Malice gives the towel to Theo.
“Get her cleaned up and into bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Wait, Malice,” Aerin’s rasping voice whimpers after him, desperate. Malice doesn’t turn around.
69
MALICE
The memories of tonight will go down as the most erotic moments of Malice’s life, and he hates himself for it. Wandering down the abandoned streets of Valtara just after four a.m. on a Saturday morning, he is all alone. Perfect for the self-loathing he’s currently swallowing by the spoonful.
He tried to resist her. He really had. But she started taking off her dress and Malice found himself glued to the spot. Unable to move, unable to think about anything other than how much he wants her. Then she started touching herself and he knew it was game over. His resolve can only take so much.
Now, he regrets it. Regrets doing it. Regrets making it so rough. Regrets how much he enjoyed it. Regrets leaving Theo, Emrys, and Aerin after. Her rough voice calling after him…
Malice knows Theo and Emrys will dote on her. Pamper her until she falls asleep in their arms, but he can’t stop the voice in his head telling him thatheshould be there. That protecting her doesn’t just extend to her physical safety from outside threats. That leaving her after that was worse than all the harsh words he’s thrown at her combined.
Sitting on a bench at the waterfront he watches as the dark waters slowly churn by.
Is there anything that can keep him out of the grasp of Aerin Tolvare?
When Malice considers everything that has changed since he arrived here, it seems like years have passed. Everything inside of him has rearranged. When had “home” started feeling like an apartment filled with boisterous and stubborn creatures? When had Aerin’s problems become his problems? When had aWolfbecome his closest confidant? And when had Malice stopped putting everything behind doors? When had he allowed all these things to burrow inside of him and become who he is?
Malice realizes, admits for the first time, despite knowing it’s truth since he drank Aerin’s blood: there is no going back. He is irreparably changed. And if he doesn’t figure out a way to let himself be, he’ll be in agony for the rest of his life.
Reikan wakes abruptly under his skin, in a cold way that sends Malice’s senses on alert. They both listen and smell the air. There is nothing, only the briny scent of the river and the sounds of its slow progression. Only the deep shadows of the night.
[Go back to her,]Reikan warns. The tone is enough to have Malice on his feet, then off his feet as he takes flight. Fear grips him.
[What do you sense?]Malice asks the Dragon. Reikan seems to shake his head.
[I can’t be certain; it is just a feeling.]
Malice sprints into the lobby of the apartment building, scaring the doorman on duty. He swears the elevator moves exponentially slower than normal, his heart ready to burst out of his chest. Running down the hallway, Malice unlocks the door, bursting inside to scan the apartment. Everything is normal, exactly how he left it.
Malice can’t breathe until he opens her bedroom door and sees Aerin, sleeping peacefully sandwiched between Emrys and Theo.
Emrys opens his eyes groggily, meeting Malice’s. The Wolf nods his head towards the open spot on the bed, urging Malice to join them. Malice only shakes his head no, shutting the door.
He checks on Khortland and Reyna who are also asleep in their bed, before sitting down in the living room. Malice doesn’t sleep. When the early morning light breaks through the curtains, he still can’t shake the cold feeling that arose on his skin as Reikan woke up, the feeling that something is wrong.
70
AERIN
Aerin adjusts the gold bodice of her dress in the mirror for what feels like the hundredth time. The dress is stunning. Sent to her door by Esalin Tolvare earlier that day, the gold shimmers like liquid, strapless with visible boning in the sheer gold panels of the bodice. It falls from Aerin’s waist to the floor in a pool. Her hair is coiled, half up and falling down her back in loose curls, held together by various jewels. The only other jewelry she wears is the small ring on her index finger.
She looks iridescent, exactly how a Princess should look on such a momentous occasion.
She adjusts the bodice again.
“You look amazing,” Quinn sighs. The Viper is laying on her stomach on her bed, feet kicking in the air behind her.
“She’s right, you know.” Theo’s voice comes from the doorway. Aerin meets his eyes through the mirror. He looks sinful in sweatpants and a black tank top.
Despite her protests, her father had been clear; the event is invitation only. Theo, Emrys, and Reyna are staying behind. Quinn and Vyx can’t be there either. Khortland is lookingforward to the dinner perhaps even less than Aerin if that’s even possible. And Malice…
Aerin doesn’t know what Malice is feeling. The distance between them feels like a chasm. One that grows every day. He’s been hovering closer than ever, but they’ve exchanged only a few words since last Friday when he ran out in the middle of the night.
