of the king. It nourished the forest and provided water to the outlying homes, but when a family from this island dared to question King Zephyr after he killed their son, he cut the whole lot off. No one and nothing receives hydration out here unless they travel to the other islands to get it by the bucket.”
“Why don’t they leave? Seems stupid to stay where you’re not wanted.”
Finn ran a hand over his short hair, something I’d seen him do several times already and usually when I frustrated him. “You don’t get it, and I’m not sure you ever will. Maybe this was a waste of time.”
He turned to walk away, but I caught his arm. Power sparked along his skin at my touch, though I couldn’t find the will to let go. All I’d been trying to do for the last day was fight whatever was building between us. With everything I’d been trying to sort out, I was tired of denying myself, even though I knew it was the wrong choice to make.
His silver eyes met mine, and he sighed. “You’re only attracted to me because of what’s running through my blood. Just ignore it.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I guess we’ll never know. Though, you can’t deny you return the feelings. Our little tumble in the grass earlier proved that.” I had no idea why I was reminding him of something I’d only done to throw him off. I didn’t actually want him to want me, did I?
His hands gestured toward me, then he circled around so he was behind me. “I’m not blind, Lucinda. You’re seductive, tantalizing, and my fingers itch to trace every inch of your skin.” He paused, his breath hot on my neck, making me involuntarily lean into him.
“I wanted to rip that vampire apart when I saw his hands all over you the night I found you. A promise to my sister was the only thing that kept me from doing so.” He backed away just when I thought we were moving beyond contempt.
He came back around to face me. “But none of that matters. Regardless of all the things that draw men to you—that made me want you no matter how badly I fought it—I see what lies beneath the surface. You are cruel, care nothing of the life around you, and think hurting other people is fun.”
My eyes pinched together as an emotion I didn’t ever experience tried filtering through, but I pushed it aside, knowing it was for the best. Finn showing up and declaring what I’d already known was not what I had planned.
You need to walk away. He will ruin you.
I knew the voice was right this time, but every time he was around, I learned something new. His comment about me only wanting him because of what was running through his blood made walking away even harder. The thought of showing Finn how hard that was for me was not acceptable, though. I had to do this my way before I lost myself.
Turning the tables on him and playing by my rules, I traced my fingers from his temple, through the light stubble along his jaw, and down his sculpted chest until I paused just above the top of his pants. “Listen, Finn. You need to quit thinking so much and just have some fun.” The words were said more for me, but he’d never know that.
His hands circled around my waist and yanked me close enough that our noses were touching. “I don’t do fun. I do serious, and there is nothing serious about you, Lucinda.”
My fingers tapped his chest as I smirked up at him. “Oh, we’ll see about that.” Then, I backed a few feet away, needing space to breathe.
My thoughts were racing, and I knew if my plan was going to work, I needed Finn. I needed someone who was familiar to the lands and fit in to make the guards look one way while I was tearing down their king right under their noses. While I knew Finn was the worst choice for my wellbeing, I was also aware that he was the best choice given the situation.
I was going to have to let him in and accept the risk that there was something inside him that he was afraid of and could be screwing with me. Along with the risk that I could allow myself to care about more than just myself and Neva.
Keeping the elf safe was easy. She knew