Chapter 18
18
I paced barefooted back and forth across Mistral’s study. I had kicked my boots off near the door. I should have known better. I should have worn running shoes with the dress.
A standing lamp near the door bathed the room in soft light, making the balcony appear darker, though I could see the outline of the telescope still out there. The goblin woman had delivered me, then had excused herself, and I was yet to see Gabriel or Mistral.
I stopped walking, forcing myself to read the titles of the books on the nearest shelf, but my mind was too frantic to comprehend anything.
My mother. Of course this had something to do with my mother. Sebastian knew her, and so did the angelics.
I turned around and slumped onto a cushioned chair with a huff. I had no idea why the angelics were helping her, but there was no excuse for killing night runners just so we couldn’t help the vampires or Sebastian find her.
I slumped further down into my seat, lost in thought. If I hadn’t accidentally walked into the wrong room that night, Sebastian never would have seen me. The angelics would have killed me, only to find out later who I was. Or maybe not at all. Maybe I would have died and my mother never would have known.
Which raised the question, how had they figured it out? Sebastian may have recognized me, but no one else would have. My father had changed our names after my mother left, but I never understood why. He claimed I was too young to understand, then he had died.
I straightened as the door opened, and Mistral stepped inside. He wore charcoal pants and another linen button up, but this time he also wore a gray wool coat and his boots were muddy. He had been out somewhere else—so then how had he known where to send his emissary to find me? He kicked off his boots near the door while Ringo trotted into the room after him.
My jaw fell open. I looked at the little goblin, then up at Mistral. But Mistral only eyed me with concern as Ringo scurried across the rug, then sat on his haunches on the floor in front of me. “Sorry, Eva. I had to tell him. You were going somewhere dangerous with the devil.”
I blinked at him. Ringo had ratted me out? “How did you make it all the way here? ”
He tilted his head like the question didn’t make sense.
Mistral gently shut the door behind him, then approached. “Gladiola told me what happened.”
Gladiola , that must’ve been the goblin who escorted me. I had been too overwhelmed to ask her name. “Well then you don’t really need a report ,” I said weakly.
He knelt before me, bringing with him the scent of rain and fresh mud. “I did not know for sure that Celeste was your mother, hence all of my questions.”
I opened my mouth to call him a liar, but then remembered our bargain. He was telling the truth. “Are you part of the game then? Are you wanting to collect the bounty on her?”
His gray eyes met mine steadily. “I would like to collect the bounty, but I’m not looking for your mother. I’m looking for the person who listed the bounty to begin with.”
I buried my face in my palms. This was all so insane. “Sebastian thinks I can be used to find her, and so do the vampires now that they know I’m her daughter. That’s why they’re all after me. It’s all because of my mom, screwing me after all these years.”
He placed his hands on my knees. “Do you truly not know what she has done to earn her bounty?”
I lifted my face from my palms to glare at him. “I truly do not. I barely know a thing about her. That’s why I’ve been trying to find her, to get back what she took.”
He stared into my eyes. Gods, he was handsome. Even now in my current state, my body warmed at his nearness. It felt good having his hands on me.
Ringo shifted slightly on the floor beside us, reminding me of his presence. “What did she take?”
I looked back and forth between the two of them. Braxton was the only other person who knew. And I knew I couldn’t trust Mistral—he had already played me—but I needed help, and he felt like a better option than Sebastian or the angelics.
I lowered my eyes. “My mother took all my memories. I’m not sure why. I think something happened, something big, and then she stole everything and left. I had nearly three years with my dad after that. I remember those years, but almost everything before then is gone.” My expression soured. “And now all of these idiots want to find her. They have no idea what they’ll be dealing with once they do.” And neither did I. All I knew was that a mother who could and would steal all her child’s memories was not a person to be trifled with.
“You remember nothing?” Mistral asked, his tone gone even lower.
I hunched my shoulders. I couldn’t believe I’d actually told him. I had been keeping my secret for a long time, knowing it could make me vulnerable. “I remember bits and pieces. I remember what my mother looked like. At first I didn’t. When she left, that last time I saw her, I thought she was a stranger. But little pieces came back over time.” I shrugged. “Apparently she looks different now. I met another celestial tonight who seemed to know me.”
