As I lay in Lennon’s bed, the darkness around us was thick and comforting, wrapping us in a cocoon of quiet. I could barely make out his form on the floor nearby, his presence a reassuring anchor in the night. The scent of him lingered in the sheets—a heady mix of cedar and something uniquely him—that seemed to fill the room with a warm, intoxicating aroma. My heart ached with a yearning I couldn’t quite name, wishing I had the courage to ask him to join me. The thought of falling asleep next to a warm body, sharing that closeness and comfort, was a tempting solace against the chill of the night.
“Lennon?” I whispered
“Yes, Ace?”
“I wish it didn’t deplete your power to send me that calming energy. I’d love to have it siphoned into me at all times.”
He laughed quietly, “If I ever get out of The Dread and get my full power back, that wouldn’t even put a dent in it. You could be dazed all day in that calming energy and it wouldn’t even...”
He interrupted himself with a low, rumbling growl that reverberated through the darkness, a sound so deep it seemed to resonate within me. The vibrations traveled from the base of my spine up through my core, sending an unexpected shiver of sensation through me. It was as though his very presence was reaching out, stirring something primal and intense within, making the air around us crackle with a charged energy. Then a towel was chucked in the air from below, and landed directly on top of me.
“Keep this off of the floor.” He growled in a sultry, controlled voice.
I bunched up the towel and snuggled it close, “Sorry...”
His house was tidy, maybe he didn’t like things out of place. Then he searched for his words, tinged with an underlying edge of hesitation, as if he was bracing himself for the impact of his own words. His tone was careful, each “um... so.... well...” laced with a worry that hinted at the weight of what he was about to say. The vulnerability in his voice made my heart race as he searched for the right way to express his thoughts.
“Sidhe have a very sensitive sense of smell Ace. We can smell when you... When your body is.... responsive, if you know what I mean.”
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Heat surged to my cheeks as my face flushed, the embarrassment searing through me. “Got it, sorry.”
I wanted to crawl under a rock and disappear forever. He’d known every time I had those filthy thoughts. He’d known. And the towel! I was wearing that towel when I fell asleep after the bath.
He snickered, “You don’t have to be sorry. I mean, look at me.”
His comment dripped with arrogance, yet it carried a sharp, witty edge that cut through my embarrassment like a well-aimed dagger. Despite myself, I couldn’t help but chuckle, the humor in his words pulling me from the flush of my mortification and easing the tension in the air. I needed to change the subject, I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep if that was the last topic of conversation.
“There has to be a way I can help you get out of here faster. I can’t just leave to Anahate and do nothing while you struggle here. I want to help you like you’ve helped me.”
“I’d welcome the help if there was something you could do Ace. But I’ve thought about this for years. I’ve got nothing.”
“Anahate are genuine and kind right? Maybe we can get some of them to come to The Dread to help. They can have honest and kind conversations with you to work away your runes.”
“It’s a good idea Ace, but I’ve already tried. I have connections in all the territories. I was heir to Mula’s throne, Queen Ganya is my mother. If anyone in The Dread were able to get outside help, it would be me. Everyone is afraid of coming to The Dread. It’s a big sacrifice to ask someone to make.”
The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning—Lennon was the heir to a throne. Suddenly, his effortless ability to switch to a commanding royal demeanor made perfect sense. The grace and authority he carried, the way he navigated Veronika’s antics with a poised detachment, all fell into place. The respect she gave him, the inferiority displayed all over her face. It was as if a missing piece of the puzzle had clicked into place, revealing the full extent of his presence and power.
“Okay, Prince Lennon” I teased.
He snorted, choking back laughter “Please.”
“Maybe I could live in Anahate majority of the time, and come back to Visu every month. To see you.”
Even though I couldn’t see him, I could sense the subtle curve of his lips in his voice, a warmth and playfulness woven into his words. “I’d like that. I’ll write my friend Thadeus and he’ll get you set up in Anahate.”
As he spoke I felt the familiar, soothing warmth of his magic envelop me once more, a gentle wave of energy that flowed directly into my weary muscles. The effect was immediate; a deep, contented yawn escaped me as the tension melted away, my body succumbing to the peaceful embrace of his magic. Each breath grew slower, my eyelids growing heavy as the tranquil spell lulled me closer to the edge of sleep, like a soft, guiding hand leading me into a restful slumber.
“Goodnight Ace” he whispered.