A cold shiver ran down her spine. She pitied whatever fate had befallen the one he’d chosen. “I’ve already paved her way with my coven, and it’s her choice to join us, or someone else.” It was the truth, she saw no point in hiding it. He’d know as much, but she sensed so much more behind his supposed interest. “Are you bored, Fox?”
“A little.” He shrugged. “I miss this place when I’m away. I’ve traveled far and wide and there is no place like this, no bay so filled with teeming energy, extremes both foreboding and inviting. And you, Celeste. I miss you.”
Ignore it, she ordered herself. It was bait, nothing more. “Why do you wander, if Raven’s Landing calls on you?”
“I won’t sacrifice myself the way you have. I simply take what I need.” He stepped away from her, pacing. “Raven’s Landing has drawn some of the most powerful witches of all time. Why do you think that is?” Amusement flickered over his expression.
This was all a game to him. “There you go claiming reasonability again,” she responded, amused by his remark. “You may be Viscount, but you don’t rule my coven.”
He drew to a halt, contemplating her.
“You’ll feel my power soon enough, you’ll be tempted by what I have to offer.” He bent close to her neck, and she felt his mouth whisper across her skin, a ghostly touch that made static cling to her skin.
Curiosity had her firmly in its grip. Beware his magic, she silently chanted.
“Just look at the stars,” he whispered close against her ear. “See how bright they are, now we’re united.”
“We’re hardly united. We’re merely sharing old times.” The denial slipped away like words in the wind, because the stars did seem brighter, and the distant sound of the waves grew louder. Her blood raced, her pulse tripping.
His hands moved to her waist. “The stars grow brighter because my hands are on you.”
It was true. The night sky seemed to explode before her. “A cl
ever trick, nothing more.”
One corner of his mouth lifted, humor and desire lighting his expression. His hand moved, sliding briefly down her throat. “You were the best apprentice I ever had.”
“I know.” Her head dropped back to take his kiss.
His mouth was firm and persuasive, and when she melted and moved against him, he demanded more—thrusting his tongue between her parting lips, slowly moving in and out. The action was both seductive and filled with promise.
Resist. She drew back, breaking his spell. “What do you really want, Fox?”
“You.”
“I’m not a fool.” She shook her head. “I’m only indulging you for old times’ sake.”
“You tell yourself that, my dear. We both know what’s really going on here.”
“You just like a challenge.”
“We’re getting old, Celeste. Humor me, please. Allow me to hold you in my arms the way I used to.”
Her urge to resist faltered. She could slide it back in place easily enough, but she didn’t want to, not just yet.
She saw the power and the desire in him, and it called to her. Instantly, she felt the tug of his power within her, a pulsing sensation meshing them together in this moment. Oh, how seductive he was, how hard to resist. Her heart pounded wildly. There was such a thrill in toying with him as he toyed with her, but it was a dangerous game, and she knew it.
“Ride the night sky with me, Celeste, experience just a taste of what we could achieve together.”
Afraid she couldn’t reel it back if she let it go any further, she pulled away. “I will never be what you want.”
“No,” he replied grimly, and his sinister smile made fear grow in her heart. Bitterness swelled in him. His eyes flashed silver in the darkness.
“I think I’ve had enough reminiscing,” she firmly stated. That path was treacherous, and no matter how much pretty coating he put on his candy, she would never open to him the way he wanted her to.
“In that case, run away to your tinkering magic, your matchmaking.”
There was an accusation in his tone. Was he insinuating something? It struck her again it was Sunny he was really interested in.