Page 49 of The Witch in the Dead of Night

“However, you are a deeply empathetic person. I’m not sure even a king’s encouragement would be enough to sway you. Niamh will forgive you, but perhaps she just needs time.”

I sighed. “Perhaps.”

“In the meantime, I propose we explore an alternative to help further your training. One that I feel would be guilt-free.”

“Oh?”

“Practice on me.”

My lips parted in disbelief. “Really?”

He nodded. “Enhart’s not exactly the trusting sort, which is why he will refuse to lower his wards until you can break through them yourself. My mind, on the other hand, is open to you.”

My breath caught in my throat. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he said. “I consider it a duty to the realm to help you, and I am happy to do it.”

“Thank you.”

He brushed his thumb along the length of my jaw, coaxing a quiet gasp from between my lips. “Go ahead.”

I took his hands in mine, our heads bowed toward each other. I shut out the crackling fire, the shuffling of steel-clad boots in the corridors outside. With Enhart’s instructions ringing in my ears, I reached my will out to Mordric’s. His mind was not nearly as easy to penetrate as the valet’s, but after a few tries, I was able to worm my way in just the same. My skin rippled into gooseflesh as I explored.

Can you hear me? came a voice. His voice.

Yes, I replied.

Very good.

Your mind is different from the human’s, I observed. It’s like a maze.

Well I couldn’t let all my wards down. What fun would that be?

I grinned.

How does it feel?

Strange, but also somehow familiar.

I suppose that makes sense. Now, I’m sure Enhart plans to instruct you in the art of prying through someone’s thoughts and memories, but I wondered if I might show you something instead.

I blinked my eyes open. A sly grin played on his lips. Okay, I agreed.

He brushed his fingertips over my eyelids, beckoning me to close them again. The walls in his mind parted like curtains to reveal— I inhaled sharply. The sensations that flooded me caused nearly every muscle in my body to go taut. The cool tingle of silken sheets against my skin, the carnal sounds of lovemaking ringing in my ears. My fingers curled inwards.

Images flicked past behind my eyes. But these were not memories, mine or his. Clothes tossed unceremoniously to the floor. The cool sensation of silk sheets against naked skin. Mordric’s voice whispering in my ear, the words indiscernible. I became suddenly aware of a pulsing heat in the present. Desire emanated from the King. It was hungry. Possessive. It pooled around me, mingling with my own. I drew my bottom lip between my teeth as the scene shifted to one of fingertips dancing down naked, flushed skin. My eyes flew open.

“Was that …?” I began, my breathing shallow.

“Just something I’ve been thinking about,” he said. “I’d like to make it a reality, if you’re interested.”

Anticipation swelled in my center. It would be a lie to claim that I hadn’t thought about this moment. Longed for it, in fact. I craved the firm touch of his hands on my skin, the same feelings of pleasure that he’d teased me with in the images. I wanted this. No, I needed this.

My voice came out in a whisper. “I am.”

He grinned. “Good.”

I leaned toward him, eager for the sensation of his lips against mine. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers tracing the curve of my neck and collarbone. His kiss sent a shiver down my spine. My skin tightened, as if it was being stretched over my bones. My lips parted, allowing his tongue to dart into my mouth. His hand drifted over my breasts, which strained against the fabric of my bodice. My heart pounded against my ribcage, my breathing growing shallow. He pulled backward, leaving me breathless.