Chapter 40 #2
“I’m so happy you two lovebirds have made peace, but please refrain from your disgusting displays of affection at the table. I may not read a mated pairs’ thoughts, but it doesn’t take a seer to understand what is passing between you two,” Arc says with a sneer.
I laugh at his disdain. Nothing brings me sweeter satisfaction than making that male’s life more miserable than it already is.
Now, now, my Little Dreamer, we need his help.
I glower down at Caelum, who tugs me into his lap. “Speaking of,” I say as I turn to look at the cursed lord on the other side of Draven. “What thoughts do you have of my dreams? Do you think your father has set course back to Silverveil?”
His lips wrap around a chunk of meat from his fork, and I scowl as he keeps his gaze on me while he chews. After he swallows, he answers, and I wonder if he revels in commanding everyone’s attention. “I believe my father has sensed your presence and deemed his premature return necessary, yes.”
Rory pipes up from beside Soren. “Do you know who the woman could be with him? Any alliances he had that would have benefited him?”
Arc’s lips press into a hard line. “He didn’t leave with anyone, but I do not know who he may have formed a connection with in the past four centuries while away.”
Mei clears her throat from across the table, her voice seeking a steady footing. “Is it possible for Camryn to take someone into the dream world with her who may recognize the woman?”
“It’s possible, yes. But it’s risky taking someone into the dream realm who doesn’t possess dream magic. Whatever harm may befall them in the dream has consequences in the physical plane.”
“Like death?” Clara asks, her emerald eyes boring into the cursed lord.
His icy blue eyes flare. “Yes. Death would be a mercy if another Dreamer captures you in the dream world and refuses to let you leave. They can keep you in a perpetual state of suspended consciousness. Forced to endure whatever nightmares they conjure.”
“Which is why I’ve kept Caelum out of my dreams, despite his offer.” I harden my gaze on Arc.
“How sweet of you,” he replies with a smug grin.
Soren shocks me with his words. “Perhaps Arc would be a suitable candidate for accompanying Camryn into the dream world.” I raise my eyebrows at the suggestion of offering the cursed lord to his father.
Arc’s lips twitch as he gazes at the sentinel. “That was my intention, but then Draven had another idea.”
All eyes shift to the stoic male between me and Arc. The mysterious male’s face is a mask of indifference, but Caelum shifts beneath me, leaning forward. “He has dream magic,” Caelum mumbles, as if the thought is just coming to him.
My gaze shifts to Arc as he explains. “He’s an incubus. He can enter your mind, your dreams. He’d see everything you see without risking falling victim to my father.”
My eyebrows nearly meet my hairline at the mention of ‘incubus.’ I’m no prude and I’ve read enough demon smut to know that incubi feed by sexually assaulting women in their sleep.
A growl rumbles from Caelum’s chest, confirming my assumption. His eyes lock onto the aforementioned incubus beside me. “You want to use your magic on my mate?!”
A thick ribbon of magic wraps around me like a protective film.
Draven swivels toward Caelum. “You know I would never betray you like that. I’d never do anything to harm her.
Her reaction is a natural response to the magic that none of us control.
And I’m the only one with dream magic who could recognize the woman in the dream. We all know she’s the missing piece.”
My gaze flickers from the Draven to Caelum, who’s fiery magic sparks between his fingertips. I brush my thumb against his cheek to draw his attention. “Hey, look at me. What does it mean? Why are you so upset? What would he have to do?”
Caelum’s nostrils flare as he focuses on me. “He’d have to tap into his dream magic to protect you both from my father. That means to keep you from expelling him from your mind, he has to unleash his lust magic. You’d desire him.”
My mouth gapes. “I would literally lust after him while he penetrates my mind?” Using ‘penetrates’ was a poor choice as it threatens to expel the little food I choked down.
Arc’s voice resounds over the table. “Only in your mind. He wouldn’t be touching your body. Just imagine the greatest feeling of ecstasy you’ve ever felt.” He smirks as his eyes shift to Caelum and my skin heats in embarrassment at his acknowledgment of our bond. It was the best sex I’ve ever had.
Caelum’s voice groans in my mind. Please don’t get me hard right now while I’m raging at the suggestion of my best friend making my mate lustful while I watch helplessly.
Don’t blame me! It was Arc who alluded to it!
The table falls silent as the awkwardness of the situation settles like a heavy blanket.
Caelum is shaking with anger beneath me. I rub my hand down his wing to calm him. That seems to do the trick, as he releases what can only be described as a purr. I freeze my caress and stare at him wide eyed. I glance around the table to watch eyes fall to the table.
What is happening right now? Why do I feel like I need to rip my clothes off? I stare into Caelum’s eyes, wishing no one else was here.
It’s the mating bond. Since you’ve acknowledged it, our urges are stronger. Which is exactly why letting Draven enter your mind with you is a bad idea. Your pleasure is mine and not to be on display for a room of voyeurs.
The idea of people watching only makes me hotter.
Caelum scowls at me. No.
I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. We can’t put it off. Let’s just get it over with so that me and you can go upstairs. It sounds like I’ll be at peak readiness. I give him a sly grin.
His nostrils flare, and I know he’s considering the reward. Fine. But only those who need to be in the room will be.
I grin at him. Good mate.
Arc heaves a deep sigh. “Are you two going to clue us in, or are we all staying for a show?”
Caelum growls and flashes his gaze to the cursed lord.
“I’ll do it,” I interject. I glance at Draven beside me and his dark blue eyes shift to an inky black. What have I gotten myself into?