“That’s because you turn it into a bird’s nest,” Zuri says, snorting when she sees Reverie sitting criss-cross on Asher’s head like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“Not my fault your chubby fingers are too big for my braids,” Reverie says, primly straightening her spine as she continues to thread her hands through the hair around her, fluffing it into a nice little nest.
“You’re going to have glitter in your hair for days now,” I warn, and Asher holds in a grimace.
“I don’t mind,” he says, and though it’s clearly a lie, he doesn’t make any move to change his fate, instead opting to let Reverie continue her antics. I fall for him all the harder for it, watching how careful he is with her and doing everything in his power to ensure she’s comfortable in his presence.
After another round of ‘Go Fish’ in which Zuri plays with a noticeably different attitude and Asher has channeled his own vampiric hearing into a skill he can abuse, I put on some music in an attempt to curb the competitive cheating. The third round ends in a draw between the two of them. Zuri grins wickedly at the tied count and promptly challenges him to a game of Speed, her favorite.
Asher matches her grin with one of his own, and his eyes sparkle at the challenge.
“Fastest vampire wins,” Zuri says, shuffling thecards and then handing them to me to cut and deal without breaking eye contact with Asher. “Good luck, lover boy.”
Asher’s eyes flash at the taunt. “Hope you’re ready to lose in about eight seconds flat.”
I count down from three, and their hands are such a blur I can’t even follow the movements. I gasp and Reverie screeches, neither of us having seen Zuri truly unleash herself like this. Zuri cackles as her hands fly back and forth, while Asher’s eyes are narrowed in concentration.
“SPEED!” Zuri shouts in triumph as she throws her empty hands in the air, and Asher purses his lips.
His jaw ticks once as my wide eyes turn to him; he has two cards left in his hand. For a second, I’m worried he might be a sore loser, but he simply tosses the cards down and licks a fang, angling his head for a moment before a rueful smile emerges.
“You got me, you’re a quick one,” he says, and Zuri strikes a pose while Reverie flits around pretending to take her picture.
I’m thankful I’m sitting on the floor when the vampires exchange a grin, else I’d have fallen straight out of my seat. Reverie catches it too and she hoots a cheer.
Deciding this is a good time to call it quits while they’re all still in good moods, I stand with a stretch.
“Well, I’m gamed out for today,” I say. “I hate to kick you out, Ash, but I’ve got some chores and things to finish up.”
He nods with a soft smile, and I’m grateful for his understanding. I want some time without him around to talk to Zuri and Reverie, and hopefully since things ended up going well we can all get together again soon.
Asher neatly packs up the cards and sets the box back on the coffee table, then grabs the empty glasses and cheese board and strides into the kitchen. Zuri watches all of this with a raised brow, turning her skeptical look on me.
“I told you,” I whisper. “He’s a good one.”
A few minutes later, after he finishes taking care of our dirty dishes because somehow he’s turning out to be absolutely perfect, I walk Asher down the corridor to the elevator.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice earnest as I meet his gaze.
“Anything for you, sunshine,” he replies. “I think it ended up going well?”
“You let her win, didn’t you?” I say, pinching my lips between my teeth to hold in a smile.
Asher chuckles and shakes his head. “I didn’t, actually. That was all her.”
“Really?” I’m surprised. From what I’ve heard, the old-blood vampire families are supposed to be the strongest when it comes to vampiric abilities, and that includes speed. He should have beat her easily, but maybe her experience with the game gave her the edge. He shrugs.
“She won, fair and square.”
I narrow my eyes, not sure if I believe him, but ultimately deciding it doesn’t matter.
“And you won’t tell anyone about Reverie?” I whisper, a bit of anxiety leaking into my words.
“I won’t.” Asher cups my jaw. “Raya, I won’t ever speak of her with anyone but you, and even then, only in person. I won’t even speak about her with Zuri if you aren’t there.”
That’s taking it a couple steps further than I would have, and my heart blooms with warmth at his consideration. Tipping up on my toes, I pull him down for a lingering kiss, reveling in the feel of his stubble as it scrapes against my palm before he steps into the elevator.
I practically soar through clouds of joy as I walk back down the hall to my apartment, which is only accentuated when I open the door and am promptly attacked by Reverie.
