Ivy
Killian was still asleep. He was laying on his stomach, and his messy black hair obscured his face.
It was the first time that she’d woken up beside someone in the year she’d spent in Noctis.
She almost squealed in delight. She allowed herself to bask in the feeling, and she became so immersed in it that she didn’t feel Killian stir beside her.
“What are you grinning about?” His voice was a low rumble at her side, and his arm shifted to pull her against him.
He nuzzled her neck, and she practically purred, “Just at how… good this feels.”
His hands drifted upward from her hips, and it sent chills running through her body. But before she could lose herself in the sensations, her mind intruded on the moment. She placed her hands over Killian’s to still them, and she leaned in to drop a kiss on his lips.
“And I want to hear all about them, but first, I think I should check if Finare’s here.” The mention of her Broodmate seemed to drag Killian out of the spell, and he didn’t resist her when she slid off him to leave the bed. She felt Killian’s eyes on her as she scooped her underwear up and dressed.
“I hope Diarom has some good clothing stores. Because your clothes are way too big for me.”
“I like you in my clothes.”
Ivy couldn’t help but stare as his naked body made its way towards her.
He was a pleasure to look at, and the smirk on his face told her he was extremely aware of the fact.
He left the room but reappeared before she could follow.
He handed her another of his shirts and a pair of shorts.
She dressed hastily and found both garments generously oversized.
“See? Way too big.” She raised her arms as if to demonstrate, and the shirt hung comically from her limbs.
“You’re right. Should we take them back off?” Killian gave her a look of playful challenge that liquified her insides.
The heady feeling of lust threatened to overwhelm her again, and she was shocked at how much of an effect this male had on her.
Killian pulled on a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants that hung low on his hips, and she resisted the urge to lick her lips at the sight.
Although Killian’s eyes were swirling with black clouds once again, he seemed to have better control of his desires.
With a smirk, he left the room and started making his way downstairs.
Ivy watched him go and took a deep breath to compose herself before following.
Ivy found Finare seated on the couch, with Ozias perched nearby, and she headed over to join them.
As she sat down, Ozias jumped across the couch and landed on her shoulder.
Killian moved to the empty space in the middle of the apartment.
He dropped to the ground and started doing a series of exercises, beginning with push-ups.
Her eyes drifted over to watch the show.
Finare sniffed the air, and Ivy could feel his gaze upon her.
“What happened between you two last night?” Finare asked by way of greeting as he peered at Ivy suspiciously.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Killian’s lips kicked up in a grin.
Finare rolled his eyes at Killian. “I knew that was going to happen, but what I mean is, your scents are… different. They’ve changed.”
Ivy felt her cheeks heat as she wondered how much Finare might have heard of their activities last night. She dragged her gaze from Killian and looked to her Broodmate, who was staring at her again. “Killian and I made a discovery last night.”
“And?” Finare elongated the word, as a mischievous grin appeared on his lips.
Ivy looked to Killian again and maintained eye contact with him as she answered Finare’s question with, “We’re Resonant.”
Killian smiled at her, and the adoration she saw in his stare made her chest feel tight. Finare fell silent and looked between Ivy and Killian, and he blew out a breath.
“Well, fuck. Here I was thinking Resonant Vampires were a myth.” Finare shook his head as he spoke, and his eyes were wide in disbelief. After a moment, he let out a bark of laughter. “Zeldy’s going to shit when he finds out.”
Killian raised a brow at Finare’s nickname but didn’t comment.
“Do you think I should tell him?”
Killian remained silent, but out of the corner of her eye, Ivy noticed his push-ups became jerky as he followed the conversation.
“If he saw you two together, you wouldn’t have to tell him. But would that stop him from trying to take back what he thinks is his?” Finare raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m not sure. You kind of wear his dead Resonant’s face, after all.” Ivy could hear the edge of worry in his voice.
Ivy heard Killian growl, and it drew her attention back to him. He’d increased the pace of his push-ups and Ivy could feel his frustration from across the room.
