Desire Untamed (Feral Warriors #1)(41)

"Are you okay?" He grabbed her hands, turning them over in his. A different kind of energy surged through her at his touch. His voice roughened as if he felt it, too. "New power can hurt until you get used to it."

"It only hurt for a second. It just… startled me."

Lyon inspected her palms, running his thumbs over her flesh, as if he didn't believe her. Each stroke sent shivers rippling over her skin.

"Did it burn you?" he asked.

"Kind of. Could you feel the heat?"

He nodded. "I was having trouble crediting it. That's what I was hoping would happen eventually, but I didn't expect you to be able to do it for a few days at least. And not without help." Approval lit his eyes, warming her from the inside out. "Good job, little Radiant."

Kara smiled, the buzz of happiness so rare these past few days, she almost didn't recognize it. "Thanks. That was actually kind of fun in an oh-my-God-what's-happening way. Not nearly as creepy as this morning."

A smile glimmered in his eyes. "What happened this morning?"

"The power felt like worms under my skin."

"I've heard of that before. It'll get easier as you get stronger."

"Just how much stronger can I get? It felt like I caused an earthquake."

His lips tilted. "You didn't. With the Feral Circle in place, the quaking never extended beyond the rock."

"That's good. I'd hate to be responsible for a natural disaster."

The smile that had slowly been forming on his face finally found its way out and spread, widening his strong mouth, blossoming inside her, filling her with a pleasure so raw, so pure, it nearly brought tears to her eyes.

And made something move in his own. Their gazes locked in a way they never quite had before, and she felt herself falling. Tumbling into those warm, liquid-amber depths. Only the grip of his strong hands on hers kept her tethered to the ground.

Inside her chest, her heartbeat changed, shifting to a pulse that was deeper, stronger, as if they'd somehow, in that moment of connection, become one. Her heart was no longer hers alone.

And she knew.

She'd fallen in love with Lyon.

* * *

Chapter Twelve

Lyon dropped Kara's hands and rose, feeling suddenly strange. Off-balance. His chest heavy, like he wasn't sure he remembered how to breathe. Was this another problem due to the lack of radiance? Or something else? Something caused by the woman herself?

The moment he pulled away, Kara's gaze fled to the falls. She stared out at them now, her hair a golden glow around her. The pulse throbbing in her neck.

What just happened? She'd smiled, and he'd fallen. He'd felt as if his feet had been jerked right out from under him. As if his equilibrium had been suddenly stripped away.

Goddess, but she was a temptation he couldn't afford. What was he thinking bringing her out here alone? He should have at least brought one of the others with them. Hawke could have prepped her while he kept watch. Or Vhyper. He should have invited her mate. He could have watched to make sure he didn't go feral. But the thought of that snake's hands on her sent hot jealousy rushing through his bloodstream.

Damn, but he needed to get control.

Kara turned back to Lyon, feeling off-kilter. As if the sands had shifted beneath her feet. She loved him.

How screwed up was that?

She took a deep breath and struggled to settle down. What she felt for Lyon wasn't going to matter so long as he was convinced she had to marry Vhyper. Maybe there was a loophole somewhere. Dear God, there had to be a loophole somewhere.

Maybe for now, she simply needed to learn alt she could about this world and her role in it.

She looked at Lyon, watching the wind toss his thick hair as he watched her in return with enigmatic amber eyes.

"What's the purpose of this energy pull?" She linked her fingers together in front of her. "What can I do with it?"

"You have to pull the power in order to ascend."

"You keep using the word ascend. I'm not actually going anywhere am I?"

He turned away. "No, You'll call the power from the Earth, and we'll all share it."

"How?"

"There's nothing for you to fear."

Warning bells clanged in her head and she stood, staring at his strong profile.

"Oh, no you don't. The moment you tell me I shouldn't be afraid, I know I'd better start worrying. Spill it, Lyon. All of it."

"Later." His tone hardened with impatience. "You need to get back to work." But he wasn't meeting her gaze. She'd been down this path before and wasn't going there again.

"No way. You sent me into the Pairing without telling me I was getting a husband, and look how well that turned out. Don't you dare send me into another one unprepared."

His jaw clenched, and he remained mute.

Kara crossed her arms over her chest. "In case you hadn't noticed, this is not the way to calm my fears."

He glanced at her with a scowl. "You aren't going to like it."

"Tell me anyway. It's better if I'm prepared."

With a huff of frustration, he turned away and began pacing with tight agitation. "When the Ascension is over, you'll feel a rush of power like nothing you've ever experienced. We all will. And we'll be able to shift again."