House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(87)

“What the hell does that mean?”

How could a land of desires be something hard or dangerous? Their expressions indicated they thought this was worse than the previous six lands.

“I see that look on your face,” Daniel started, “and I promise you’re wrong. This land will give you a ghost of everything you crave in life, the deepest hopes you hold in your heart. You will waste away chasing after something, only to find that it is not real, that you’ve been pouring your hopes and dreams, your literal soul into a fa?ade.”

Lexen let out a ragged huff. “I think we should rest for a little while. We’re in the section between again and I can feel an ease on my energy. I need all the strength I can to resist … especially with—” He cut himself off, but with the way he was staring at me, there was no doubt in my mind what he’d been about to say.

I looked again, across what looked like a beautiful snow-filled field. “What’s with the snow?” I asked, wondering if that had something to do with desires. I had personally always found snow to be magical, but I knew for a fact not everyone felt that way.

“We don’t see the same thing as you,” Daniel told me. “This land shifts to each individual fantasy. The basic layout is the same, but I’m not a fan of snow, so I don’t see that.”

He didn’t say what his land was, and no doubt it was quite a personal thing to ask that, so I didn’t.

“I see snow,” Lexen said, drawing my full attention. “Winter is my favorite season. I have fire and ice in my veins, but like Qenita, ice is where my heart lies.”

Obsidian eyes flashed with white light. I could barely stop myself from touching him. The draw was getting stronger, especially since we had both acknowledged our feelings. Since we had kissed.

“I’ll keep watch if you two want to rest,” Daniel said, interrupting my fiery thoughts. “I’m the least battered and bruised.”

I’d gotten quite good at ignoring the low aching throb in my injured shoulder. But as soon as Daniel mentioned it, the pain seemed to surge out with force. Together with my many other scrapes and my overwhelming hunger … I was not feeling my best.

“A rest would be good,” I murmured.

Daniel nodded. “I can give you an hour, no more. The council might have detained Laous, but he will figure out a way to come after us. We do not want to be in the justices when that happens.”

Hell no we didn’t.

Lexen held out a hand to me and I found myself smiling as I fitted my palm to his, our fingers interlacing. “Come on, badass little human. Let’s get some sleep.”

Fatigue was very faintly visible across his face. You’d have to be looking close to notice it, but it was there. I was going to make sure he definitely got some rest. He led me to the wall of the step, dropping to the ground and fitting his spine against it, pulling me down so I was lying in front of him. I could feel the heat of his body all the way down my back. I wasn’t sure what to do, having never—

“Stop thinking so hard,” he interrupted, murmuring into my ear. “I won’t sleep unless I know you’re safe. The only way for me to know that is if you’re in my arms.”

Everything in my body went boneless; I sank against him, letting my head fall to his bicep. It was a little too muscled to be comfortable, but it was definitely a step or two up from the ground. Daniel settled in a little away from us, perched on a flat rock, looking relaxed but somehow still alert.

I was so tired, but my mind just wouldn’t shut down enough for me to sleep. All these new emotions, the strength of my feelings, the new experiences … it was a lot. I was processing as fast as I could, but there was only so much “new” I could handle.

Lexen’s hand, resting near my hip, started to move slowly. At first the gentle caresses sent fire through my body, but when he didn’t touch anywhere other than that one spot, and the movements gentled, I found a haze washing over me.

My eyelids fluttered a few times, my breathing evening out, easing into something slow and rhythmic, and then I was fast asleep.





19





Not a single dream disturbed me. I don’t think I moved a muscle until gentle nudges had me rising from unconsciousness with no concept of where I was. Or what had happened. It wasn’t until I opened my eyes to see a darkly tanned arm that I remembered Lexen. More accurately, me sleeping on Lexen.

He shifted behind me and I rolled over so I could see him. He was wide awake, not an ounce of drowsiness in his gaze.

“Hey,” I squeaked out, clearing my throat. “I hope I didn’t kill your arm.”

He wore a knowing look, like this half-smirk, half-smolder thing that he did so well. It was sexy as hell, especially teamed with the tousled dark hair. “Takes a lot more than a human to kill my arm.”

I smacked his chest, instantly regretting that decision. Ouch. “You know what I mean. It must be dead from me lying on it.” I let out a huff. “Last time I try and be nice to you.”

He laughed, tightening both arms around me and rolling onto his back. I had no choice but to go with him, sprawling out across his chest. “I think I’m addicted to you,” he murmured, our mouths brushing together. His expression sobered then as our gazes remained locked. “I’m starting to understand why Daniel wants to shirk his responsibilities. I’ve always accepted mine as part of my duty, even if I didn’t particularly like the restrictions they placed on me. But now I’m wondering if the sacrifice is just too great.”