I smile. “I would offer to help you with that, but I suspect that’s not your thing.”
His eyes roam over me. “I’m currently cravingsomething a little more feminine in nature. But I wouldn’t mind stabbing you, if you’re offering.”
I arch a brow. “Depends what you want to stab me with.”
“Something sharp and laced with slug venom?” he suggests.
“That’ll never happen,” I return flatly. He fooled me once with that little trick. I won’t be catching any of his daggers going forward. I’ll simply mist.
He shrugs. “Then sparring with Reaper will have to do.”
“If they’re going to try to kill each other, then you’re on guard duty,” Flame says. “Because I’m going to go watch.”
I look at him, curious as to whom he’s talking to.
And realize he’s staring right at me.
“You trust me to protect your mate?” I ask, surprised.
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t trust you?” he counters, his dark brow arching and disappearing beneath his messily styled hair.
I consider his question seriously. “Serapina is the reason my heart beats,” I inform him. “She’s my primary priority, the one I’m willing to do anything for. That said, Alina is important to her, which makes her an equal priority in my eyes. So I believe that suggests you can trust me implicitly.”
He nods. “Then you’re on guard duty,” he reiterates. “Once Thea wakes up, I imagine Orcus will join you.”
I slide my hands into the pockets of my slacks and wander forward. I changed from my comfortable interior clothes into a white button-down shirt with khaki-colored dress pants for our beach walk.
A human might think I’m overdressed or perhaps warm with the heat of the sun, but I barely feel the sun.Likely because I’ve created a light breeze around myself, one that teases the longer strands of my hair.
Serapina eyes me as I move, her focus going to my exposed forearms and then up to my neck where I’ve left two buttons undone.
The way she swallows tells me she appreciates the view.
I feel similarly about her tight black pants and blue tank top. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a messy bun, one I want to undo just so I can comb my fingers through her silky strands.
But it’s her bare feet that I adore the most.
She refused to put on shoes, saying it would be easier to walk in the sand without footwear. I agreed with her assessment and left my feet bare, too.
It was my way of showing solidarity and proving that I accept her choices.
Maybe she doesn’t see it that way. And that’s fine. I’ll continue to prove myself in every way I can, even with small gestures.
Like not wearing shoes, even though I almost always do when outside, including on a beach.
“I haven’t actually agreed to spar yet,” Maliki points out as I join the group by the waterfront. “Reaper needs to outline the rules first.”
“No trying to kill each other,” Alina inserts.
Reaper gives her an affronted look. “What? Why? Killing is part of the fun.” He cocks his head. “You know how I feel about fun, pet. Would you really force me to make that a rule?”
She gapes at him. “Maliki is an ally.”
“And what better way to test an ally’s strength than to put him through his paces?” Reaper returns.
Alina just continues to stare at him.
“Don’t worry,” Maliki murmurs. “He can’t kill me.”