“What are you suggesting?” Ivy asked.
“Only that he won’t give up without a fight.”
“A fight we can’t hope to win, with Voresta on his side,” Ivy added bitterly.
“Excuse me. I have fire,” Killian chimed in through gritted teeth.
Ivy peered at Killian again and watched as he rolled over to start doing sit-ups. Her temperature rose at the sight of the sheen of sweat across Killian’s bare upper body. He made eye contact with her each time he rose, and she saw a mixture of concern and frustration in his eyes.
“And he won’t let you anywhere near him now that he’s seen it,” Ivy retorted, which earned her a grimace from Killian.
“Did you forget that I’m the Hunter? He won’t even know I’m there until it’s too late.”
Ivy huffed, “We also have the Order of Protection to worry about.”
Finare’s eyes flicked between them as they sparred. “Ivy’s right. It’s all for nothing if you’re caught.” Killian grunted in response.
And Ended. Ivy’s throat tightened at the thought. Killian sat up and wrapped an arm around his knees, while his free hand ran through his sweat-dampened hair.
Killian blew out a frustrated breath. “I plan to make it look like an accident.”
Ivy felt her own frustration begin to rise. “I’m not willing to risk you, Killian. I’ve only just found you. If we make one wrong move, everything is gone, just like that.” Ivy clicked her fingers with her statement, and a flickering flame erupted from her fingers.
All three Vampires reared back in surprise. Ivy’s jolting movement caused the flame to wink out, and Ozias cawed and flapped his wings in surprise, before settling back down.
“Woah!” Finare cried.
“What the fuck!” Ivy shrieked as she clicked her fingers again. This time the action failed to conjure a flame. Her eyes shifted to Killian’s, searching for an explanation. He stared back at her intently.
“Try again. Clench your fist and think of something that makes you angry.”
Ivy balled her fist and closed her eyes.
She thought about Leseldh, and the web of manipulation and deceit that he wove for her throughout their time together.
She remembered his lies about the Sire and Broodling bond, the way he used the arousing effects of Fae blood against her, and the way the cracks in his calm facade deepened over time.
But it was the memory of last night’s sham of a Ceremony that made her blood heat.
She felt anger fill her, and as she opened both her hand and her eyes, she saw a ball of flame appear.
Both Finare and Ozias shifted in fear—Ozias flew to the loft’s railing, and Finare slid across the couch. Ivy clenched her fist once more, crushing the ball of flame and smothering it. She let out a shuddering breath as her excitement stamped her anger out of her system.
“How did you give me your power?” Ivy looked at Killian, her eyes wide.
Killian’s jaw worked as he struggled to form the words.
“It had to be through my blood.” He pushed up off the floor and began to pace the room.
“I had a moment with Ozias the other night. I was out on the balcony, and he appeared. I thought about trying to get him inside, but he flew in before I could. I think he might have understood me. I didn’t realise it then, but I saw his feathers as you’ve described them. ”
Ivy looked to Ozias. Were you able to communicate with Killian?
Ozias flew back down to land on the back of the couch. I heard his thoughts. I was unable to reply.
Ivy conveyed the information to the others. A silence fell in the room as they each processed what they’d just learnt.
Ivy was the first to break the silence. “I could take him out.”
“No,” Finare and Killian replied simultaneously, and Ivy couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s the last thing he’ll expect.” She looked between her companions. Finare tilted his head, as though weighing the argument. But Killian’s discomfort was evident.
“But all the other points remain,”—he counted off on his fingers as he spoke— “the Order of Protection, that Voresta and Leseldh are still stronger than you, and they won’t let me near them.
Besides, we don’t fully understand my fire yet.
It failed me last night. What if it fails you, too?
” A mixture of bitterness and trepidation crept into Killian’s tone.
Ivy sighed, “At least let me talk to him. Let me see if he’ll let me go willingly.”
“I’ll come with you,” Finare offered.
