Authors: Amy Miles
Kyan’s words hang heavy in the air.
I look to Eamon and know he’s thinking the same thing I am…they are going to need me to help with the Rising.
Without my abilities, we can’t possible hope to win against Drakon’s army.
“As much as you know I hate to say this, I think you need to try.
Kyan is right.”
Eamon sighs, slumping with regret. “If anyone can trigger your powers, it’s him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go on,” he nods.
“I’ll wait here.”
I blow out a breath, shocked that I am even considering this.
“Where is he?”
“In the clearing.
It’s where he goes every day,” Kyan replies.
This revelation cuts me to the quick.
Why does he go back there?
Is it to reminisce over the destruction I caused when he ran or to try to forget?
I leave with shoulders hunched and a heavy weight in my chest.
I wind through the forest, trying not to notice the lingering damage from my rampage, or think about why it happened in the first place.
As I enter the clearing, I spy Bastien just sitting in the middle.
His head is bowed and his legs are crossed, almost like he is meditating.
He stiffens when I step down on a twig.
His eyes widen in shock but his expression quickly sinks into a grimace as I approach.
“Wait!” I call out.
“Please, don’t go.”
Bastien’s face is void of emotion as he watches me.
“What do you want?”
My voice catches in my throat at the sound of his voice.
It is dull and lifeless compared to how it used to sound.
“Kyan sent me.”
His cold exterior melts into crazed enthusiasm.
“Does he need me for another scouting run?”
Bastien has volunteered to join every group that has left the camp over the past month.
His desperation to flee my presence has morphed into a need to pick a fight with enemy Caldonians.
“No.
Actually…I need your help.”
My throat constricts making it hard to breathe, let alone speak.
I drop my gaze and shift uncomfortably.
“
You
need my help?”
He glances in my direction but can’t quit make eye contact.
“I’m not doing so well with my training…” my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Bastien has always believed in me.
I don’t want to disappoint him, even if he is no longer a part of my life.
He steps forward, the tension in his legs making him look like a wooden toy soldier.
“What can I do?”
There is no hesitation to his offer of help.
My heart clenches painfully at his continued promise to be there for me.
“Kyan thinks you can trigger my powers…”
Bastien’s eyebrow arches.
“How?”
A blush reddens my cheeks as I twist my hands, unsure of how to explain without feeling like a complete fool.
“My mind sabotages me every time I try to practice so Kyan thought you could…unsettle me.”
I look away as my embarrassment rises to torturous levels.
Bastien’s silence is unnerving.
I peek up at him and watch a wide variety of emotions play across his facefear, doubt, longing and then finishes with smug pride.
“Kyan knows your emotions for me are stronger than for Eamon.”
“Yes,” I whisper.
My admission appears to crack through Bastien’s cocky façade.
His shoulders slump as his entire being seems to droop.
“I understand if you don’t want to…if you can’t…” I gush, eager for him to refuse.
I want to run and hide from the wounds seeing him has inflicted, but I remain.
I am here for Kyan, but I’d be a fool if I denied that a part of me didn’t want to be here too.
Bastien approaches, stopping less than a foot away.
My vision is filled with his broad chest, etched to perfection in his tight fighting black top.
His hair has been cut.
It no longer falls shaggily over his ears, but has been trimmed short.
Up close, he looks sexier than I remember.
The stubble on his cheeks makes him look rugged, irresistible.
I gulp, painfully aware of how his presence makes me weak in the knees.
Even after all this time apart, it feels like only moments have passed since I was in his arms.
He reaches out his hand, but reconsiders and draws back.
“Will this help you?”
I nod, not trusting my voice to withhold the tremor rippling through me as he searches my face.
He appears to be memorizing, or at least re-familiarizing himself, with my face.
His gaze is soft as it slides over the curve of my cheek and comes to rest on my lips.
They part with longing as I force myself to remain rooted in place.
He steps closer, entering my personal space.
He pauses less than two inches from my nose.
I close my eyes as his breath washes over my face.
I stifle a moan and I open my eyes to find him gauging my reaction.
I want to reach up and touch him, to feel his pulse against the palm of my hand as I cup his neck, pull him close and lean up into the kiss that I’m yearning for.
The spell is broken when he retreats a few steps. He shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away toward the woods.
“If it’ll help, then I’m in.”
I shiver against the cold void left in his absence.
“Thank you,” I whisper as he turns and marches toward camp at a fast clip, almost as if he is running away from me.
I don’t blame him.
Kyan waves us over as Bastien breaks through the tree line first.
I follow, but make no effort to catch up.
