A few hours later, I was wrinkled as fuck and it was time to get out. I'd been avoiding it because going back to reality meant going back to whatever was left of the world I'd been trying to rebuild before.
With towels around us, Jordan and I made our way into the house, only to find Rafe waiting in the main hall, leaning against the wall in what would have been a casual stance, if not for the tense expression on his face.
I knew him well enough now to know he was unhappy. "Call Mattie," he said, thrusting a palm reader at me.
Instinctively I reached out and grabbed the device, noting it was brand new and top-of-the-line, even fancier than the one I'd originally been gifted.
"Why? Is she okay?" I burst out. After Rafe’s earlier statement that she and Nolan were okay, I'd checked up on my best friend as soon as I could and had been happy to learn that she'd been saved during the academy blast by Zach. He'd moved up a couple rungs on the ladder with that action, so he was exactly two rungs off the ground.
"No, she just wanted to talk to you," Rafe replied. His gaze left me to run over Jordan. "You're looking better, brother. I'm happy to see that."
Then he spun on his heel and disappeared.
The heaviness was back in my chest, but I pushed it aside. "Want to join me for dinner?" I asked Jordan.
His smile was sad. "I should probably get some rest. Healing up is taking a lot longer than I'd like."
I chuckled sadly. "You were tortured for nearly a month and have been healing for two days. I don't think you're being very fair."
His rueful smile was my reply before he brushed a hand across my face and then headed toward his room. Angry at myself, heartsick, and hurting, I made my way to Rafe's room to get changed into something comfortable and ask the staff if I could just have dinner in my room, as I wasn’t feeling up to being social again.
I tried calling Mattie, but she didn’t answer. So I sent her about sixteen text messages instead, telling her how much I missed her beautiful ass.
The dinner tray arrived twenty minutes later with salad, bread, and some chicken tenders on it. Simple and delicious, it was one of my favorite meals, and I wondered if that was a coincidence or not.
By the time I fell into bed that night, I was exhausted and broken. I'd been here before and knew I'd claw my way out of the darkness, but for now I'd embrace the pain and let it carry me away.
Chapter 16
“You’ll be heading back to the academy today,” Felipe announced at breakfast. “We don’t want you to miss any more classes, and it’s best to get back to normal.”
Jordan and I both lifted our heads from where we’d been shoveling pancakes in. Rafe didn’t even react, so he probably already knew.
“I know I don’t have to tell you all to be careful,” Felipe continued. “Uriel and others from the extremists are still out there, and the school does not have security like our home.”
His eyes met mine. “Stick with my boys, Violet. You’re part of this family now, and we will protect you.”
I shot him a loving, cheeky smile. “I can protect myself, Felipe. And our boys.”
The king shook his head at me. “I’m too old to get another call saying you’ve been hurt or kidnapped. See that I don’t live through it again.”
“I will,” I said seriously. “I’m not letting anyone steal this life from me."
That seemed to satisfy him, and I went back to breakfast so I didn't have to think about everything else that was happening today. My palm reader buzzed.
Mattie:Are you back today, bitch? Thanks for blowing up my messages last night, by the way.
Trying not to laugh, I quickly messaged back.
Yep. Should be on a plane in a couple of hours.
Mattie:I have so much fucking gossip to share with you. Also, I need you to talk me down from Zach. I've been dreaming about his cock, and I don't know what to do about that.
This time I couldn't stop my laughter, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Mattie," I said by way of explanation.
Who knew you only had to be rescued by your forced fiancé and you'd be all over that boy?
I could almost hear Mattie's scream of frustration.