Ivy smiled, glancing at Killian. Two against one.
Killian was silent for a moment. He ran his fingers through his hair, sending stray strands tumbling into his face. A long sigh preceded his response, “I’ll watch over the house.”
It sounded like a caveat, but it was one Ivy was willing to accept.
The three Vampires travelled back to Veldmoor in Finare’s car. Killian had screwed his nose up in distaste at the idea of being a passenger, but Ivy reasoned that Finare’s car, although bright yellow, was less conspicuous than Killian’s thunderous muscle car.
They stopped at a small boutique on the opposite end of Diarom and Ivy purchased a series of garments to leave at Killian’s apartment.
Before leaving the store, she donned a flowing dress in midnight-blue.
Delicate beading resembling twinkling stars dotted the fabric.
It fell to just above the knee and had short puff sleeves.
The low neckline revealed the scar on her chest, and that was what she liked most about it—she knew it would irritate Leseldh, and she wanted him in a state of disarray.
They neared Veldmoor, and Ivy’s stomach roiled with uneasiness. As they drove down South-Central Boulevarde, Killian’s voice drew her attention to the back seat.
“Take a left before you get to Veldmoor.” He directed Finare to the side street across from the mansion. Ivy peered over her shoulder at him with a brow raised.
“Revealing your secrets, huh?”
“I don’t have to hide from you anymore.” He winked at her, and Ivy felt a fluttering in her chest. “Be careful. If anything goes wrong, send Ozias to me.”
Ivy nodded in reply, and Killian dropped a light kiss to her lips before exiting the car. Finare pulled away from the curb and looped around the block to return to Veldmoor. Ivy watched Killian’s form in the side mirror until he shrank from view.
Veldmoor’s gates opened upon their approach, and Finare drove up the private drive.
Ivy blew out a breath and rubbed her sweating hands on the skirt of her dress.
They ran through the plan one final time before Finare pulled up behind Leseldh’s sedan.
At least he’s here. She looked out the window at the mansion that loomed before her. It no longer felt like home.
As Ivy climbed out of the car, Ozias swept down from the skies to land on her shoulder.
She straightened her spine and started towards the mansion.
With every step, she replayed the montage of terror that was her relationship with Leseldh.
She let the horrifying moments steel her for what was about to come.
She glanced towards the north, in the direction of the buildings where she knew Killian was watching.
Although she couldn’t see him, she felt comfort knowing that he was nearby.
Veldmoor’s walls held a strange energy. Was this new, or had she simply never noticed it?
Ivy peered into the parlour, but Phaedra was its only occupant.
When Ozias spotted the other Erath, he flew to her side on the mantlepiece.
The lower floor was silent, so Ivy ventured upstairs.
Finare closed the door behind him before following.
When they reached the landing, he headed to his bedroom to lay low as planned.
Ivy peered down the hall and noticed Leseldh’s bedroom door was open.
She headed towards it, moving as quietly as she could.
She edged closer and allowed his room to fill her vision.
She was speared by her nerves when she spotted Leseldh’s form standing by the window that overlooked the front of the house. Had he seen them arrive?
Leseldh stood with his back straight and his arms crossed over his chest. He was as still as death and lost in thought. Ivy got the sense that his mind wasn’t just in another place, but perhaps even another time.
Time stretched on, and a thought trickled into Ivy’s mind.
Could she End him now? She imagined Killian’s disapproving gaze, but it was nudged aside by her feelings of frustration over last night’s Ceremony.
The way he barrelled through the corridors after them, screaming, you are my Resonant, Malia! I will never let you go!
Ivy recognised that this was as good of an opportunity as she was going to get.
She edged into the room on whisper-quiet feet.
She remembered Killian’s instructions and allowed her rage to fill her as she advanced towards Leseldh.
With each step, she reminded herself of her purpose, and she felt her body temperature rise.
She raised her fist, readying to strike.
When she opened her hand, a lick of flame appeared, but it flickered and died.