Page 78 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“Nyx had the bartender mix a truth serum into my drink. He cornered me on the dance floor, interrogating me,” I admit, surprised at my own candor. The potion’s effects linger.

“Do you want me to handle him?” Colton asks, dead serious.

I laugh. “No, he’s already tortured enough. Let him be.”

Colton chuckles, “He seemed anything but tortured when I left.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“See for yourself,” he says, guiding me to glance through the door’s window. Nyx is dancing, surrounded by three women, looking far from despondent.

“And Drew?” I ask.

“She left earlier with one of those smoke dancers,” he replies with a knowing smirk.

“Can we go? Anywhere but here?” I request.

“It would be my pleasure, little enchantress,” he responds, pulling me close. He grips my hair gently, tilting my head back. Our lips meet, and as his tongue ventures deeper, a gust of citrus wind swirls around us, and we channel.

Chapter 28

Colton

Irelish the sensation of her lips against mine as I channel us to the perfect spot. Knowing my shadow as I do, I’m confident she’ll be enchanted here. The instant our feet make contact with the ground, I gently release her hair, giving her the space to immerse herself in our surroundings. We stand amidst the Nocturne Willow grove, a hidden treasure of the Black Forest.

Her face lights up with genuine wonder, and I can’t help but watch her intently. Towering above us, the trees mirror the traditional weeping willows, yet they’re distinguished by their unique attributes. Their elongated branches sway with the night wind. What makes these trees special are their shimmering black leaves. Each leaf glistens, reminiscent of stardust, and under the moon’s silvery touch they appear as cascading waterfalls of twinkling stars against the night.

Her delight is undeniable as she turns slowly, her head tilted upward, absorbing the magical display above. “I’ve never seen anything so mesmerizing,” she confesses, her voice imbued with awe. I hold back for a moment, allowing her the pleasure of this first encounter, appreciating how the night air seems to invigorate her spirit. The more she’s bathed in the moonlight and shadows, the more her essence seems to resonate, as if the darkness within her finds its kinship in the night.

Thoughts of Nyx’s deception earlier in the evening fleetingly cross my mind. I should have known the bastard would try something sneaky, but to tamper with her drink… When he approached her on the dance floor, I chalked it up to mere longing. I can’t fault him for that. I long to be close to her too. But now I don’t care what he’s doing, because right now it’s just her, this grove, and me.

A yearning surges within me, an urge to pull her close, to brand her as my own. I want the world, especially Nyx, to recognize the bond that has formed between us. Yet I sense the turbulence within her, the mix of emotions and questions vying for space in her heart and mind. I must be patient, allowing her the time and freedom to come to terms with her feelings and to approach me when she’s ready. The weight of the prophecy looms, and I have to resist the urge to share the entire truth with her. The ramifications of that revelation keep me silent.

The lie casts a shadow between us, a wedge that I fear might split us apart. I cannot— I will not hurt her the same way Nyx did. I will not keep the truth from her for much longer. I have to make it known before we get too much further down this rabbit hole.

Her delicate hand wraps around mine, guiding me deeper into the heart of the grove. “Aren’t you concerned? This forest has a reputation for danger,” she teases, her voice a playful lilt. I can’t help but chuckle, glancing at her.

“I have a feeling you’re more than capable of facing anything this forest has to offer.” My belief in her is unwavering. Her lips curl into a playful smile, and for a brief moment her eyes sparkle — a blend of cerulean and emerald, against the forest’s inky backdrop.

“Besides,” she says with a hint of teasing, “I have you by my side to protect me.” My gaze fixates on those pouty lips, an irresistible pull drawing me closer, yearning to claim them with my own.

“Do you believe that truth cocktail is still in effect?” I inquire, moving a step closer.

She smirks, mischief lighting up her eyes. “Yes, I think so… Why not test it out? Ask me something.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the questions I might pose?” I murmur, sliding a hand through her silky tresses, allowing my fingers to linger on her cheek.

She takes a breath, the playful facade fading slightly. “When I’m with you, I don’t feel afraid of anything.” By the way her eyes widen, I sense that wasn’t what she’d intended to say. The truth cocktail’s influence, no doubt.

The temptation to dive deep, to ask all of the questions simmering in my mind, is overwhelming. Yet I want the answers to come from genuine emotions, not the lingering effects of a drink, so I refrain from asking anything too deep.

“What do you desire at this very moment?” I ask, bending down to press a chaste kiss on her forehead, savoring the unique scent of her hair.

Her heartbeat accelerates, and I can feel my dick harden at the way her body responds to me.

“I want your touch,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cupping her face gently, I tilt her head, ensuring her eyes lock with mine. “Tell me, my shadow, where exactly do you crave my touch?” My voice drops, laden with intensity and promise.