I shrunk back against the sofa, moving slightly behind Hunter. He was mad.
“Pandora, could you give us a moment?” Daryl asked with a fury in his gaze that reminded me of a parental discipline I had only seen in Mother.
“Please don’t hurt him,” I rasped, throat dry and achy.
“Death, calm down.” Hunter moved to shield me from Daryl’s view. “You’re scaring her.”
I heard an audible exhale. “I’m not going to kill him. I need to talk to him.”
“What about me?” I asked softly. “Hunter wasn’t the only one involved. I don’t want him killed or hurt.”
“I won’t hurt him,” Daryl growled, crossing his arms with a pout. “I promise, Pandora.”
I moved back and glanced at Daryl. He’d never lied to me. If he said he wouldn’t hurt him, he wouldn’t.
The ring on my finger stayed white, and relief hit me like a torrential downpour.
Hunter’s finger brushed against mine, drawing my attention. “I’ll be fine. I promise. Go get some rest or study. I’ll find you later.”
“Oh, come on,” Daryl grumbled.
I nodded, flicking my gaze between the two of them. “I’ll see you both later then.”
“Of course, starlight,” Hunter murmured, and my cheeks flamed with heat.
“Sounds good,” Daryl coughed.
I got to my feet and adjusted the bag on my shoulder, glancing back at the two of them one more time before shutting thedoor behind me.
My heart pounded wildly as what just happened sunk in.
Daryl had walked in on Hunter and me kissing—and I’d left them alone together just after.
41
HUNTER
The sound of the door slamming shut behind Pandora reverberated through my office, an echo that matched the rhythm of my heartbeat. The scent of caramel lingered in the air, a reminder of Pandora and the taste of her lips on mine. I’d kissed her, and she’d kissed me…she’d also kissed Reed. But she was so sweet, honest, and perfect. My magic was worked up inside of me, swirling into a tornado of emotions.
Death’s sudden, violent grip on my throat snapped me back to the present. He loomed over me, his hands like a vice grip. “What the fuck was that? How long has that been going on?”
My breath hitched, a strangled sound escaping as Death siphoned a wisp of my soul, anger radiating from every pore of his being.
Fates, I was screwed.
“It just happened! I’ve cared for her from the moment I saw her, but it’s only now turned romantic,” I croaked out, but it wasn’t in pain. Only discomfort. It seemed he was keeping his promise to his daughter while still making me pay for kissing her.
“Why would you kiss her? She’s mydaughter!”A whimper pulled from his throat as his grip loosened. “Ijustfound her. I wasn’t able to protect her before, but I can now. I can protect her from heartbreak.”
“I think she's my fated mate,” I managed to gasp, the words barely a whisper.
“What do you meanthink?”Death’s grip loosened even further, but his eyes bore into me, searching, probing. “Why wouldn't the bond be in place then?”
“Magically malnourished?” I squeaked my theory.
“I suppose that would make sense,” Death conceded, releasing me and stumbling back to lean heavily against the desk. His figure, usually so imposing, seemed to deflate as he buried his face in his hands.
The room was quiet except for the sound of our labored breathing.
