Once silence settles in, I resist the urge to vomit at the power that continues to churn in my chest. An unknown that could either save or destroy us.
CHAPTER 38
VALEN
Ava is not actinglike herself.
She’s trying to put on a façade of normalcy, but it isn’t working. I know her better than she thinks, and it pains me that she’s hiding her feelings.
It’s been a few days since we returned home, and if anything, she’s continued to recede farther into herself. I try to spark conversation and get her mind off things, but she gives simple responses in a way very unlike her. Her normally vibrant aura has been dimmer.
Sighing, I lean back on the couch and throw my forearm over my eyes.
What can I do to help?
Something butts into my leg, and I look down into wide brown eyes. Pom Pom stares up at me, eyes shining with love and tongue lolling out of his mouth. His little tail wags a mile a minute, and once he realizes I’m paying attention, he tries to climb up my pants, but his stubby legs won’t let him.
“Uppies?” I hold my hands out, and Pom Pom practically catapults into them. “Are you sad about your mom too?”
Animals are emotionally intelligent creatures, and the familiar has taken notice of Ava’s behavior. I’m curious whether, now that she’s unlocked her powers, she’ll be able to communicate with him like Jade said. When I brought it up, she immediately shot the topic down and scuttled away. Anything relating to magic is a no-go at the moment.
She’s scared, and I get that, but I wish my mate would talk to me. I don’t like that she’s shutting me out.
Pom Pom paws at my chest, and I know what he’s asking for since he’s been doing it since we got it.
“Hang on,” I soothe and reach for the item he desires beside the couch. Pulling the carrier over my head and setting the straps, I settle Pom Pom into it. “Comfy?” I ask, and he rests his head against my chest to gaze up at me.
The television in the background switches to another song on the playlist I put on earlier, and I stand. “Shall we dance?” The familiar yips, and I hold his two front paws, bopping them to the beat.
Just as we’re getting into the rhythm of the music, the door unlocks and Ava walks in. Her pink hair lays faded around her face, slightly limp. Normally one to dress up and style her hair, she’s been leaving it as is. Dark circles ring her eyes, and my heart constricts at the sight.
She hasn’t been sleeping and thinks she has me fooled on the matter since she keeps her eyes shut and her breaths even.
“Am I interrupting something?” She muses and clicks the door closed behind her. Her tone lacks any sarcastic bite.
“My dance partner wasn’t here, so Pom Pom had to jump in. Will you join us?” I hold out a hand and Pom Pom pants in excitement at her arrival.
Ava seems to wage a mental war, and I swear I see her handtwitch toward me. I try to tug on the mating bond that flickers between us, not fully formed yet, but she pulls away.
“I can’t. I have to do that thing,” Ava trails off, spinning a finger through the air, and I narrow my eyes.
“What thing?” I ask, inching closer, trying to push her to justtalkto me.
She slides farther away and attempts to circle around me to scurry to her room. “The thing that needs done,” Ava stutters. “You know,the thing.”
Her light blue eyes dart from me to the bedroom door, a plan formulating. Too bad for her, she’ll never get past without me intercepting. I set Pom Pom down in preparation.
“Try it,” I taunt, and a small spark of determination flares in her.
As soon as I see her foot lift off the floor, I’m in front of her, caging her in the corner of the kitchen and placing my hands above her head on the cabinets. Running my nose along her cheek, I breathe in her sweet scent.
“You can’t hide from me, Starlight.” Ava shivers beneath me and my inner predator preens at his prey being caught. “Let’s play a game.” I drag my nose along the column of her neck. She shivers and the smell of her arousal fills the air.
“Wh-What?” she stutters. “What kind of game?”
“A fun one,” I tease. “You give me an honest answer, and I’ll make you feel good.”
“Are you trading sexual favors for information?” she asks teasingly.
