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Malcolm nodded, then glanced down at his shoulder. Surprise flashed through him, then a grin tugged at his lips.
11
Sofia stared at Malcolm’s shoulder, bewildered. His tattoo was… glorious. A winged woman, powerful and beautiful, decorated his skin.
That wasn’t her.
Malcolm tugged on his shirt and her trance broke.
“Thank you, Corrier,” Malcolm said.
“Of course. You were two of my favorite students.” His gaze met Sofia’s. “And I understand why you left the apprenticeship. It’s not for everyone. The cost can be too high.”
She nodded gratefully, her eyes pricking. She really had hated to leave her studies.
They said their goodbyes and Malcolm aetherwalked them back to his library.
She stepped back, then met his gaze. Unable to stop herself, she said, “That tattoo wasn’t me.”
“It represents how I see you.”
Oh. She blinked. Her heart started to pound.
Holy hell, she was in trouble. It was now clear: the good parts of him that she’d once fallen for were still there—they were just covered up by the jerky shell that loneliness had created. And even that shell was cracking.
He’d agreed to share his power with her. She hadn’t thought it possible for him to make such a sacrifice.
Fates, how she wanted to be close to him. To pretend that time and choices hadn’t torn them apart. But she was so close to falling for him again, and that was so damned dangerous. She couldn’t have her heart broken a second time. And he would break it. Unless…
“Give up being a warlock,” she said, desperation clear in her voice. “Take it back.”
“I can’t.” He gripped her shoulders, his gaze pained. “It’s who I am. And it’s not possible, anyway.”
Not true,part of her whispered. There had to be a way.
But it was clear in his firm gaze…he wouldn’t pursue it. This was why he was the cloaked man in her tattoo, she realized. When Corrier had asked her to picture Malcolm, she’d just received a feeling. He was inaccessible to her. Reserved.
It made her heart ache. But perhaps it was a good thing. As long as she knew he never intended to try, she wouldn’t fall for him. Right? That would just be stupid. And she still hadn’t forgiven him for what he’d done.
“I’m sorry, Sofia. I can’t do that.” His gaze met hers, devouring. “But I can make this work between us.”
She shook her head, her heart sinking. “You really can’t.”
After seeing what had happened to Laira… There was no guarantee that the same wouldn’t happen to her— if they fell back in love with one another,somethingwould tear themapart. One of them might die or become imprisoned or they’d grow to hate each other.
“Let me try.” His gaze was so intense, his desire so strong, that she could almost feel it. “Just stay the night with me. We’ll only sleep. But I want to be near you. Now. Forever.”
It was such a bad idea, but she couldn’t help herself.For nowcouldn’t be so bad, could it? Forever was out of the questions. But just one night?
“No sex.” It was too dangerous. It’d make her fall for him even faster. “Just sleeping. And just tonight.”
A heart-stopping grin took over his face and he swept her up in his arms. She gasped, then clung to him, her heart pounding. A second later, they stood in his bedroom. They’d aetherwalked.
“I couldn’t wait,” he said.
“Hang on.” She drew her wand from the aether and turned her day clothes into sleep shorts and a shirt.
“Gods, you look so good,” he said.
