“What is it?” I ask, tilting my head to look up at him. We’re too close, and every detail of his handsome face is clear, but it’s the conflict in those crystal blue eyes that pulls at me. “Tell me…”
“I need your help to find the traitor. No matter what life brings, promise me you’ll find the truth.” There’s an urgency in his eyes, and it makes my stomach twist with unease.
“Why are you making me promise this? Of course, I’ll help, we’ll do this together.”
He doesn’t respond, and my heart sinks. It’s crazy, I know I shouldn’t think it, but then why – why does it feel like he’s… leaving?
“Look, I mentioned it to Leo, too, but that night you checked the cameras, you said you saw no one, but I saw Renji. I’m not sure if it’s him, but I need you to keep an eye on him, on everything. Can you promise me you’ll do it?”
I stare up at him, my heart galloping, and this time I cannot control it.
He’s leaving.
He’s all but said it.
And I know I can’t stop him, because I promised to support him no matter what.
I don’t know why or where, and I want to ask him, but I’m afraid he’ll push me away…
“I promise…” I whisper as I caress his jaw with my thumbs. “But can I ask something?”
“Sure,” he answers.
I look at him, but I’m unable to ask him what I truly want to, and so I look down. “Tonight… can you just hold me? Here, under the night sky?” I whisper.
Because I want to hold you, you just lost your mama, you’re hurting.
His eyes widen slightly, his eyes scanning our surroundings, and I point to a shadowy spot between the roots of a huge tree.
“No bed for the sassy princess?”
I roll my eyes, but then look up at him seriously. “If that’swhat you think, then you really don’t know me well enough.”
“I know you inside out, Sweetcheeks.”
“Not yet, you don’t,” I murmur, my cheeks heat up as I realise what I just said. He smirks.
“You’re right, out here might just be a tad safer.” With those words, he places his cigarette between his lips, and reaching down, lifts me from behind my thighs and throws me over his shoulder. “Or not…” he adds as mist begins to spread around us.
“Theo! What are you doing?!” I gasp.
“You can barely walk. Stop acting like you can own the world right now,” he answers, carrying me to the spot I had pointed out. He lowers me down, and I sit on the ground feeling relieved. My legs are like lead.
He removes his jacket before he pulls off his shirt. I swallow, my eyes trailing over him, not caring why he’s removing his shirt, until he holds it out to me.
I cock a brow questioningly. “The Schattenblüte isn’t the most comfortable to sleep in, Blondie. Wear it.”
“Oh, thanks…” I say as I take his shirt and pull it over my head, blushing as I realise how short it is. It smells good, just like him. I watch as he puts his jacket back on, his abs flexing with every move he makes. Reaching beneath the shirt from the side, I remove my Schattenblüte belt.
Ok, he was right. It’s never felt like a weight before, but when I’m so tired, it actually does.
I’m still wearing the panties I had on earlier, and theband that carries my weapons is still wrapped around my leg. I can’t shift, so I don’t lose anything. Thank the Goddess for these panties right now!
He drops down beside me as I sit there, legs tucked under me, very aware I only have panties underneath this thin shirt…
“Come over here,” he says, motioning me towards him with a finger as he smokes his cigarette with his right hand. I glance around, but the entire area is engulfed in mist. This place isn’t safer than a bed, it’s just as private…
I crawl towards him, but instead of settling beside him, I squeeze behind him, tapping him to lift his head. He cocks a brow, and I blush as I settle behind him with one leg tucked under me, and rest his head against my chest, my other leg stretched out beside him.
