Page 142 of Tempt

Part of me thinks I should have known there was more to Lucie and Dhoryn’s companionship than cum. The way Dhoryn pierced him, more than any other companion I have ever known. I knew he was possessive. But I did not realize why.

“Eissa,” Vyrian says, startling me as he appears around a corner. His ears flutter when he sees me, and I see a hint of fang. “You are back so soon.”

“I am searching for Dhoryn. Is he here?”

Vyrian inclines his head. “He is.”

I walk toward the small enclave where Dhoryn works, and Vyrian follows.

Who are you with? I can feel affection coming through the bond.

Luca’s words in my mind make my footsteps falter, and I send back a rush of love to him.

It is Vyrian. A…friend who works in the archives. I have known him for many moon cycles.

I want to meet him. He’s special to you.

“Why do you look like that?” Vyrian asks, staring at me intently. “Is it your human? Are you worried?”

I bristle at the question, but then realize there is no way he can know Luca and I can speak to each other through our minds.

“No, I was thinking about other things.” I realize that he is following me once more, and I turn to glance at him. “Is there something you need? Is something bothering you that you wish to speak of?”

“Yes. I would like to meet your human. You said that I could when we last conversed. It would be a great honor.”

I can feel Luca insisting on it through the bond as well, his curiosity getting the better of him. It has always gotten him into trouble.

But I know despite my reservations, I stand no chance in this moment.

“Very well. You can come, but you must be discreet. I do not wish any harm to befall you.”

His face lights up, and his ears flutter once more. “Send me the coordinates. You will not even know I’ve arrived.”

And with that, he turns and walks off, leaving me to find Dhoryn.

He’s bent over his workstation, a looking glass at his eye, his hand scribbling something down on a piece of parchment. His ears arch back as he hears me approach, and I see the way his tail tightens around his thigh.

It’s only when I speak his name that he sets down his tools and stands to greet me.

“Eissa.” His eyes are narrowed in frustration at being interrupted. But beyond it, I can see that something more is bothering him.

But I know he will not tell me.

“We must speak.”

He gestures to a chair in front of him, but I shake my head.

“Not here.”

His eyes flash at me, and I know he knows. We had one very short conversation about my plans, but it’s time to lay it all out for him. I will be speaking with Sabik before the next first-moon cycle, and I must know who is on my side.

He lifts a hand and signs a single word, ‘Where?’

My eyes widen. I suppose it was foolish to assume that he would not have picked up any ASL from Lucie, but he had been distancing himself from his human as much as possible.

‘With me,’ I sign back. ‘Down the corridor, just before the council room. Hidden door.’

I don’t know if he knows enough to pick all of that up, but he inclines his head just once, and then he turns his gaze back to his work.