Then we’re whisked away.
THIRTY-FOUR
Monster Realm Survival Tip #10:
Know your strengths. Eliminate your weaknesses.
CELINE
I want Ciprian and Alistair back safe.
I want Malach to fucking talk.
And I want Luca to want the bond.
I want... Gods, I want a lot, and I don’t think I’m able to settle for less.
Luca eyes me warily, and I cross my arms. “Relax, I’m not going to pin you to the wall and bite you.”
He winces. “That’s not?—”
“Pretend I didn’t say that, please,” I groan. “I’m trying to be patient and understanding. I gave myself a whole lecture earlier—treat Luca the way Luca treats you: sweet, steady, reassuring. Instead, I snap your head off the second you look at me sideways.”
“I’m looking at you head-on, baby.”
And he is. The wariness is gone, and he’s watching me like he sees me, like I matter, like he’ll neverlook away.
“I’m sorry—” we speak at the same time, and I blink.
“Why are you sorry?” Luca asks.
“For not giving you space to process this without pressure. I know you have a hard time accepting the basilisk.”
He nods slowly. “I’m working on that.” His lip ring disappears into his mouth, and the familiar gesture erases some of my awkward self-consciousness. “It... shit, hang on—I’m trying something new—hedoesn’t want to hurt you.”
I nod. I’ve known that for a long time, but now isn’t the time to say I told you so.
“Ciprian did the stupidest fucking thing.” Luca rakes his hand through his hair.
“I heard.” I smile. “How did that make you feel?”
“Panicked, pissed, I wanted to wring his neck, but I was so worried he was about to collapse at my feet and foam at the mouth, I couldn’t.”
Right, because Luca would never hurt Ciprian. No matter how mad or frenzied or checked out he got, he wouldn’t forget to treat him kindly. He’s the most caring person I know. That’s exactly why we all trust him.
“Ciprian took a risk,” I say gently. “To prove you’re not a monster.”
Luca nods. “Yeah, I guess he did.”
I take a deep breath, and my eyelashes flutter. “It’s a risk I’m willing to take too, Luca. You’re mine. I’m yours. And I will take a basilisk’s bite a million times over if that’s what it takes to prove to you that we’re inevitable.”
“But we’re not fated, Celine?—”
“Fuck fate,” I snap. “Do I strike you as a person who wants magic interfering with her love life? I found you. I befriended you. I fucked you. And I fell in love with you too. I did all that, with some help from you, of course, but I don’t want some crusty old hands to get credit for our story.”
Luca’s lips twitch, then he shakes his head. “You lost me at the hands.”
“You know, the hands of fate.”