“If she looks different now, could it have been your mother?” Mistral asked.
I shook my head. “No, it wasn’t her. I would have known. I sensed her once in the city, long after she left, and it was like every scrap of magic within me lit up at once. I knew it was her, and I knew exactly where she was, but then she was gone. She must have left the realm at that point.”
“So you really could find her then, if you could reach whatever realm she’s in now.”
I nodded. “But what no one seems to get, is that I can’t go to other realms.” I met his gray eyes. “What is this thing that everyone wants? What bounty could be so important?”
His face shut down, and anger flared within me. Was he really not going to tell me after all I had just admitted?
He studied my face, then sighed. “It is an item that enables anyone with magic to travel to the far realms. It is both a map, and a means of creating new pathways. If I had it, I could go home again.”
I blinked at him. And here I’d thought it was going to be something evil, a blind quest for power. But— “You’re not talking about the Realm Breaker.”
Still closely watching my expression, he nodded.
“But it’s a myth. Everyone wanted to blame the celestials for destroying the pathways, so someone made up a rumor that they had used a sword. But it doesn’t actually exist. Everyone knows that.”
“I believe it does exist, Eva. And you know I speak only the truth.”
I leaned back against my seat. It was utterly ridiculous. The older beings had gotten trapped here because there wasn’t enough magic for them to return to their realms, not because a celestial destroyed the pathways.
“Okay, say it hypothetically exists. Then why do the vampires want it? They originated here. And their particular form of power probably isn’t enough to work with such an item.”
He gave me a humoring smile. “Yes, but imagine how much such an item would be worth to the right buyer. There are other players in the game, though I do not know them. I imagine many are seeking a more monetary end.”
He was right. If the Realm Breaker actually existed, it could make the vampires or anyone else rich beyond their wildest dreams. “Why did Sebastian send me here to ask you about Celeste? About my mother .”
He lowered his head, draping his white hair across his shoulders. “Because I had contact with her more recently than most. I gave her sanctuary here until she was ready to escape to another realm.” He quickly met my eyes. “But I did not know she had a daughter until I heard about your connection to the bounty. When we first met, I only suspected you were connected to her. I truly wasn’t sure, and I knew nothing about what she did to you.”
I relaxed. He couldn’t have said that if it wasn’t the truth, and just the fact that he cared for me to have the information made me trust him more. “But how did anyone find out that I was her daughter? Sebastian recognized me because he knew her before.”
“I noticed the resemblance as well,” he admitted. “It was the source of my suspicions, along with Sebastian’s interest in you. If both of us made the connection, others probably did too. Others who knew her before. She probably changed her appearance shortly after I helped her escape.”
It made sense. Anyone who might have recognized me could have made the connection. Once they knew who I was, they could have paid off any of the investigators I’d hired for more information.
“But what was she running from?” I asked, desperate for more answers.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. At least, not exactly. And honestly, the aid I offered her was not altruistic. I had hoped she could help me return home, but she wouldn’t be tricked into a bargain. And she was gone before I could get any information out of her.”
“Sounds about right,” I muttered.
I looked down at my lap. My mother was having night runners killed just to protect herself. She had to know I might get caught up in it, and she didn’t order Lucas to avoid any female half-celestials of a certain age. Had she not even thought of me at all until she learned I had almost been killed?
“The celestial woman I met tonight said I had been hidden from my mother. Do you know what that might mean?”
His brows knit together. “Truly, I wish I did.”
I hung my head. I was exhausted, and I had a lot to think about. I knew an item like the Realm Breaker couldn’t actually exist, but then, what else could everyone be after? Maybe they all knew something I didn’t. Maybe they had proof of its existence.
Mistral stood, then offered me his hand. “You should rest. You will stay here until we figure out what to do about the vampires.”
