“Possibly. But why would someone bother moving them down there?”
“Worth considering, at least?”
Her voice threatens to break, the words cracking. “Not today.”
“We can go to Merrick’s now, if you like,” I say gently. “Or if you’d prefer, we can go to the house. Everyone will be there. Or back to your room.”
Wherever she wants to go.
“No,” she says at last. “I want to see Leo. And the others.”
“That’s good. Truthfully, Matthias would likely have hunted us down and pulled us out regardless.”
The smile is small, but it’s there. “And then the house?”
“Yes.” I squeeze her fingers, relishing the way they tighten around mine. “If you’re sure you’d like to stay.”
“I am.” She doesn’t hesitate.
I can’t help it. I tug us to a careful stop, stepping down until I can face her at eye level.
“What are you doing—?”
My hand slips around her neck, our lips meeting. She melts beneath my touch, and I catch her as she lists into me, swallowing the small, breathless sound she makes. Drinking it in.
And then I pull away. She’s breathing unsteadily, her eyes wide. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I can. And because there are several hours between now and then, and I couldn’t face going that long without kissing you.”
Her lips find mine, and this time it’s me that nearly overbalances. Selene’s tongue traces my lips, cautious and sweet, and I pull away with a groan. “Now I have regrets. I definitely can’t go that long. Perhaps we shouldn’t have dinner with the others.”
Her eyes dance. “No. I want to see them.”
“Then perhaps I’ll kiss you in front of them.” I study her, looking for her reaction. Wondering if this is something she would prefer to keep between us, although I know my friends too well to believe I could ever hide my feelings from them.
Because that’s worked out so well, so far.
A flush creeps over Selene’s moonlight skin, spreading down below the neckline of her shirt.Myshirt, I notice suddenly, and gods, if that doesn’t fill me with satisfaction. “If you must.”
My grin spreads at the almost prim response. I have to kiss her again, and I taste her smile as my fingers brush the membranes of her wings until she shudders, her bones loosening.
“I fear I must,” I murmur against her lips. “I really, really must.”
Chapter forty-one
Selene
My cheeks are still hot an hour later, as Callan pushes open a door to a small stone dwelling a few streets away from the hearth without bothering to knock. A riot of light and noises and smells spills over us, and his hand tightens in silent encouragement as he pulls me through the doorway.
The small space is full of familiar faces, as brightly decorated as Callan’s small home but with significantly morethingspiled in every corner. I spot a hastily tidied pile of what looks like whittled wooden figures pushed out of sight beneath a chair, a neatly folded basket of clothing pushed against the wall. Rio is sprawled on top of it, Esme leaning her head back against his knees as he plucks the strings of a vihuela,his fingers shifting over the long wooden neck. She waves at us, a glass clutched in her hand. Across from them, Sol is seated on a small wooden bench, his eyes on Matthias arguing with Merrick across the room even as his hand raises in lazy greeting.
Matthias tosses his head back with a deep laugh that shakes his stomach, throwing his cards down on the aged wooden table as he turns to us. “Thank gods you’re here. Merrick is killing me. He’s taken my acai rootandmy valerian.”
He gestures to the small pouches scattered across the table. Sol’s arm brushes mine as he passes us, and he offers me a quick smile before bending down. His lips press to Matthias’s neck. “Stop playing, I beg you. We won’t have a house left.”
But there’s only good-natured amusement in his words, even as Matthias feigns outrage. His smile slips through so easily. “Maybe you’re right. Selene, do you play?”
I shake my head. “But I’m happy to be taught.”
