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He’d given me a heading, and now the demon knew exactly how to drown me.

Chapter 37

Épris

YVES

Iwould never, ever forget the way Cora’s lips tasted when they met mine for the first time. And as much as I wanted to linger in the moment, time was not on our side, and it was foolish to remain in a place claimed by The Devouring.

Once we retreated from the cemetery and both Della and I were satisfied that Cora was alright, I untied the black ribbon at my wrist and fastened it around one of Della’s legs. Adrien would recognize it, and both he and Severin would know we were moving on to step two of our plan.

I stroked her feathers. “Stay with him until we return.”

Della nipped my knuckle before launching herself into the night. I followed her silhouette as she soared above the chapel tower.

Cora watched her fly away until there was nothing left to see. “That bird really likes you.”

I rubbed at the finger she nipped. “She has an unusual way of showing it.”

She shot me a look over her shoulder and said, “So do I.” Then she opened the carriage door and climbed inside.

I stared after her with a mix of amusement and awe. Her hair had come loose around her face, and her eyeliner was smudged on one side. She had been through an ordeal I couldn’t understand behind the privacy ward, and yet she still managed a joke. It was something that fascinated me about her. The way she always kept me guessing.

But there was more I was questioning. I had no good answer for why there was seawater on the floor of the mausoleum when the ward dropped, nor why her mouth tasted of salt.

I had enough sense to know now wasn’t the time to pursue the answer. That kiss told me everything about how vulnerable she was. And if I’d learned anything about Cora Kemp, it was that it did no good to press her when she was vulnerable, or she’d retreat right back into her shell, and I’d lose whatever ground I’d gained with her tonight.

I removed the cloak I’d worn over my clothing and followed her into the carriage and shut the door.

“On to the gardens?” she said.

“Yes,” I replied. “But first, you need to change.”

I opened the trunk and removed the red gown I’d packed for her. The neckline was lower than what she had worn to the cemetery, and tiny black glass beads detailed the bodice like stars.

“Did you choose this?” she asked, taking the dress from me and admiring it.

“I did.”

“Why?”

Because the moment I saw it, I had imagined the silk against her skin. Because some selfish part of me had wanted to choose something beautiful for her just to watch every jaw in the garden drop. Then to stand beside her in it and telegraph to every wagging tongue that she was mine.

I cleared my throat. “I saw it and thought of you.”

She ran her hand over the fine material. “Why does every piece of clothing you order for me require assistance?” she asked. “It’s so impractical.”

I shrugged. “Perhaps that is why I selected it. Because you would need help getting into it.” My gaze dropped briefly to the laces crossing the front of her black bodice. “And out of it.”

The admission settled between us.

Before she’d kissed me, I might have disguised it as a joke. Offered her an easy smile that allowed us both to pretend I had not pictured my hands all over her.

I did not want to pretend anymore.

Cora’s heartbeat picked up and heat pushed into her cheeks. I didn’t waste any time. I lowered onto my knees before her. Cora stared down at me, all traces of humor gone.

My hands hovered over the laces. “May I?”