Shimmering Chaos (Enchanted Chaos 2)

He gives a dismissive shrug. “It’s just a little bruise. Brody ended up way worse. He’s lucky I was smart enough to control most of my powers or his ass might have been fried.”

I place my hand on his cheek, and light skims across my fingers and along the bruise. “Why’s your skin so cold?”

He lifts the hand he’d been holding against his cheek and lines his palm against the side of my neck. I flinch as a chill bites my flesh and let out a squeal.

“I used my ice power to make an ice pack.” He withdraws his hand with a trace of a grin on his face.

Remembering the goal I made to myself earlier, I ask, “Can you show me how to do that?”

“Sure.” He sets his hand on top of mine, trapping my palm against his cheek. “Just think about coldness seeping through your veins and channel it toward your hand. It also helps to visualize it.”

I do what he says, and only a handful of seconds later, my hand is as cold as an ice pack.

He smiles. “You catch on to everything so easily. It makes me wonder how powerful you’re going to be.”

His compliment makes me blush, but weirdly, it doesn’t make the ice in my hand melt.

“Don’t be embarrassed about being powerful. It’s a good thing.”

“I’m not embarrassed about that. It’s just …” Stupid flushing cheeks. “I just don’t do well with compliments … I’m not used to them.”

?

?I have no idea how that’s possible.” His gaze searches my face. Then he steps forward, backing me up against the counter. “You’re so gorgeous, smart, powerful, funny, and brave. How has no one ever told you that?”

“Because I’m not any of those things, and I’m definitely not brave. I mean, I cried when I was in the darkness room, for hell’s sake. That’s not bravery.”

He looks at me solemnly. “That room is made for experienced elemental protectors who’ve had years and years of practice fighting against evil. The fact that you made it out of there and are standing here talking to me, completely sane, proves how brave and powerful you are.”

“Maybe I’m not sane right now,” I quip, trying to lighten the mood before my powers start to surface.

His expression is serious as he rests a hand on my hip. “You’re impressive. That’s what you are.”

His gaze zeroes in on my lips. I remain motionless, more conflicted than I was earlier when he tried to kiss me. I’m not even sure why, or what I want. Maybe it’s the stress of the day. Or maybe it’s because the more time we spend together, the more connected and at ease I feel with him.

But, do I really want him to kiss me? Does he really want to kiss me? Especially after everything that happened? After Brody just forced a kiss on me?

His lips never touch mine, though. Instead, he rests his forehead against mine. He doesn’t say anything, just breathes in and out with his hands on my hips. I think I might like him a bit in this moment, for not trying to kiss me when I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.

As we settle into silence, his power currents into me, warm and calming, and I’m pretty sure some of mine whisks into him.

While I’ve never actually, really kissed anyone, I wonder if it’s overrated, because there’s no way it could feel better than this … than our powers and this … calm he’s putting inside me.

“You feel so good,” he whispers, his breath tickling my cheeks. “Like everything and nothing at the same time.”

I understand what he means. While his touch and power bring a calmness to me, it also pours the most wonderful energy inside me.

“Sky,” he whispers. “When I felt how scared you were when you were put in that room … and I couldn’t find you … I just … Dammit.” He tenses.

My eyes pop open—I hadn’t even been aware I closed them—as he pushes away from me and glares at something over my shoulder.

When I twist around, Easton is leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a weird, uneasy look on his face.

“I hate to break up this little moment—and yes, that’s sarcasm—because good gods, you two need to fuck before the rest of us spontaneously combust from your sexual tension.” He grins but it looks a bit forced.

I wonder why? If it has something to do with my powers altering the link? Is it making him feel uneasy inside?

Blinking a few times, Easton focuses on Foster. “Mom’s about to send a message through a secured magical signal and wants you guys to be present for it.”