“Paid? How much?”
“A lot.”
“Fuck. Nothing about this is right,” he mutters. “And Ev, you know I would have paid your rent if you needed me to. You don’t need some monster to help you.” His voice carries a soft, aching sadness.
My chest tightens in response. “I know. I’m sorry I had to tell you this way.”
He turns his head away and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m pissed at you right now and at your stupid decision to do this, but check in with me, please. I need to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, I will.”
He glowers at the two Vyastil lingering in the doorway and then shakes his head and stalks off. I don’t know where he’s going, but he wants to get away. I don’t blame him. He’s disappointed in me. Exactly like I knew he would be.
Quilliyn glances at Rathyn, and their tails twine for a second before they’re released. Rathyn nods and steps toward me as Quilliyn stalks off in the direction Zane vanished.
“Is it settled?” he asks.
I give him a stern glower. “I told you not to follow me inside.”
“This part of town is not safe for fragile humans.”
“First of all, this is the gym I’ve been coming to for years. And second, I’m not that fragile! I work out and eat my vegetables. Mostly. But seriously…” I huff and then poke him in the chest. “Next time, listen to me. I mean it.”
His gaze falls to the finger on my chest, and I feel the ripple of his skin beneath me, the thumping of his hearts.
“I will think about it. Now, are you ready to go home? It is getting late, and I still need my fifteen?—”
“You’ll be lucky if you get anything,” I say, cutting him off. His ears flick, and I narrow my eyes. “I’m serious. I’m so mad at you right now.”
His gaze darkens, and his ears droop slightly. “I don’t understand. It is my job to protect my companion.”
“Oh my hell. I just told you I don’t need protecting here. You obviously don’t listen.” I fling my hands up and then stride past him. “Whatever. This is pointless. Let’s get out of here.”
I stomp out of the gym and toward the waiting car. I’m upset at him for doing exactly what I asked him not to do, but I also get it. He’s not human. He doesn’t understand how we work. I just hope he’s going to try in the future because this will not be sustainable.
Outside of the gym, it’s almost too bright, and I squint against the sun as I try to find the car. It’s not far, and I start to take a step off the curb when strong, clawed hands pull me against a broad, humming chest. An e-bike zips past exactlywhere I’d been standing. It would have destroyed me if Rathyn hadn’t been there.
I curse as I watch it disappear into traffic, and Rathyn hums darkly behind me. The sound coming from his chest is dangerous. His tail winds around my waist as he holds onto me tightly.
“Everest. There is a proverb on Erethar.” His voice is low, a deep tune. “Never walk in anger.”
I breathe deeply through my nose and then exhale. I don’t want to tell him thank you. I don’t want to tell him that whole thing just scared the shit out of me, and I was glad he was there. Instead, I square my shoulders, then pull away from him. “Fine, let me go, and I will walkhappilyto the car.”
His tail constricts tightly around me for a brief second, but then it slowly unwinds, almost reluctant to let go. We walk side by side toward the car, and he ushers me inside, his tail winding around my calf the moment he slips in beside me.
“I’m still mad at you,” I tell him, and his gaze slides from me to the passing lights.
He says nothing, and we drive the rest of the way to his loft in silence.
By the time we make it home, I’m slightly less angry. Zane messaged me to say he loves me and just needs some time, but it’s made me feel less upset by this whole thing.
I’m still pissed at Rathyn for disregarding my wishes and being overbearing, but by the way he’s sulking near the couch when I finally kick off my shoes and move to the kitchen for something to eat, I can’t help but feel a little sorry for him. He’sbeen shooting my crotch longing looks and making tiny, sad trills every time I look away.
Maybe I’ll let him give me one blow job.
Just one.
As a peace offering, but only after I get some fuel in my system.