I took his hand, feeling a flare of magic between us as he pulled me to my feet. He kept hold of my hand and met my eyes long enough that my cheeks started to burn. That strange tingling magic built between us the longer our bare skin touched.
“Do you do that on purpose?” I asked, my throat tight.
“I thought perhaps it was you.” He moved his hands beneath the wide sleeves of my coat, pressing more of our skin together.
A warm ball of magic formed in my chest. “It’s not me.” Or was it? Part of it did feel like me. Like my magic was answering to his.
Mistral looked toward our feet, then back at my face, his eyes glittering with amusement. “It seems your little friend fears seeing something he should not.”
I stole a glance at the door to find it slightly ajar. My mouth went dry. “And what do you think he’s worried about seeing?” I asked softly.
He removed his hands from my arms, then gripped my waist to pull me toward him. Our lips met, sending electric currents of magic and desire spiking through me.
He deepened the kiss, leading me to lean my butt against the desk. My blood thundered in my veins, my body reacting to him like it had always known him. And the small sliver of magic within me knew him too.
I pulled away with a gasp, then looked up into his eyes. “Do you want the same thing from me?”
His brow furrowed.
“Do you hope my celestial blood can help you go home? Or do you just hope I can lead you to the Realm Breaker?”
His mind seemed to be just as addled as mine. It took him a moment to answer, “I am forced to admit the thought has crossed my mind. But I must also point out that there are things you want from me as well.”
He was right. I wanted information, and protection, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want him too.
I lowered my eyes to the top buttons of his shirt, then reached out and plucked one open. “Thank you for sending Gladiola to find me tonight. I might currently be trapped in the Silver Quarter if you hadn’t.”
He leaned his body against mine, cradling my back with his arms. “The Silver Quarter doesn’t have enough trees. And trust me, the food is utter rubbish. You’re better off here.”
He reclaimed my mouth, his hands going to my hips to pull me more firmly against him. He kissed me passionately, and his magic tingled across my skin, raising every hair on my body before searching lower, making my body go tight with need.
I broke the kiss, breathing heavily as I stared into his eyes. “Are you sure you’re not intentionally using your magic on me?”
His fingers cupped my cheeks, then pushed back through my hair, pulling me closer. “It is not just my magic, dear Eva.”
I shook my head, wanting another kiss, but wanting information even more. “It’s never been like this before. Not with anyone else.”
He lifted a brow. “Have you ever been with anyone with strong magic?”
“Come to think of it, no.”
His lips found mine again, and this time I melted against him, allowing my hands to press up the muscled expanse of his back. His shirt was impossibly soft, but I needed it gone. I needed to feel his bare skin.
His hands gripped my lower back as I created enough space between us for me to unbutton his shirt. Once I reached the end, I smoothed my hands up his bare chest, pulling the shirt off his shoulders. Feeling his skin and breathing his scent made more magic tingle across me, quickening my pulse.
I still didn’t understand it, but it felt damn good. His shirt fell to the floor, and I leaned back to look at him. He was muscled, but not the type of muscle you got from lifting weights. It was the type of muscle you got from actually doing normal vigorous activities. Long and lean.
Heat filled his pure gray eyes as he looked down at me, and the feel of magic kicked up a notch, to the point where it was almost difficult to breathe.
Looking at him standing before me, I decided maybe breathing was something I could sacrifice. I went to him, pressing my body against his as I kissed a line up his chest and made my way to his neck. His skin tasted slightly of salt and rain.
He groaned, reaching to remove my coat. Hesitating, he looked down at me. “Are you sure? You’ve been through a lot.”
I smirked. “Where was this hesitation when you were tricking me into two different bargains?”
He gave me a feral smile, then pressed his hands inside my coat over my shoulders, removing the heavy fabric to fall to the floor, leaving me in nothing but my skimpy green dress.
His eyes lingered on the dress hugging every curve of my body. “Not your usual attire. ”
I lifted a brow “You don’t like it?”
He pulled me against him with enough force to steal my breath. “I like it very much.” He lifted me by my waist to wrap my legs around him, then he sat me down on the desk, leaning over me.
