“What can I do? There has to be something. If she goes with him…”
“You fear you’ll be parted from her forever.”
Sick at the very thought, I nod.
“I’ve not known the girl long, but I do know that she will not balk at a challenge. No matter how much you beg and plead, it is not in her nature to bend. Not with blood like hers.”
I sit there for a moment, at a loss, the lump in my throat growing sharper with each breath.
Gnorr may not think it’s possible, but I’m not giving up. I’ll do whatever it takes. Sell my soul if I have to.
Thanking her for her time, I stand and move to the door.
“She will not choose.” Gnorr’s voice stills my hand on the knob. “Soyoumust make the choice. Either accept who and what she is, and all the unwanted things that come with that, or walk away. Before you no longer can.”
Glancing back over my shoulder, I say, “There is no part of her I don’t want.”
“It isn’t her I’m referring to.” She gives me a knowing look before turning back to her dove.
Serena burstsinto the library a few hours later carrying a linen-wrapped bundle, our friends in tow. Clearly, she has no idea what space means.
I’m almost grateful. Because as much as we both need it, it’s the last thing on earth I want.
“We brought snacks.” She offers me a timid smile, and I try not to gawk at her as she dumps the contents of her arms out onto the table. “You skipped breakfast.”
Eaton plops down beside me as she flips open the cloth. Inside are buttered biscuits, grapes, some wedges of cheese, and a few tiny quiches.
“I didn’t know what you’d want, so I brought options.”
She’s trying to atone. As if she has a reason to be sorry when I’m the one who made the foolish mistake of kissing her. I feel like a dick for the cold shoulder I’ve thrown her way. But she’s not giving up.
“So thoughtful, isn’t she, Zadyn?” Eaton gives me a deviant smile, each word loaded with irony.
Bastard.
“That’s—thank you.” I finally allow my eyes to link with Serena’s. And then I’m thinking about leaning over the table to thank her with a kiss. I’m thinking about drinking from her mouth, sucking at her skin, sinking my teeth into her—fuck.
I’m almost certain everyone in the room is aware of the shift in the air. My cheeks heat, and it’s only made worse when I catch the look Mar gives me as she slides into a chair. I shoot her a quick scowl before forcing the lustful images from my mind.
“How’s the research going?” Dover slips into the seat beside his mate, taking in the spread of books before me.
“Slow. I could use another set of eyes.”
“You’ve got five.” Mar gestures to the group. “Well, four. Kai is certainly illiterate.”
“That’s because my education was better spent on learning how tobe the finest lover in all the kingdoms.” He puckers his lips and makes a kissy sound at Mar as he slumps onto the couch behind us.
“Actually, make that three sets of eyes,” Serena says. “Jace wants to take me out to train with Furi for a few hours. To try wielding.”
“Oh.” I try to sound casual about it, but do I think it’s a horrible idea for her to be alone with Jace? Absolutely.
Do I think he’s a dog for being engaged and still undoubtedly trying to have his cake and eat it too? Absolutely.
Though I thought he was a dog long before he and Sorscha were ever engaged.
I clear my throat. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Or it would be if anyone but Jace was teaching her. She’ll be too busy making eyes at him to even absorb a word he says.
