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Three days passed, and I didn’t see Loretta, no matter at what time I visited the library or the infirmary. Like before, the story had left me restless. What I’d read hadn’t been the end of it by any means—even if the pages had appeared complete this time. There was more to it, and I knew Loretta would be able to tell me what Florea’s fate had been.
The duties of my new post kept me training with the Knights and Pawns, confined me to the library to research ledgers and genealogical trees, and sent me out to the streets where I pretended to search for Lovina’s next Trove.
Just yesterday, the White Queen had issued another threat, a vivid reminder of the pit. Daciana had looked terrified, which only helped increase my own fear. She left the palace early each morning and didn’t come back until well into the night. I knew she was searching every White Square like a hungry hound. I’d seen her on her horse, riding from one place to another, a desperate expression on her face.
“Time is running out, Rook Flagfall,” she told me one night as she came into our quarters, looking exhausted and defeated. “I hope that for both our sakes, one of us finds a Trove. Soon.”
The next day, I’d started watching Oakes Apothecary, the idea that Nyro had given me stuck like a splinter in my mind.
Mr. Oakes sells bloodshade to Troves, as you know, and some of them aren’t necessarily the best people in the city. I would rather you be safe than them.
If I could find such a person, would my actions be justified? I didn’t know, but I was scared enough to consider it. There was no way I could make an innocent a slave, but someone who prowled on Acedrex’s citizens...
Entering the stables, I approached Horse’s stall. She pulled away from me, snorting discontentedly. The mare had started doing that since my first tasting, though I was always able to calm her down.
Now, the lump of sugar I offered her eased her qualms. As she savored her treat, I caressed her muzzle and pressed my face to her neck.
“How do you like the name Florea?” I asked.
Her ears twitched, and she bobbed her head up and down. I’d gone long enough without bothering to name her and, for some reason, the name of the innocent girl in the story seemed appropriate.
After saddling her, I rode Florea toward Flagfall House, following a round-about way. I didn’t think anyone was following me, but I’d learned my lesson to be more cautious after what had happened with Rook Neculai.
Leaving my mare in the care of a stablehand at a nearby inn, I walked the rest of the way and slipped into the abandoned house through the back door.
Nyro was already there. As I entered, he rose from his seat at the kitchen table and gave me a relieved smile.
We stood in silence, peering into each other’s eyes. After a long moment, we started walking toward each other and stopped when barely inches remained between us.
My lips parted, and my tongue darted out to lick the corner of his mouth. It was all Nyro needed as an invitation.
His solid body crashed into mine. His arms wrapped around me, and his mouth captured mine in a kiss so wild that I felt as if I’d been stripped bare to my basic instincts.
Pushing me against the wall, he hooked his hands under my legs and lifted me off the floor. He pinned me to the spot as if I weighed nothing and, to my utter astonishment, trailed a path of hot kisses down my neck.
I gasped, taken aback by his daring move. Immediately, he pulled back, his eyes hooded, his breaths ragged.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
At once, I realized that I wasn’t sorry.
Placing a hand at the nape of his neck, I pulled him down. A growl rumbled in his throat, and his lips and tongue slid up my throat and up to my jawline.
A thrill ran through my body, delicious and forbidden.
In my previous life, this would have been disreputable, but it didn’t matter anymore. I wasn’t saving myself for anyone. I didn’t have to be pure for a husband I would never have.
“Nyro,” I gasped in a hot whisper as he thrust his hips forward, and I felt the magnitude of his desire.
He searched for my lips but, as a wave of shame rose from some deeply ingrained morality, I turned my face to the side.
Nyro set me down, burying his face in my hair. “I want you, Bianca.” He inhaled deeply. His body trembled against mine as if he were a vulnerable child and not a powerful man.
“I... want you, too, but...”
“I know. I know. Forgive me, please.” He pulled away, turning his back on me. “You are a lady, and I shouldn’t take such liberties. I should respect you.”
“A lady?” I almost laughed. Did he still see me that way? The reason for his guilt was endearing and warmed my heart, but was it really necessary?
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” he said. “I feel so cold and, yet, when I’m with you, fire runs in my veins. You make me feel fully alive, but that’s no excuse. I should—”
I grabbed his arm and forced him to face me. “It’s fine, Nyro.” I touched a hand to his cheek. He leaned into it and closed his eyes. “I feel just as you do.”
His eyes sprang open. He appeared surprised at my admission. I was taken aback too, but for some reason, I had a sense that I didn’t have much time left, that if I wanted to live, to feel, I had to do it now.
“I just need a little time,” I said. “Not much.”
Taking his hand, I led him upstairs to my room. Shyly, his eyes roved the room. I removed the top, dust-ridden cover from the bed and sat, patting the spot next to me.
“Sit with me,” I said. “Tell me about Talyssa and your brother.”
He sat, his fingers interlaced on his lap. I stared straight ahead, taking deep breaths. “Maybe this is not the best place to talk.”
“Oh?”
“I mean... it’s your bed.”
In response, I lay back, my legs dangling over the side.
He angled his body in my direction and watched me with hungry eyes. “You’re tempting fate, my lady,” he said.
“We don’t have to rush into anything, but...” I paused, “I’d like to get used to the idea. Maybe you can... ease me into it.”
A crooked smile shaped his lips. “With pleasure,” he said, leaning in to kiss me.
I stopped him by placing a hand on his chest. “But first, tell me about Talyssa and your brother.”
He sighed in disappointment, then lay next to me.
For the next hour, we spoke, his hand brushing mine as we lay. He told me about the state of things at the Black Palace. He answered all my questions and talked about escape, though the tone in his voice told me he didn’t have much hope for that.
Before leaving, we kissed and savored each other. My passion for him burned deeply, but, respecting my wishes, he took it slowly, letting me grow used to every new caress.
“Soon,” I told him before we parted.