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“Who said I wasn’t aware?” I bit back at him. “I never said I was perfect, but then again, I don’t believe we were talking about me. I was merely explaining to you why Merlin is a crapshoot. You may think he’s reliable, but I know better. It’s entirely possible we make it back from this little jaunt and find him none the wiser.” “I’d say he does the best he can,” Knight continued to argue. I pulled up short, hands going to my hips as I glared at him. “Not long after Merlin made me his apprentice, he took me with him into the depths of the Shadow Lands—the place grown men fear to go. I was thirteen. He needed to negotiate with a Nuckalavee for something, so he left me outside the creature’s cave to wait until he had finished. As if taking me to the doorstep of one of the most dangerous Shadow Fae alive wasn’t enough, he left me alone. I was attacked by a group of Draugs and thought I was going to die. Any adult in their right mind would have known not to take a child on such an errand, but not Merlin. Was abandoning me in the Shadow Lands the very best he could do? Would it have been so difficult to find a proper caretaker for me while he went on his trip? Was the trip so crucial that he had to go at all? I’ll agree his mind doesn’t work the same as everyone else’s, but I don’t think that gives him a free pass. You and all the others think he’s a saint. I, on the other hand, am painfully aware of his imperfections.” My words were a harsh lashing, even surprising me at their fervor.
Knight never flinched or looked away as I said my peace. When I finished, he continued to stare in a way that made me feel like he could see down into the darkest parts of my soul. I hated his scrutiny. He was the same as all the others—they saw what they wanted to see —Morgan Le Fay, the woman with a blackened heart, evil to her core. I jerked my eyes away and brushed past him to where I could see the wall just up ahead. Walking to the stone structure, I placed my hand against the porous gray stone. It retained a chill from the night air that seeped into my fingers like the cold touch of death. “How will we get past the ward?” I asked Knight, never taking my eyes from the wall. He had come to stand directly behind me, and I could feel the buzz of energy in the air between us. “Merlin gave me the power to pass through wards and even walls.” His voice was a deep rumble, heavy with emotion. Unable to resist the lure, I glanced over my shoulder to see if I could discern his thoughts. His golden eyes had darkened to a deep amber, but his face was otherwise inscrutable. “That’s great for you,”—I cleared my throat and let my gaze fall to the ground—“but what about me?” “I’m not sure,” he replied thoughtfully. My head shot back up. “Not sure? You said you could do it, ‘not a problem.’ Now, you’re not sure?” Knight’s lips quirked up at the corners. He was amused by my outrage —almost as if he had intentionally riled me up just to see my reaction. My eyes narrowed to small slits, and I imagined rearranging his expression with my fist. Not that my animosity bothered him one bit. He glanced up and down the wall like a contractor eyeballing a new job, ignoring my presence entirely. “I figure we’ll just have to trick the ward into thinking you’re me.” “That’s it. That’s your master plan?” I deadpanned. He smiled wide, and his eyelids dropped to half-mast in a sleepy bedroom look. “It would be easier if my magic was fully charged.” s*x. He was suggesting we have s*x to charge his magic. On a normal day, I wouldn’t have batted an eye at the suggestion. When you grow up in a world where s*x is a necessary, common part of Fae life, it holds none of the taboo as it did on Earth. If he needed his magic charged, we would have s*x, and he would feed off the energy from my release—not a problem. However, this situation was different. “I’m sure charging your magic would make things easier for us.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. “It would also be easier if I didn’t have these iron cuffs on my wrists.” If I didn’t get to use my magic, he certainly wasn’t getting to charge his. Not even remotely fazed, he took a step forward, bringing us inches apart. “I told you that’s not happening,” he said in a sultry rumble. He was attempting to assert his control over the situation, but the rasp in his voice made it clear I still held a certain degree of power over him. I leaned up to counter him. “Then I guess you’ll just have to make do.” As close as I was, his warm, earthy scent surrounded me. It flipped the switch on my arousal, and I could feel moisture flood my panties. s**t. There went any power I had. Knight’s nostrils flared, and his golden eyes dilated until only a small ring of color surrounded his wide pupils. “Was it the arguing that got you or simply being near me?” he asked in a husky voice. “Neither. I’m the outdoorsy type. Being out in all these trees revs my engine.” Way to recover, Morgan. He’d buy that one, no problem. I mentally slapped myself on the forehead. “Outdoorsy … right. Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Eyes still dilated, his lips pulled back in a wolfish grin. “Now, take my hand.” With a shaky breath, I attempted to dowse my raging hormones. Get a f*****g grip. This man is not on the table. He’s the enemy.
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