Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Siobhan sighs. “We don’t know that.” It’s part of what we’ve fought about so fiercely in recent months. I can see the path forward, and Siobhan refuses to. “It would be a huge risk to expand their power to other realms.”
“Not if they start with ones where magic is less common. The people there will have no way to defend themselves.”
“Damn it.” Nox curses. “I hate that it doesn’t sound far outside the realm of possibility.”
“Because it’s not.” I hold their gaze. “We’ve been saving people from the beginning, but now it’s time to save, well, everything.”
Nox’s smile loses some of its edge, becoming almost fond. “You’re making me feel all heroic.”
“You are heroic.” Siobhan’s gaze flicks to me. “You both are the most heroic people I know. It makes me ashamed that I’ve hidden in the shadows for so long.”
Nox tilts their head back and stares at the ceiling. “When you say things like that, it’s hard to fight against the pull of you—of both of you.”
“Then don’t fight it.” I don’t mean to say it. I’m trying to respect the distance Nox has put between us, respect the fact that they continue to evade any entanglement despite the unresolved feelings both Siobhan and I obviously hold. I’ve already caused them more than enough harm because of our past, and I won’t let my selfishness add to that.
“As if it’s that easy.” Nox inhales sharply. “I’m not proud of the fact that you broke my heart and it still hurts fourteen years later.”
“I’m sorry.” I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again and again, backing it up with actions. “I should have listened to you. You were right.”
They smile a little. “That’s the thing. I can’t hate you anymore, Bastian. Not when it’s clear that you have changed.” They transfer their attention to Siobhan. “As for you, I…I’m afraid. You’re the leader of the fucking rebellion, Siobhan. You’re in danger more than anyone else I know, and the thought of giving my heart to you, only to lose you, scares the shit out of me.”
“I understand, but we all very well may die.”
I can’t stop the laugh that bursts from me. “Very rousing, Siobhan.”
Nox inhales slowly and exhales just as slowly. “No, she’s right. We’re sailing toward nearly certain death. What’s the point in fearing a broken heart when we might not survive to experience it?”
The energy in the room shifts, somehow both losing and gaining teeth at the same time. Nox tilts their head down and takes in Siobhan where she holds perfectly still in the center of the room, the cloak still clutched to her chest and concealing very little of her strong body. The long lines of her legs are bare, and Nox takes their time dragging their gaze north to Siobhan’s eyes. “Drop the cloak,” they finally say. The three words have none of their normal playful tone.
It’s a command, plain and simple.
Siobhan doesn’t hesitate. She unclenches her fist and the fabric falls to the floor, leaving her gloriously naked. No matter how many times I’ve seen her this way before, the sight still steals my breath. She wears cloaks so often, slouching carefully to never reveal the breadth of her shoulders, the true stretch of her height. There’s none of that facade now. Just Siobhan, body carved with muscle, small breasts peaked with dark berry nipples, golden skin still faintly damp from her swim.
I’ve wanted Siobhan from the moment I met her. She exhibits a magnetic draw that I never tried to resist. That draw isn’t directed at me right now, though. It’s all for Nox.
I’m…not invited.
Sorrow hits me in a wave that I swallow down in large gulps. I’m not entitled to the intimacy, for all that I love her and she loves me, for all that I never really stopped loving Nox. The act of loving is meant to be selfless, independent of circumstance. To do anything else, to demand something in return, is to poison the very emotion.
I take a staggering step back, and then another. Neither Nox nor Siobhan looks at me, their eyes only for each other. Even as it feels like my heart is being carved out with a rusted knife, there’s a part of me that’s glad they found each other properly. Nox deserves to be loved with all the ferocity Siobhan is capable of.
My hand closes around the doorknob. One more step and I’ll be gone from this place. I don’t know what I’ll do. They don’t need me. My glamour is useful, but Threshold has operated under the assumption that glamour has been extinct for generations. Me being here doesn’t change that. Not really. Maybe the Audacity can drop me somewhere and I’ll head in the opposite direction, determined to lead Morrigan away from their path. It will mean my death—I can’t be taken alive again—but one life is a small price to pay if it means Threshold is finally free of the iron boot on our necks.