Chapter 24
twenty-four
Killian
Killian lay on his side, propped up on his elbow as he stared at Ivy.
She was nestled beneath the silken sheets, her body torturously hidden from view.
He remained out of the covers, and he watched as her eyes roved over his exposed torso.
He smirked in pure male satisfaction at the look of desire he saw in her emerald-green eyes.
With Ivy’s needs at least somewhat satiated, the wave of tension running between them receded to a stream. Silence crept in and they each slipped into their own thoughts.
Killian reflected on the state of limbo he found himself in.
He had an inexorable need to explore every inch of this female’s flesh.
Everything about her was intoxicating, and the need for more consumed him.
But one thing was holding him back from feeding that need: Eryn.
He was reminded of his goal when his Broodmate’s face flashed into his mind.
But it wasn’t strong enough to compel him to wield his dagger against Ivy.
He didn’t know where Ivy’s mind had taken her, but he found out when she broke the silence and posed a question.
“Could you… help me complete my Ascension?” She bit her bottom lip, as though even she realised the absurdity of the request.
“I… there isn’t anywhere that I can keep you safe for that amount of time,” he started, his voice suddenly turning serious. “I can’t guarantee that I can keep you safe from them.”
“So, they’d be able to find me here?”
“With enough determination, they could find you. But even if I could protect you from them, my Sire is of greater risk to you.” He noticed the mixture of confusion and surprise that washed over her features. He wondered how much she knew of Drachen and Leseldh’s centuries-long rivalry.
He watched her in silence as she processed the information.
Wariness crossed her features, seemingly unconvinced by his words.
He reached towards her and ran his fingers through her hair, easing the curtain in his fingers downward to frame her face.
He looked down to watch his fingers as they played with the ends of her hair.
“I’d have no greater pleasure than to keep you here to myself, where I could devour every inch of you and ruin you for all other men. But I’m still the most dangerous person for you to be around.” It’s now just for different reasons.
He wasn’t sure what compelled him to speak with such candour, especially when what he was suggesting contravened his entire purpose. His words seemed to disarm her, and she drew in a deep, fortifying breath before responding.
“I guess I’ll go back, then.” There was reluctance in her voice, and her decision both pained and relieved him.
“It’s in your best interests to return to them for your Ascension. But you should shower first. That Fae bloodhound of yours will sniff me out. I kind of marked you tonight.” A satisfied smirk took over his features again.
“Hmm. Care to join me?” Ivy stretched like a cat, and the sheet slipped dangerously low. That, combined with the way she looked at him, made his cock twitch. It took every shred of his will not to accept that invitation. It seemed she was just as ravenous as he was.
“That would be counterproductive.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because,”—Killian shifted to close the gap between them— “With nothing between us but the water, I would have no other choice than to fuck you thoroughly, and then you’d be covered in my scent all over again.
” He moved so close his lips were almost touching hers as he spoke.
His words made her breath hitch, and it gave him a thrill.
“Raincheck, then.” The words sounded like a promise.
She slid out from under the covers, and he restrained himself from stopping her.
With gritted teeth, he watched as her naked body retreated.
He was mesmerised by the swaying of her long black hair as she left the room.
He blew out a breath before rising to redress himself.
His mind was awash with the memory of all that had taken place that evening.
He was completely and utterly fucked. Now that he’d touched and tasted Ivy’s flesh and coaxed pleasure from her body, he knew he’d crossed a threshold and there was no going back.
He was desperate for more of her, and what hesitation he had to End her before this night had morphed into obstinacy.
Preparing to return her to Zentroa was a testament to that.
He pulled on his jeans, unpleasantly tight against his hardness that had failed to dissipate since their encounter.
He scooped up his shirt and pulled it back on.
He strapped Cataplexis’s holster to his thigh before collecting his discarded dagger.
Once dressed, he left the bedroom and moved down the hallway.
He kept his eyes firmly fixed on the ground and resisted the urge to peer in through the open bathroom door, because if he did, he wasn’t sure if he could stop himself from turning into the room, instead of away from it.
The journey back to Zentroa was made in silence. Killian drove slower than he did on his way to Diarom, thinking that it would stave off Ivy’s growing anxiety. But it inevitably increased as the city loomed nearer.
By the time Killian’s car had made it onto North-Central Boulevarde, Ivy’s apprehension was palpable. He placed a comforting hand on her thigh, and the touch seemed to encourage her to give voice to her thoughts.
“What the fuck am I going to say to Leseldh?” Her voice wavered, and Killian glanced at her. He’d already considered the options, so his words were calm and measured.
“Tell him I captured you.”
“Aren’t you concerned that they’ll come after you?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just… use me however you need to use me, and I’ll take care of the rest.” He wanted to be used in many ways by her but now was not the time for playfulness.
“They won’t believe that I managed to escape.”
“Say that I let you go.”
“Why would you do that, though?”
“Because you made me think of my sister.”
“Your sister?” There was confusion in Ivy’s voice, and Killian could see her peering at him from his peripheral vision, but he kept his eyes on the road.
“That should distract them from the truth of what happened tonight.” Killian adopted a casual tone, hoping it would be enough to divert her from more questions. He was relieved when Ivy took a deep breath to steel herself, and nodded, seemingly satisfied for now.
“I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“I have a feeling that it won’t be until after your Ascension, if we’re lucky.” Killian ached at the thought.
“Me too.” The despair in her voice made him want to turn the car around. But he continued onward, his eyes scanning for any threats as they closed in on the mansion.
He stopped the car a block away from Veldmoor’s front gate, in case it was being monitored. He left the car to idle and turned to face Ivy.
“Come and find me once you’ve completed your Ascension.”
“Where will I find you?”
“The usual places.” He smirked at her, and a smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes graced her lips. The urge to kiss her was strong but he fought it. She seemed to be similarly conflicted, but she eventually opened the door, climbed out of the car, and was gone.
He watched her walk away, her hair swaying behind her.
As he was enchanted by the movement of those silken tresses, he almost forgot he was sending her into ruination.
He gunned the engine once she’d slipped through Veldmoor’s gates, but instead of heading back to Diarom, he drove to the adjoining lot where he could maintain a watch, if only to be near her for a bit longer.