Page 102 of The Never List
“These attacks are starting to take their toll on you and the other Legends,” I say. “Not to mention your people. I can’t imagine what that’s like for you, not knowing why they’re doing it and not being able to predict when they’ll strike again.”
“It’s quite taxing,” he says, his eyes going distant for a moment. “I couldn’t break into their minds,” he continues. “Whatever substance they’re using that nullifies our powers staggered mine in a way that meant I couldn’t easily tell their motivations. I’ve never been up against anything like that, and I’m not exactly sure what we’re going to do about it.”
A lump forms in my throat as I remember his assumption from last night that some, if not all, of the Faders could be demis. Could be someone like me, hiding their power to avoid ridicule or imprisonment, like so many of the demis who live openly face.
“I’m sure that doesn’t happen often,” I say.
He smiles at me, just a little. “It doesn’t,” he says, eyes trailing over my face. “Though I do try not to invadeeveryone’s privacy…” He shifts slightly in the water. “Sometimes I can’t help but hear what people are thinking, if they’re thinking it loudly enough.”
“That has to be exhausting in itself,” I say.
“It certainly was when I was younger.” He leans a little bit farther back, his head resting on the edge of the bath. “It took me years to learn how to block peoples’ thoughts, but even I’m not a master of it. Jax and I practice with each other, though both of us struggle in regard to feeling everybody else’s emotions for him, and hearing their thoughts for me. It’s gotten easier, but sometimes we simply can’t shut people out.” He raises his hands from the water, indicating the space around him. “Hence why I chose a secluded place for my home. It’s quiet out here, surrounded by woods. Animals aren’t nearly as loud as people.” He chuckles softly.
My heart aches for the pair of them, seeing their power from an entirely new side.
Of course, when the enforcers told us stories of the Legends in the past, I’d always thought that they were entitled, pompous royals blessed with goddess-given powers that they used for their own selfish desires.
Now I know how wrongly those stories paint them.
Their powers are as much of a curse as they are a gift, although it seems like Jax and Pierce got the more complicated ones compared to Axl and Kal.
Even my control over the wind isn’t such a weight to carry, relative to hearing people’s thoughts or feeling their every emotion.
“I promise after we get some sleep, I’ll be a much better host,” Pierce says, smiling sleepily at me across the water.
“I think you’ve already been a wonderful host.” I sinkinto the tub just a bit more. “This is perfection.”
His grin widens as he looks at me. “I must admit,” he says, wetting his lips, “this bath has never held as much appeal as it does now.”
A flush breaks my skin at the compliment. “And what shall we do after this?”
Pierce sighs, moving through the water to get closer to me. Heat radiates between us, that tension tightening like a pulled string as he pushes some of my damp hair away from my face. “I have every intention of making you a delicious breakfast while you change into some comfortable sleep clothes, and then after we eat, I say a good long nap is in order.” His smile deepens. “How is that for foreplay, my darling?”
A laugh tumbles from my lips, and I lean into the hand lingering at the side of my face. “It’s perfect,” I say, and I truly mean it.
As much as I would love to keep flirting like we did on the ship and explore our connection like I have with all the other Legends, I know we have time. We have an entire month to be intimate, and after last night’s battle, I think what we both need most is to recover.
After another half hour in the bath, we each step out separately, both of us giving each other privacy to dry off before changing into the aforementioned sleep clothes.
Pierce delivers on his delicious breakfast—it’s simple but filling—and afterward, we climb into his oversize bed, the two of us sighing at the comfort it offers as we lie down facing each other.
“What’s that expression for?” he asks from where his head rests on his pillow and me on mine.
“I’m just grateful for you,” I say, unable to keep the vulnerable admission to myself.
I’m full and bathed and relaxed and exhausted, and there’s no hiding right now.
“For all of you,” I add.
Pierce reaches across the distance between us to take my hand. He holds it, and my eyes become heavy.
“Sleep, my darling,” he says. “Tomorrow, I’ll show you the Emerald Wood.”
My eyes fully shut, as if his soft command broke whatever willpower I had to stay awake. And just as the heavy blanket of sleep is draping over me, I hear Pierce whisper softly, “I’m grateful for you, too, Rylee Gray.”
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Rylee