The prickle of magic increased with our arousal, almost making me feel like I was drunk, though Mistral didn’t seem to be having the same issue. His hands searched my body, eventually hooking under the high hem of my dress. It was over my head and on the floor in an instant, leaving me glad I had chosen some of my nicer undergarments—a green lace bra to fit the neckline of the dress and matching panties.
Mistral’s eyes went right to the low-cut bra, then his mouth followed. He kissed the tops of my breasts while his hands reached behind me and those nimble fingers did their work. The moment my breasts spilled out, he caught one in his mouth.
I threw my head back and groaned, my body thrumming with need. All thoughts of vampires, angelics, and my mother flitted away in a heavy rush of arousal and magic.
Mistral kissed my other breast, teasing my nipple with his tongue, then he knelt, kissing his way down my stomach. I braced my arms behind me as he removed my panties, then kissed even lower.
As soon as his tongue found me, magic exploded in a sudden rush. I had never felt anything like it. Usually my magic was more subtle, just little shifts and sensing boundaries. But every stroke of his tongue made it build within me even more. It was the magic of the stars, infinite and ever-shifting. And beyond that I could feel his magic like a cool rush of ozone across my entirely bare skin. He brought me near completion with his mouth in mere moments, but I wanted more. More of him, and more of the feel of my magic, like a lost piece of me. I pressed my hands against his shoulders so I could slip down from the desk, then I reached for the button on his pants.
He watched me with dark heat in his gray eyes, all hints of teasing wiped away.
I removed his pants and his briefs as one, leaving me staring down at the hard, gleaming sight of him. I had never seen someone with grey skin entirely nude before. He looked like he was made of smooth, unyielding stone. But when I touched him he felt warm… And safe. So oddly safe.
My view was interrupted as his mouth took mine again, pushing me back against the desk. The feel of him hard against my stomach drew a moan from deep in my throat.
I distantly noted the rustle of a condom wrapper. Then with one hand bracing me against him, he slid the other down, positioning himself. He entered me slowly, drawing small gasps from my lips as he kissed down my neck.
Once he was in I wrapped my legs around him again, lifting myself for a better angle for him to thrust into me.
He did so with abandon, pounding me against the desk in a way that was almost painful, but not quite.
When I leaned into him, he gripped my hips and thrust harder, bringing me to the edge of orgasm. I could have sworn I saw actual glittering stars floating around us, but when I tried to focus on them, they were gone.
My breath huffed in protest as he pulled out, then flipped me around, pushing me down against the desk before slamming back into me.
I cried out, leaning down further and grinding my hips against him, forgetting about the stars. Another thrust an an orgasm washed over me. I ground against him harder, feeling his body tense as he came right along with me.
The magic growing in my chest reached its apex, then exploded outward. This time the stars streaked across my vision, and I realized that just for a flash, they really were right in the room with us. Then they went back into me, making my body feel cool and hot at the same time.
Mistral draped his chest across my back, catching his breath.
“What the hell was that?” I panted.
He nuzzled his face against my neck into my hair. “You really know nothing about your magic, do you?”
“I told you why.”
He kissed my neck. “Yes, I understand.” He pulled back, but stayed inside me, turning my chin enough for another kiss. It was a sweeter kiss than before with no desperation behind it.
He slid out of me, then before I knew it I was cradled in his arms. “Let’s get you into a bath.”
I blinked up at him. “A bath?”
He smiled down at me. “Do you not want one?”
I grinned. Whatever he had woken inside of me was settling down now, leaving me feeling more like myself. “No, I want one. But I was just thinking that bath in your spare chamber looked big enough for two .”
He kicked open the door, then carried me out into the hall, completely naked. I tensed for a moment, but there was no one around, not even any tiny goblins watching from the ledges of the bricks. Ringo had also made himself scarce.
And so I clung to the goblin prince and allowed him to carry me away for a bath. I wasn’t sure what the hell I was going to do in the morning, or what fresh magic he had somehow brought out in me, but they were problems for daylight. For now, I was going to experience an actual feeling of safety, wrapped in the high goblin’s arms.