the former King of Cinder was being honest with himself…
Nox gave her a “touché” nod.
“Hah! I knew it!” Rayne beamed with victory. “I could hear your heart pounding from across the planet—”
She looked so surprised when he twisted her arm behind her back and slammed her back against the tree base. Nox laced his hand into Rayne’s free one and held it high, leaning into it so he was closer to her face.
Their heart raced, and her breasts heaved in that tiny sports bra. There was a glint in Rayne’s eyes—A defiance Nox wanted to nurture. It told her to fight, to take him down and show him who was the true King around here.
Nox welcomed Rayne to try as he leaned in, putting his face closer to hers.
Closer.
The sweet scent of honeysuckle nearly melted Nox’s resolve, but he left them a breath apart to say, “Get the door, your majesty.” He released the hand behind her and squeezed her hip with a growl.
Rayne’s lips parted, her eyes rolled back, and she looked up, baring her throat to Nox. The pulsing veins and arteries made for a tempting offer, but he would win this game.
Through gritted teeth, Nox insisted, “The door, Rayne.” He purred with her name to soften it.
When she met his eyes again, he swore there was lightning in hers. A turbulent storm fighting against Rayne’s restraint. She slammed her hand on the DNA scanner, conceding with an expectant sigh.
But Nox didn’t reward her with a kiss. He left her in the wake of his scent and went inside, adjusting to the dim light quickly. Knowing Rayne tasted as sweet as she smelled made this game harder to play, but the chase was worth it.
She stepped into the doorway, silhouetted against the forest light. All curves and powerful limbs. Her braids were messy, as if she’d pulled them.
The love of Nox’s life coolly glided past him and around the corner. The shower sounded, and he considered joining her. To comfort her more after the earlier revelation, but they’d need to leave this nest before too long.
Thirst. Hunger.
Nox’s appetite for Vittle had expanded since Rayne had resurrected him in this less disciplined body. He’d gone twenty-four hours without supplements, and the need gnawed in his veins.
Protein helped, but not enough.
Resigned to wait until they went shopping later, Nox made a liquid substitute of strained fruit juices while Rayne showered. He leaned back against the island and watched. Breakfast and a show. He’d never tire of seeing her wet. She went through the motions, choosing not to tease him. He drank the sweet nectar, preferring it be her.
Rayne finished and dried before he’d taken a second drink—
Abruptly, she padded around the curtain, gloriously naked. She trembled, a sensual mix of vulnerability and confidence, as Rayne stepped into his personal space. Nox refused to relent to her, even as she took his drink, tipped it to her lips bottoms-up, and let the juices spill out and river down her skin.
Like the girl at the festival in Xelan’s Verse. One of many instances Nox had chosen to forget but always wondered, ‘What if…’
But this girl he knew inside and out.
Nox lost the game, ducking to lick a river before it splashed into her bellybutton. He kissed the contours of her abs as he made his way up between her ribs and sucked at the apex there.
Shaking, Rayne stepped back with a sigh. “Do you kneel to me?”
Yes.
Always.
Nox licked the juice from his lips, watching the effect on her before lying, “I’ve got more play in me, yet, your majesty. Perhaps it is you who needs to give into me.”
With a beautiful grin, Rayne promised, “There’s no way I’m losing this.”