“Shhhh,” Tristan rocks me gently. “We’re not going to let that happen, sweetheart. You’re staying right here with us.”
“If my heat is an issue,” I blurt, my heart racing, “we can do it. It doesn’t matter.”
Tristan’s arms clench around me. “It does matter,” he says forcefully. His fingers grip my chin, pushing it up so I have no choice but to look at him. “Your choices matter, Sienna.”
Relief and terror war for space inside my chest. “What are we going to do?”
Tristan runs his hand down my back. “We’re going to do as they say and attend the meeting they’ve requested. We’ll sort this out. You don’t need to attend, Sienna. Unless you want to?”
I’m shaking my head before he finishes. I don’t want to go anywhere near the Council. Especially with my heat on the way. “When is the meeting?”
“In two days.” Tristan looks worried. “They’re not accounting for the third Trial. You could go into heat at any time.”
“Go. It won’t be that long. I’ll be fine.”
He blows out a breath. “We’ll see what we can find. Worst case scenario, maybe we can get something that will help you sleep through most of it.”
I… like that idea. His eyebrows raise, and I nod. “That sounds like the best option to me.”
“Then that’s what we’ll look at first.”
He sounds so certain; it helps calm the pounding inside my chest. I lay my head back, listening to the reassuring thump in his heartbeat.
I have to trust them. I have to, if we’re going to move forward.
“Okay.”
45
JAX
Istop short as I’m passing Sienna’s room, my ears pricking up.
At fucking last.
I ease the door open, not at all ashamed that I’m invading her privacy when I can hear exactly what she’s doing. My little shortcake may think she’s being quiet, but I can pick up the thrum of a high note from a thousand feet away.
I slowly tilt my head around the door, taking in the beautiful sight of my Soul Bonded. She’s hunched over, her fingers tracing chords on a freaking gorgeous but battered white acoustic. Her fingers fly as she immerses herself, her eyes sliding closed.
She doesn’t even realize I’m here. And it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen as she loses herself in a melody I’ve never heard before.
I stay exactly where I am, barely breathing as she loses herself in the music. Serenity like I’ve never seen is plastered across her face, a peace I’ve never seen when she’s been around us.
My heart pounds.
She finally opens her eyes, glancing over. Her fingers slide off the strings with a screech. “Jax!”
“Again.” I cross the room to sit at the end of her bed, desperate for more. “Give me more, shortcake.”
She bites her lip. “I shouldn’t.”
“You absolutely fucking should.” I reach out and tug her battered lip free, soothing the small hurt with my finger. She stares at me, all wide blue eyes and pink fucking candyfloss and Sienna.
“I want you to look like that every day,” I murmur, pulling my hand away with regret.
A cute little frown appears on her forehead. “Like what?”
“Happy.”
