Page 36 of I Am the Night

"I know, but this is important. One of these books might hold some useful information," I say. Though so far none have yielded much. My parchment only has a few notes on it and none particularly relevant.

His massage finishes, leaving me much more relaxed, and I stand and lean against the table to face him, half sitting on it as I do. "We have the unicorn dagger," I say. "That could kill her, couldn't it? If it came to it?"

He takes a step closer to me, and I'm reminded again of how delicious Elijah really is, with his silver blue eyes and perfect porcelain skin. He's tall and lean, with a chiseled body that would be the envy of any underwear model. When he takes a step closer to me, it becomes a little harder to breathe.

"Theoretically it could," he says. "But the challenge would be getting it into her heart without her killing you first. From all accounts, she is the most powerful being in the world. In any world actually."

He comes closer still, and lifts a finger to wipe at my lower lip. "You had a bit of chocolate there," he says softly, his eyes dropping to study me—all of me.

"I know I've told you this before," he says. "But I've never known a woman—or anyone—like you. And I'm not talking about your powers. I'm talking about your mind. And your heart." He pauses, as if considering his words. "I have lived in my head so long, it has distanced me from my emotions. I considered them a weakness to overcome, rather than a necessary part of my being."

He brushes a stray hair out of my face as he studies me. "But you. You have the mind of a genius. Unparalleled. Even by me, if I'm being honest. And yet it hasn't numbed you to your heart. You still care. You are still full of compassion. And… Eve, you made me feel. You made my heart beat again—metaphorically of course."

I chuckle at that. "Of course."

"What I'm trying to say is, I know I'm not the most expressive or romantic person, but I am drawn to you like I have never been to anyone before in my very long life. I hope you know I would do anything for you. Sacrifice anything for you."

And in that moment, I know that if the Air Druid doesn't kiss me soon, I will throw him to the table and make shit happen myself.

But he surprises me and makes the first move, leaning in to claim my lips.

The touch is just a breath between us, stirring my air magic as he deepens the kiss into something that blows through me and leaves me weak-kneed. He lifts me up to the table and spreads my legs to press himself between them as he runs his hands down my back, clutching my ass to pull me closer.

His breath hitches as my hand slides down between us.

Then it's my turn to lose my breath as I feel the length and girth of what's being offered.

He grins into my mouth. "I take it that's satisfactory?"

"It'll do," I joke, and he lifts me from the table, my legs straddling him, his muscles bulging as he carries me to the middle of his office where a bear skin rug is spread out before the fire. He lowers me to the rug carefully and once he does, he pulls off his shirt.

I admire the ripples of muscles and run my hands over his abs, then raise my own arms so he can help me undress.

"Gods you are beautiful," he says as my breasts are freed.

I lay back as he tugs off my pants and underwear, and I return the favor until we are both naked, the lights of the fire dancing over our skin.

He lies beside me and uses his mouth and hands to memorize every inch of my body. With air magic he teases and tickles my most sensitive spots, creating a delicious tension within me that builds and builds like a tornado at my center.

Then I take control, pressing his back to the rug as I straddle him, teasing his hardness before I move up his body to feel his tongue.

And feel it I do.

He takes me in his mouth with such passion and attention to detail that I have to pace myself to keep from losing it too soon.

Finally, I can no longer handle more, and my body is pushed over the edge, into sheer bliss.

Without hesitation, he readjusts my hips to his own, and as I slide onto him, I moan and melt into the pleasure he brings with his every thrust. His hands hold my hips, while his magic explores my breasts.

On impulse, I channel my own air magic and use it to push us off the ground, so that we are both hovering in flight as we make love. He joins his magic to mine and the intimacy and connection from this shared elemental power is intoxicating. I feel drunk on it, on him.

When I fall over the edge again, he joins me and together we soar.

We slowly fall back to the carpet and with deep satiation, fall asleep in each other's arms.

The Past

The changing heart turns evermore