Hyacinth - By Abigail Owen Page 0,35

of wire with the instructions that it was her idea and nothing was wrong. She’d forced herself to remain there peacefully, knowing he was watching her. She didn’t so much as twitch at the pain or give the slightest indication that she knew what was happening. The incident was branded forever in her mind… and on her body. A permanent reminder of just how dangerous Gideon was.

She pushed the painful memory away – he’d seen enough. “I’ve always wondered what would’ve happened if I’d fought him,” Selene murmured. “But I was young and weak. I knew that he’d win in a battle of powers. He’d already proved that.”

She felt Griffin shift in the bed, and suddenly his warm lips brushed across the scars on her wrists in a whisper of a kiss. With a gasp Selene opened her eyes only to be captured by the golden depths of his. Holding her gaze, Griffin leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers and then once more. His touch was so light, it was like butterfly wings. Wanting more, needing more, Selene tipped forward, placing her hand on his chest, and pressed her lips against his. But Griffin didn’t move. Need overwhelmed her. She reached up and took his face in her hands.

“Griffin … kiss me,” Selene moaned.

She’d barely finished uttering her plea when his arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly into his body, and his lips were crushing hers. Selene hungrily opened her mouth, allowing him to slide his tongue inside. A small whimper escaped her at the sensation. At the sound, Griffin suddenly moved, and Selene found herself flat on her back, pressed into the bed by the weight of his body as his lips traced a path down her neck and across her collarbone. Selene hummed deep in her throat and rubbed her legs on his.

But as quickly as it started, it was over. Griffin suddenly pulled away and sat up. He leaned against the headboard and ran his hands over his face, his breathing ragged. “I think you should go to your room, Selene,” he said, looking at the ceiling rather than at her.

“I—”

“Please. Just go.”

Embarrassed and rejected and more than a little bit frustrated, Selene rolled off the bed and left the room. As she closed the door, she glanced back over her shoulder. Griffin was still sitting on the bed. His knees were drawn up and his head was bowed.

Selene quietly closed the door behind her, tears trickling silently down her cheeks. She’d learned long ago how to hold in the sound of her sobs. The skill came in handy now as she made her way through the darkened house back to her own room.

Chapter 23

“Explain yourself, Princess!”

Selene stood straight and proud and refused to flinch at Xavier’s tone and choice of words. He’d never been one to hold back ire.

“What could you possibly have been thinking?” he continued.

Selene folded her hands in front of her, patiently waiting for the head of the Vyusher High Council to finish everything he wanted to say. She’d known this was going to happen. She could also practically feel the anger coming off Griffin.

Just that morning, Charlotte had teleported everyone to the Vyusher castle – Zara included. As they had decided the night before, it was time to warn Selene’s people.

Selene had Oren convene the High Council so that she could inform them of the treachery being plotted against them. She’d brought Griffin and Ellie to help her show her people the danger they faced. Xavier was going ballistic without all the facts, which was typical of him. Predictable, but annoying nonetheless.

She caught Lila’s gaze and then motioned toward Griffin, hoping Lila would catch the subtle hint to calm him down a bit.

“Are you going to say something?” Griffin’s voice sounded in her head.

“Let him burn himself out first,” she answered calmly.

Eventually, when she saw that Xavier was winding down his argument, Selene held up her hand and he fell silent. She rarely played the Princess card. Too many years of not making any of the decisions, she supposed.

Selene stepped to the center of the room and looked at each Council member in turn. When she was absolutely sure she had their undivided attention, she spoke.

“I have come here in good faith. I bring with me the ones responsible for ending my brother’s terrible reign over our people and our minds, and you berate me for it?” She looked directly at Xavier, who had the good sense to look