His hand slides up my back; a shiver of desire runs through me. “About beating as challenging. My subjects complain, but no one pushes me to be better. You did that, even when you hated me.” He smiles. “Especially when you hated me.” His fingers weave through the hair at the base of my neck. “Does that make sense?”
I meet his mismatched eyes and realize yes, I know exactly what he means. I’ve spent my life hoping the way my world runs would be tolerated, not looking for someone to race me. Who knew anyone like Lincoln was possible? I want to say all this, but my throat tightens. I only manage five words: “Yes, it does. Very much.”
His eyes almost glow with intensity. “I like this. Feeling like I have a peer, a partner.” He cups my face in his hands. “I like you, Myla.” My knees turn watery beneath me. I like you, too.
He pulls my mouth onto his and damn, it feels good. His lips are soft and the touch of his tongue along mine is electric. My heart starts thudding like crazy. I grip his t-shirt and ball the fabric in my fists. Our kiss deepens. Off on the horizon, a bolt of lightning strikes the earth, followed by a low roll of thunder. The flash of light snaps us out of the moment. We step apart.
I shake my head. “That’s weird. It’s not supposed to storm tonight.”
“Prince Lincoln!” The voices outside grow louder.
Lincoln sighs. “We better go.”
We leave the greenhouse, remount our horses and ride back to the thrax compound. All around, voices call for Prince Lincoln. More torches flash in the darkness. Lincoln rides up beside me and grabs Nightshade’s reins. “Your cottage is past those trees. You should go; I’ll take care of Night.”
I give Lincoln a silent thumbs-up and tiptoe to my cottage door. The room is cozy, warm, and inviting. I change into my new nightie, slip under the covers, and quickly fall asleep, smiling my face off the entire time.
***
I awaken the next morning to the sound of Mom’s voice. She’s not happy, which means one thing: I’m in trouble.
“Myla.” Mom taps my shoulder. “Come on, wake up.”
I open my eyes, looking as innocent as possible. “Good morning, Mom.”
Her mouth thins to an angry line. “What happened yesterday?”
She’s getting right down to business. Correction: I’m in deep trouble.
“Nothing. I just sat in here, minding my own business.” I force myself to cough. Twice. “Recovering. Why?”
“Reperio demons were released at the Scala winter feast last night. The same ones that went missing from your school yesterday. It caused quite a ruckus.”
“A ruckus, huh? They should have better security.” I do my best to shiver. “I heard the screaming around dinnertime. It was so frightening; I stayed in here and did homework.”
Mom’s brown eyes narrow. “I see. What kind of homework?”
“Very important…Homework.” I’m not exactly a wiz thinking on my feet, unless it involves killing something.
“Humph. The Ryders reported that someone broke into their botanical gardens last night too.”
“No way. That’s shocking!”
“You’re a terrible liar, Myla.”
I shoot her a grin and maybe it’s a bit too cocky. “Hey, I have my story and I’m sticking to it.”
“We’re going home. Now.”
My smile fades. I guess I knew it would end this way all along, but it’s still a bummer to leave early.
Mom grabs my little pile of things and walks out of the cottage. I slip into my sweats and follow her outside. Everyone’s awake and peeping their heads outside their windows or fancy tent-flaps. Lincoln stands in front of his cottage, leaning against the doorjamb. He wears a fitted white t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. My hands itch to touch his chest. Now.
Mom marches over to Betsy and revs her engine. I follow her to the car, feeling Lincoln’s eyes on me. I shoot him a glance as I slide into the front seat. He winks; I blush. Damn, yesterday was a lot of fun.
We drive past a long line of cottages. The Great Ladies stand outside them, each one wearing a long nightgown in her house’s color. If looks were needles, I’d be a pincushion right now.
I’m going home a day early, but that was worth it. Absolutely.
Mom taps the steering wheel with her nails. “If you’re well enough to cause trouble, you’re well enough to learn. I’m dropping you off at school.”
I open my mouth, ready to explain why I need to spend the afternoon recovering and watching TV. “Well, I…You have to understand, it…”
Mom purses her lips. “I can’t want to hear this.”
“You know what?” I lean back in my seat. “I’ve got nothing. Drop me off at school.”
Mom cracks the tiniest smile. “They shouldn’t have demons in a classroom anyway.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to go to school?”
“Nice try.”
I hit school sometime after lunch. Cissy spots me the second my sneakers hit the hallway. “It’s good to see you feeling better, sweetie.” She plants a quick kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks, Cissy.”