Kaius- Book 1 ( bwwm fantasy romance)
31 parts Complete Hisha swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of the proximity between them. "How...?"
Kaius hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "You can take it off, and I'll hold it. It will recharge, but there's a risk."
"The shadows," she realized.
He gave a curt nod. "Even a moment's vulnerability could be enough for them to sense you."
Hisha's stomach twisted. "What's the other option?"
His gaze met hers, unyielding. "I need to be close to you. The stone recharges faster when I'm near."
She sucked in a sharp breath. The implication was clear.
Kaius took another step forward, his presence suffocating in its intensity. "It's your choice, Hisha."
Her pulse pounded in her ears. Taking off the necklace, even for a second, could expose her. But the alternative-having him so close, relying on him like this-felt just as overwhelming.
After a beat, she lifted her chin. "Fine."
His expression didn't change, but something shifted in his stance, something unreadable. He reached up, his fingers grazing the stone, then hesitated. "You'll need to stay still."
Hisha nodded, though the thought of standing still while he invaded her space sent a shiver down her spine.
Kaius closed the distance between them, his body heat rolling over her in waves. The scent of him-dark, something almost unearthly-filled her senses, making her breath hitch. He wasn't touching her, but she could feel him, an invisible force pulling her in. Slowly, his fingers wrapped around the stone, trapping it between his palm and the heat of her skin.
The moment they connected, a sharp current of energy bolted through her body.
Hisha gasped, her fingers instinctively clutching his wrist, her knees going weak as the sensation coursed through her veins. It wasn't just warmth-it was something deeper, something that sent a rush of awareness through her skin. Her pulse stuttered, her breath coming in shallow pulls as her entire body became attuned to his presence.