Eamon’s jaw locks down when he sees the flush that rises along my neck.
I shrink into my jacket, scolding myself for not holding it together better.
“I think it might be easier for everyone if you sit this one out, Eamon,” Kyan kindly suggests, tugging him in the opposite direction.
Eamon pulls away and faces off toe-to-toe with Bastien.
“I’ll be watching you.”
He turns and envelopes me in a bear hug, his arms clenched tightly around my neck as he buries his face in my hair.
He kisses my forehead and then smirks at Bastien over my shoulder.
Apart from the slight curl of his lip, Bastien betrays none of the rage I can sense simmering just under the surface.
I blow out a breath as Eamon stalks off.
He heads for our cabin and slams the door behind him.
“I’m not sure this a good idea, Kyan.”
“You’re committed now,” he says, looking between Bastien and me.
It’s hard to tell if he’s following my neurotic feelings, Bastien’s tight lipped emotions or Eamon’s explosive frustration.
“So what now?” Bastien asks.
“You stand there.
Illyria will do the rest.”
Kyan pulls me a few feet away.
“Close your eyes, control your breathing and focus on Bastien.
Only him.”
When I approach Bastien, I know I won’t be able to concentrate with him peering down at me; I go around to his back and position myself to face the woods.
Just knowing he is right behind me is enough to make my pulse pound in my ears.
I close my eyes and try to push the world away.
Nothing happens.
“I knew it wouldn’t work,” I mutter under my breath.
“Try creating a picture of Bastien in your mind,” Kyan suggests.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I think about him, but all I can conjure up are his purple-ringed eyes, sallow cheeks and the dull, haunted eyes that refuse to look at me.
“It’s no use.”
I throw up my hands, angry that I’ve failed again.
“Don’t worry.
We can try again…” Kyan’s voice fades away.
I turn and watch as an intrigued smile parts his lips.
“That’s not a bad idea, but are you comfortable with that?”
“What’s going on?” I ask warily.
Neither look at me as they keep their conversation private.
Bastien turns and locks his gaze on me.
I stiffen as he approaches, easily pushing my boundaries for the second time today.
“What are you doing?”
“Making you uncomfortable.”
I have to widen my stance as he places his foot in between mine.
He leans in so close, I’m sure he can feel the trembling of my lips.
“You feel it, don’t you?”
“Please stop,” I whisper, darting a glance at Kyan, who is trying his best to hide a grin.
“It’s embarrassing.”
“No can do, Princess.
This is why I’m here.”
“Close your eyes and try again,” Kyan commands.
I shoot a poisonous glare at him before he turns away.
I grit my teeth and close my eyes before facing Bastien again.
I know this is a waste of time.
It’s impossible to concentrate when I can practically feel his chest pressed against mine.
“You’re trying too hard,” Kyan calls from behind me.
“Maybe you should open your eyes,” Bastien whispers.
I peek up at him and am hit by the full intensity of his nearness.
It’s not just his proximity, but the look in his eyes, his unrepentant need.
I have always known he wanted me, but this is the first time he has allowed his lust to consume him.
He presses his thigh against mine, leaning in to let his breath wash over my neck.
My skin tingles, betraying me.
I waver, fighting for each breath as his hands encircle my waist, pulling me against the length of his body.
Sweat beads along my brow as I roll my neck, allowing him access to my delicate skin.
He lifts his hands and pulls my hair back.
The feel of his skin against mine makes me moan with desire.
Kyan fades out completely.
There is only us.
“Breathe, Illyria,” Bastien whispers in my ear.
His sultry voice smashes through my flimsy resolve.
Passion, raw and untamed, flows through my body as I wrap my leg around Bastien, pressing intimately against him.
Bastien lowers his head and presses his lips to my neck, sending me into a tailspin of hormones. His lips trace a slow line toward my jaw, tender and achingly controlled.
I want him to let go, to break through the bond that restrains him.
I long for it as I ache for his touch.
My hands splay across his back, begging him to continue.
“Whoa!” Bastien cries out and backs away, staring down at my body.
I stumble, irritated with his sudden rejection.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well…technically I’m not.
Look down.”
I suck in a breath at the stunning smile that chases away the dullness in his eyes.
His pride pours off him and bowls me over.
It’s hard to break my stare as I catch a glimpse of the boy I fell in love with.
When I look down, my vision spins as I try to comprehend the complete lack of me.
No torso, arms or legs.
“I’m invisible?”
I squeal with delight and leap into Bastien’s arms.
He stumbles back, trying to compensate for my sudden weight.
His arms tighten around my legs and back, easily holding my weight.
“Warn me next time, will ya?”