Page 139 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

And though common sense tells me I should grasp the opportunity he’s giving me and walk out of this room before things go even further, not a single part of me wants to.

“I don’t want to stop,” I blurt.

My confession hangs in the air between us.

The muscle in his jaw flickers. “You don’t know what you want.”

I suck in a breath. “What⁠—”

“This,” he interrupts, finally meeting my gaze as he gestures between us, “this need you’re feeling? It’s because you’re part Fae. I should have realized it long before now.”

The words are a bucket of ice water poured over the heat coiled in my veins.

Not enough to extinguish it completely, but enough to make me ache with awareness.

“What…” I pause to swallow the lump in my throat. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s an instinct.” His expression hardens. “A natural inclination to mate with the most powerful male in your vicinity. I imagine being in Virendrell, around so many Fae, has triggered the impulse.”

My cheeks burn hot. “That’s…”

Mortifying.

For more reasons than one.

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the desire coursing through my veins to subside.

Seconds pass.

My skin tingles under Rian’s scrutiny, but I don’t open my eyes.

I let him look. I tell myself to breathe.

Could the pull to Rian really be so simply explained?

It would make sense, I suppose.

Fae are powerful creatures. Of course their biological urges would encourage them to pursue relations with powerful partners. Humans aren't so different.

Men in Verdanthia were drawn to women for companionship while women often vied for those who could provide for them.

Lev was considered the most eligible bachelor in town. With his father in charge, I bet that’s even more true now.

I wait for the heartache to hit me at the thought of my former lover with someone else.

It stings, but it isn’t sharp. Isn’t consuming.

I have bigger problems to deal with.

Like the fact that I’m not entirely human.

I exhale and finally open my eyes.

Rian’s head whips to the side, back to staring at something in the corner of the room.

A faint flush stains his cheeks. His hair is disheveled. The silver in his eyes has dimmed, darkening back to black.

I clear my throat. “Is it the same for males?”