Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
All I can do is pray.
“It’s not your fault.” Sabelle strokes my shoulder.
I blink. “H-how did you know?”
“That you feel responsible? It’s all over your face, I fear. But I can read your thoughts. Sorry. I should have given you fair warning. But you might like to know that I’ve delved into your friend’s mind. She’s worried about you.”
My tears start flowing in earnest. Only a friend like Aquarius would be so near death and still worry about someone else.
“I feel so bloody helpless. Aquarius would at least have some healing crystal, sacred chant, or herbal tea. All I’ve got is my hand.”
“And the power of your friendship. She feels it.”
Sabelle soothes me. Even if I think the gorgeous blonde is full of rubbish, I appreciate the kind lie. Perhaps she isn’t so bad after all—as long as she keeps her hands off Caden.
“He’s all yours, I promise.” She winks.
I hiccup, a little smile appearing between my tears. “You’re not intimidated by me, surely?”
“Caden and Bram both said you’re tough, but no. My attentions are…engaged elsewhere.”
“Anything I can do?” a voice growls from the door.
I turn, as does Sabelle. Ice stands in the portal. His behemoth shoulders bulge from a black tank. An expressive mouth and the dark stubble dusting his otherwise sleek head, along with the faded fatigues, make him an intimidating figure. The desperate hunger in his expression, directed purely at Sabelle, blasts the room like a heat wave.
The blonde blushes and sends Ice a nervous smile. “Actually, you might be able to help.”
He frowns as he glances at Aquarius. “You sure? Don’t know sod all about what’s ailing her, do I?”
“Zain cooked her from the inside out,” I blurt.
“I’m clueless as a lamb about being a healer.” His craggy face gentles with apology.
Sabelle edges around me and approaches him, drawing in a bracing breath. “Your nickname, does it imply ability? Maybe…”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Olivia says as she edges into the room.
At his scowl, Sabelle steps back.
My thoughts race. Is she asking if Ice has some ability to cool down Aquarius’s insides?
He swallows, then nods. “But I’m proper stumped about how to help her. Sorry.”
Ice turns away.
He’s giving up, just like that? Aquarius may not mean a bloody thing to him, but my friend means loads to me.
I chase him down, anger fueling my righteous tongue.
Before I can lash him with it, Sabelle pulls me back with a shake of her head and shuttles me to Aquarius’s bedside. Then she wraps her delicate hand around Ice’s huge biceps and blinks up at him with wide, beseeching eyes. “Please.”
Renewed hunger storms his face. Well, well. The wizard wants her. Badly. He’s tearing off his polite mask and showing her burning lust. Why?
Sabelle grips him tighter, despite the fact she seems a bit flummoxed. Still, she holds her ground for Aquarius’s sake, a human she doesn’t know.
Initial impressions be damned. Sabelle just earned herself a new friend.
Ice huffs. “I’ll try. No promises, mind you. But I’ll need a conduit. I can create objects made of ice, but transferring that to something living is beyond me, innit.”
“I can do it,” Sabelle assures.
“How?”
“Well, I’m part siren. I can influence people’s feelings with a touch. If you can pass the sensation to me…”
Part siren? There’s such a thing? And she can change other’s feelings? Wow, if Aquarius pulls through, the material I’ll have for my next article will positively dazzle Holly and the rest of my readers.
Ice retreats. “Your brother will object.”
“Bram can’t always have his way.”
He clenches his jaw. “To use you as a conduit, Sabelle, I’ll bloody have to touch you.”
Chapter
Forty
Sabelle draws in a shaky breath, clearly nervous. And excited. She stares at Ice as if he’s the forbidden fruit. “Touch me how?”
Desire leaps in his gaze again. “As much as you’ll let me. The more contact, the more successful this will likely be.”
The witch pauses.
“Afraid my madness is contagious, princess?” Ice challenges with a wickedly arched brow.
“Don’t be daft.” Sabelle snaps, but her frown betrays her. She worries her bottom lip, a gesture so sensual it’s almost obscene.
The air between them crackles with unspoken desire. I don’t think it’s Ice’s intimidating presence that has Sabelle hesitating, but the incendiary pull threatening to devour them both.
“I’ll do it.” Her voice breaks, a tremor of anticipation more than fear.
He blows out a breath. “All right, then. Relax and trust me. You can’t be afraid, no matter what.”
“Of course,” Sabelle murmurs.
But I suspect that Ice’s request is easier said than done. Either way, they need to hurry before Aquarius’s clock strikes midnight.
Ice’s reply is a low, spine-shivering rumble. “Place your hands on her. Focus. And no matter what…don’t break contact with me.”
The witch takes her position, poised over Aquarius. She inhales sharply, as if steeling herself for what’s to come.
Ice prowls behind her, his presence a wall of heat. His breath caresses her ear as he murmurs, “Ready?”