I wasn’t sure if they’d talked everything out, but seeing them in here together—and the fact that Niz had enough energy to shift—made hope bloom in my chest. Warmth spread through me, all the way to my extremities, until I felt far lighter than before I opened the door.
This was what I’d continue to fight for. For the incredible souls around me, and all those who wanted to exist in a world where we would all be accepted exactly as we were. To stop living in fear of tyrants who twisted the collective mind of the populace into a false history and narrative.
My feet refused to budge as I committed this moment to memory, not wanting to forget a single detail.
“Whatcha doing?”
The soft question startled me, causing me to jump and spin. Heat flushed my cheeks with embarrassment from being caught watching Ronan and Niz. Bastian’s knowing smirk made me hit his chest playfully as I murmured, “You scared me!”
He grabbed my hand, holding it to his chest as he leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead. “Good morning, Darling.”
My heart rate slowed as I melted into his chest, loving the strength I felt in his arms. We’d come so far, and it astounded me to think about how we’d first met at the portal. Somehow, we’d naturally fallen into…whatever this was between us.
Part of me wanted to overthink it, but what was the point? There were so many other pressing things to actuallybe concerned about that wasting my energy wondering why something felt so good seemed trivial.
A week ago, I would have worked myself into a frenzy thinking about the feelings I had for multiple people, and how I would navigate the dynamic while trying to ensure I didn’t hurt anyone. Now, though? A breath puffed from my nose as I shook my head slightly. Maybe it was time to just appreciate these connections, for as long as I had them.
Could it be that simple?
“Let’s leave the sleeping beauties in peace,” he whispered. I heard the click of the door closing behind me as his body leaned forward, still holding me firmly with one arm.
Soft steps sounded on the floor above us before trailing down the stairs toward us. Steele popped into view and our eyes were like magnets, instantly finding each other. I waited for a snarky comment since I was pressed into Bastian, or even a glare of disgust I’d grown so used to from him.
Bastian’s arm tightened imperceptibly as Steele passed next to us.
“Good morning,” he murmured, but then he was gone, heading to the main floor below and leaving Bastian and me to share a look of shock and confusion.
“Did he just…say something polite?”
I floundered to answer. “Uhm, yeah, I think he did.”
Bastian’s eyebrows rose as he stared at the stairs. “That was unexpected.”
My mouth opened and closed repeatedly. I hated that my first thought was about Steele’s motive for being polite. It felt impossible to accept that he had been nice just for the hell of it. I inhaled deeply before shaking the odd feeling from my head.
“Let’s head down,” I said softly, pulling away enough to clasp our hands together and lead us toward the living room.
Bastian left my side to head to his favorite spot on the sectional. I hadn’t thought it possible, but there was already a slight dent forming to the seat and side arm. He was like a cat who curled up in the same exact place every single time before snuggling in.
Hushed words from the kitchen drew my attention. Gabe was passing Steele a cup of coffee as the latter patted him on the shoulder and nodded. The smell of coffee pulled me in their direction, hoping Steele would continue to be civil around me if I came into their little bubble.
Wordlessly, Gabe handed me a cup as well, and I quickly thanked him as they continued to chat. Moving to the fridge to get creamer, I shamelessly listened in.
“The healers are doing everything they can, but they weren’t prepared to be inundated like that,” Steele muttered before I heard a small slurp, followed by a sigh. “As awful as it is, it’s a wake up call, and it shows us where we need to focus some efforts to make quick, sustainable improvements.”
Closing the fridge door, I turned to the counter and poured my creamer slowly, trying to extend my quiet surveillance.
He continued, “We’re at just over forty lives lost, but their side lost a hell of a lot more, thanks to that wyvern slaughtering them in the sky. I hate to admit it, but I feel indebted to him, and I’m glad he’s pulling through that injury.”
“Remember when you didn’t want to let them into the Rebellion?” Gabe mused, more sass in his tone than I was used to hearing.
I couldn’t help but laugh but immediately tried to cover it with a cough.
Silence followed, and I kept my eyes trained on my coffee as I stirred it. I felt the weight of their eyes on me, and I knew Steele wouldn’t let me continue to lurk quietly anymore.
“Do you have something to add to the conversation, Kieran?” he asked, faux sweetness in his tone.
I took a breath, picking up my coffee before turning around and leaning against the counter. With my free hand, I lifted it to my chest and retorted, “Me? No, why would you think that?”
