I flinched. “I didn’t let—”
“Yes, you did.” He stepped closer, the space between us crackling worse than my fire ever could. “I’ve been watching your back since we were kids. I know you better than anyone, and tonight—” His breath caught, his fists clenched. “Tonight you looked at him like you used to look at me.”
“That’s not true.” My voice was sharper than I intended. “I can’t… Idon’tfeel anything for him. He’s… he’s Malakai. He’s arrogant, cruel, and—”
“And before he was just the Lieutenant, notMalakai,” Lionel snapped, cutting me off. “Don’t lie to me, you’ve done plenty of that already.”
The words hung between us like a blade. My heart pounded, my throat tight, but I couldn’t force a response past my lips.
Lionel exhaled, harsh and frustrated, running a hand through his auburn hair before stepping back. “You know what? Forget it. Forget I said anything.”
“Lionel—”
But he was already turning away, striding back into the ballroom, leaving me alone under the moonlight with my own twisting thoughts.
I clenched my fists, sparks flaring unbidden at my fingertips, and I pressed them against my skirt until they snuffed out.
I didn’t feel anything likethatfor Malakai.
I didn’t…
I snuck away from the ball, leaving the others to celebrate and have fun a bit longer. Once back at the inn, there were new clothes placed on the small table by my bed. I rushed out of the dress, throwing it aside together with my guilt and shame. I stroked my hand across the new clothes, they felt soft and cozy compared to theleathers. Yet, I wasn’t sure I wanted to trade my uniform for them. I knew how to move around fine in my own clothes, they were familiar.
I pulled the soft clothes on to use as nightwear instead, spacious light pants with a shirt to go with it. My pulse was still racing from all the excitement, all the new things we had seen, as well as the argument I’d had with Lionel, which in other words meant that I couldn’t go to sleep yet. I crawled up onto the bed, it was so soft and cozy that a sigh escaped me.
I sat in the middle, pulling the covers over my legs and let the warmth spread. How long had it been since I’d slept in a bed? Or since I was comfortable at all for that matter? But the room was silent… too silent. Outside, I could hear the wind howling, crickets singing.
In here felt empty.
I debated going to find one of the others to chat while I waited for my nerves to calm, but my eyes caught something moving. I shifted, nervously as I focused my eyes. Then I caught the thinnest thread of red, hovering in the air in front of me.
“What?” I murmured, tilting my head to see if it led somewhere.
It didn’t. It was simply a floating red thread. Suddenly, it pulsated with a faint glow.
Slowly, my hand reached for it and as soon as I touched it, I felt a firm grip on my hand and Malakai appeared out of nowhere. One heartbeat he wasn’t there, and the next he was sprawled on his stomach across my bed. His head propped lazily on one hand, looking as if I’d summoned him, like this was all some game.I jolted backwards, but he kept a firm grip of my hand as he smirked at me.
“Curiosity killed the cat,” he said, tilting his head.
“What? Something happened?” I leaned forward, staring at him for answers. His hand loosened a bit.
“No,” his voice was lazy, infuriatingly calm. “The only disaster here is how badly you want to touch me.”
My cheeks heated. “I wasnot—”
“You touched my magic?” he teased, eyes locking onto mine. “That’s like an invitation in itself.”
I bit my lower lip, trying to find a snarky reply, but I was distracted by his thumb making slow circles over my knuckles.
“Arrogant demon,” I muttered.
He chuckled low. “If I was truly unwelcome, you would’ve burnt me to ashes by now, sweetie.”
I huffed at him, yet I didn’t pull my hand out of his. There was an odd, calming feeling about it… had he known I was uneasy and came to soothe me?
“Why are you here, Malakai?” I asked quietly.
He tensed briefly, before he reached up, slow and deliberate, to sweep a stray strand of hair from my face.
