The only thing worse than being watched so closely?
Baelfire Decimus and Crypt fucking DeLune.
I don't know what the fuck happened to them, but the dragon is panting after Maven even more ridiculously than he has to date—which shouldn't even be possible. If this were a children's cartoon, his eyes would be hearts popping out of his head every time he looks at her.
In the hallways, he tries to hold her hand.And citing "exposure therapy," she lets him for a little bit before slipping her glove back on and returning to the careful act of being a wallflower.
Meanwhile, whenever Crypt isn't haunting us in Limbo, he's looking at Maven like he wants to devour her. And I mean more than usual—which, again, should not be possible.
Then there's the dynamic between Crypt and Baelfire. It's weird as hell. I don't know why they seem so off around each other, but it makes me think I've missed something. Again.
I make the mistake of staying with them for the first time during lunch in the dining hall. When Baelfire tries to get Maven to sit on his lap during lunch so he can hand-feed her, I finally can't take it anymore.
"That's it. Why the hell can't your lovesick lizard keep it in his pants today? What, did you finally decide to fuck him or something?" I snap.
Maven takes another bite of steamed carrots. "Yep."
Oh. I'm an idiot.
Silas chokes on his water, and Baelfire looks smug as shit.Crypt's eyebrows raise, and he tips his head. I can't help noticing that he removed all the piercings from one of his ears. Weird, but then his fashion choices have never made sense to me.
"That explains why he popped into your dreams so damned much last night," he drawls. "I don't mind your sex dreams in the least, but I must say the collar and leash were an interesting addition."
Now it's Maven's turn to choke on her food. Bael gives her bedroom eyes while Silas offers her his water. Crypt leans over and kisses her cheek, laughing.
They're all getting closer to her.
And I'm not. Ican't.
I knew it would hurt to be left out, but this is fucking unbearable. I stand up and walk away quickly, ignoring how Maven's gaze follows me as I leave the dining hall.
Combat training is less brutal today than it was the last two days. Instead of fighting in Everbound Forest, we run defensive training drills instructed by an air elemental named Agatha Angely. She's one of the few fellow instructors I actually respect. During the training drills focused on evasive maneuvering and ways to break out of holds the Undead typically go for, the others make sure I'm never paired with Maven. I appreciate that and hate it at the same time.
But she notices.
I know she does because when the others aren't looking, she arches a brow as if expecting me to explain why we're all working to keep distance between her and me.
I just act like an asshole and ignore her completely.
But when combat training is over and we make our way back into the castle, Maven stops us from turning down the hall toward the quintet apartment.
"We're not done training. Where are the private exercise rooms?"
Damn it. I forgot that she thinks we're all sloppy and told us we needed more training.
"I have shit to do," I mutter, turning to leave because I'm pretty sure I can't take another few hours of watching all of them together.
It's not jealousy, and it's not that they're so obsessed with her that bothers me—it's that I can't join them. I keep trying to findsomething about her to hate to delay falling for her, but there'snothing.
Not even the fact that she's the Entity's weapon bothers me. It just makes my stomach clench with dread at the idea of my parents finding out.
But before I can leave, Maven's gloved hand slips around mine, and she pulls me back.
Immediately, my heart begins pounding with erratic excitement, the traitorous little bastard. I pull away with a scowl.
"I don't need more training."
"Tell that to your hands."
