Page 62 of The Night Prince 6

“Honestly… probably not.”

“Exactly. Because you really didn’t have any other choice,” Finley pointed out. “Rhalyf, there was no other way that would have led you to the life you have now. Hopefully, Aquilan can be honest with himself about that.”

“Maybe.” Rhalyf stopped walking and turned so he was facing Finley with the water to the east of them. He took both of Finley’s hands in his. “But that is tomorrow’s worry. Tonight? Tonight is about all good things.”

“Haera won’t be stopping by tonight,” Finley pointed out. “At the mage tower.”

Rhalyf grinned jauntily. “She will not.”

“So we will have the mage tower to ourselves.”

The grin grew wider. “We will.”

“No interruptions,” Finley said almost faintly.

“Indeed, not a one.”

“Unless something crawls out of the lake and pounds on the door,” Finley pointed out.

Rhalyf ignited a fireball beside them. “If they come, I will take care of them.”

He flicked the fireball towards the lake. Something let out a scream and dove under the water.

“Was there–”

“Yes, something is stalking us. But with me here, there’s nothing to fear.” Rhalyf winked at him.

“I can see that. And smell it. Fried scales?”

“Yes, and I will fry the rest of you if you don’t back the fuck off!” Rhalyf roared into the night.

There were dozens more splashes as things dove back into the deep. Finley laughed and shook his head.

“I didn’t even know they were there. I really need to figure out this magic and–”

“You will, Finley.” He cupped Finley’s chin. “You will figure out all of it. I know it.”

Finley’s heart fluttered, but he wasn’t sure if it was at what Rhalyf said or at his touch and nearness.

“Now, shall we go to someplace a little more comfortable? I assure you that making love on sand is highly overrated. It’s gritty,” Rhalyf chuckled.

“Sand in unmentionable places,” Finley agreed.

“Indeed.”

“Open a rift?” Finley requested.

“Of course. Watch me?”

“Actually… no. I want to… do something else.”

He found himself leaning in. His lips parted. His head tilted. Rhalyf’s eyes glowed red for a moment just before they hooded and his lips covered Finley’s. The kiss had Finley rising up onto his tiptoes. Tingles ran up and down his spine and pooled between his legs.

His hands wound around Rhalyf’s neck as the kiss went on and on. He swore he felt his bones becoming liquid as it continued. Rhalyf’s hands on his waist were the only thing holding him up in the end. When the kiss finished–for the moment–his eyes remained closed. He felt like he was floating in a sea of darkness. But it wasn’t frightening. It was comforting.

He heard Rhalyf murmuring the words of the rift spell. He didn’t open his eyes. He just wanted to feel the magic. And he did. The hair all over his body crackled with electricity. And then the world spun like Rhalyf was spinning him in a dance move.

“Finley?” Rhalyf’s voice was thick with desire. “We’re here.”