(read it from the beginning)
cw : blood and slight injury
Over the next few days, Finnex brings in a few of the plants from the grounds that need the most urgent care, allowing you to focus your energy. By the end of the week, the small atrium is beginning to look like a greenhouse.
He was right. With more practice, your powers aren't just urging the plants to grow, they are thriving, expanding until they're spilling over their replacement clay pots.
It has gotten to the point where you don't need to touch the plant, just allow your fingertips to graze the aura, the hidden barrier that surrounds every living thing.
You sit beside the fern, its deep green leaves almost reach out begging for your magic, when you hear heavy footsteps echoing through the halls.
"Have you brought more plants?" You ask, looking over your shoulder.
Finnex is wearing a dark linen shirt, open enough that you can see his strong chest. The sight makes your mouth go dry.
"And watch you continue to turn my palace into a forest? No, I was thinking you'd tend to something a bit larger."
"An animal?" You squeak out. Your heart racing at the thought of tending to an injured creature. You don't think you could bare it.
"If you wish to call me names, little witch." He quirks his brow.
"You are uninjured." You say, pushing up until you're standing in front of him.
Finnex towers over you, his gaze sweeping over your form. At first you thought it was contempt, but that melted into curiosity. He looks upon many things with the same quiet contemplation, but now there's something new in his eyes that you cannot quite put your finger on.
"That can be remedied." He pulls a blade from his pocket, flicking it open with one fluid movement and slowly running it across his palm. A thin line of dark, tacky blood pools at the seam.
"Stop!" you cry out, grabbing his wrist.
A laugh dies in his throat as he notices your distress and quickly puts the knife away.
There's that new look, softer than anything you've experienced from human men or women. Is that an apology in his eyes? A question?
His hand begins to glow with a faint white cast, pulsing like a heartbeat, steady and strong. It's unlike anything you've ever seen and it's enough to tear your attention away from his deep onyx gaze.
"What is happening?" You ask.
Time seems to stutter to a stop as the wound closes before your very eyes.
Finnex mutters your name under his breath, flexing his hand. "That is your magic."
The white glow remains for a moment, leaving only as you pull away.
He reaches and grabs your hand, examining your fingers, looking for any impurity, the telltale dark magic that would cling to your skin after touching something from the demon realm, but there is nothing. Just light.
"It's beautiful." He says, "Just like you."
Your thoughts scream. Kiss me.
His hand moves to your cheek, rough thumb swiping across the flesh and over your bottom lip, pulling it down. Either he read your mind, or he had the same thought. You cling to the hope that it is the latter.
"Finn--"
His lips crash into yours, strong hands moving at your waist to pull you close. He tastes like spring, fresh and sweet. The scent of the sun and garden clinging to his skin.
Your first real kiss.
Unlike the brief moments with the stable boy who wouldn't look in your direction after. Or the daughter of the pastor who would visit your garden at night so that she wouldn't be seen with you.
You feel his tongue brush against your lip, and the nip of his fangs which cause you to hiss. The hint of pain, stirring something deep inside.
Finnex pulls away, putting distance between you. "Apologies. I--I got carried away." He stammers out, "I will leave you to your--" he gestures then turns and leaves just as quickly.
His warmth clings to you. Lips still tingling from his touch and your hands continue to glow. Begging for connection.
