Alterant (Belador #2)(72)

Quinn had rallied the minute they’d redirected their Noirre majik at Kizira. He’d opened his mind, reaching out in a rage of energy he used to quickly overtake the mind of two warlocks, dropping them where they stood.

The other one had been so intent on Kizira that he’d failed to notice the greater danger gaining his feet behind him. When Quinn had finished, all three laid scattered on the ground. He’d taken one look at a shocked Kizira and collapsed on top of the pile of bodies.

When he’d next opened his eyes, he’d found that Kizira had hidden him away in the mountains, where she cared for his battered body.

Just as she was doing now.

He held his thoughts for a moment before they spilled between the gaps in his mind. What had he been saying to her a minute ago? The words she whispered slipped inside his head and floated around. His mind fogged with pleasure from where her fingers rubbed his temples with circular motion. The pleasure seeped into his body as though carried on streams of rejuvenating oils.

Her voice whispered close to his ear. “Do you remember the bracelet I braided from your hair?”

“Huh . . . yes.” He smiled at the memory. She’d worn the bracelet until the last day, when he’d suggested she might not want to go home with a Belador token of that sort. He’d told her the bracelet would only make her regret what they’d done.

She’d replied that she was keeping the bracelet to prove she didn’t regret their time together.

A silly thing, but he’d been touched that she’d taken the keepsake with her.

It didn’t matter. This was a mistake. He mumbled, “Kizira . . . can’t be here.”

Warm air rushed across his throat when she said, “I told you I’d come if you called.”

Her words echoed in slow waves, bouncing across his mind. “Why . . . did I call you?”

Because you missed me. Remember? Her voice entered his mind gently, so much better than hearing sounds. You do remember missing me, Quinn, don’t you?

Oh, yes. “I did . . . miss you.”

Her hands moved to his neck and shoulders, rubbing deep into tired muscles while her voice massaged his mind. You like to be touched and kissed. Her lips brushed his, then disappeared.

The pauses between bouts of pain stretched longer.

He had something to do . . . something about . . .

Her lips brushed kisses along his forehead. Then her voice flowed into his mind on a soft hum. I care for you, Quinn.

I don’t think . . . you should, he answered. Other thoughts flitted up, almost in focus, then backed away just out of his reach. I’m not . . . I’m not . . . right for you.

Yes, you are. Her fingers slid along his chest, stopping to delve into a tight muscle, loosening him inch by inch. I want you, Quinn. Again. Like last time.

Can’t do that. Wrong. But he had a new ache that pulsed in his groin.

His belt unbuckled and his pants loosened at the waist.

She reached inside and caressed him.

He hissed, “Kizira.”

That was supposed to sound like a warning, not a request.

She said, I’ve missed you, too. Missed touching you most of all.

The world lost shape, tumbled on its side and lay there.

Quinn tried to open his eyes. Couldn’t.

Her voice and touch consumed him, binding him, filling him from the inside out. Her fingers . . . oh, her fingers . . . stroked.

His body took over, all attention shifted straight south. He tensed, ready to surge with the orgasm.

No control.

Couldn’t breathe . . . waiting for her to move again . . . he ached . . . pleasure with teeth scraped his nerves. He couldn’t move his hands to reach for her. Could do nothing but lie here, waiting . . .

Please.

I want you, Quinn, she repeated over and over. Tell me you miss me.

His muscles strained, everything tied to one part of his body waiting for release. “I miss you.”

Her fingers slid along his length up an inch, then stopped, then up another inch. He shook with need.

Do you want me to help Evalle?

“What?”

I could watch out for her. Kizira’s fingers stroked back down, her hand first hot, then cold.

His body clenched. He was panting. The edge was close, just a tip away.

Where is Evalle?

He struggled to recall. “She’s gone.”

But how do I find her?

“Don’t know.”

Pain shot behind his eyes.

Kizira whispered against his ear, Think, Quinn. Where is Evalle?

He swallowed, panting. Jagged shards of glass stabbed each of his eyes.

The pain subsided again and Kizira was kissing him. I have what you want. What you need.

He reached for her, surprised his arms moved. His hands touched bare flesh everywhere. She shivered and whispered seductive words, begging him to give her what she wanted.

Just ask. Whatever he owned was hers.

But he’d never told a woman that and didn’t think—

Her fingers cupped him and he stilled. The delicate touch of her fingers drove him insane. Too gentle to push him into oblivion.

He ground his teeth. She kept teasing him, as if he could grow any larger in the tight skin sheathing him.

When she finally gripped him firmly, he made a sound deep in his throat, a primal need for release.

She said, Tell me where Evalle is and I will give you anything you want.