“Then why didn’t you introduce yourself that way at the store?”
We start heading back in the direction of their house, since I can’t think of anything else to do.
“We have a fresh start here and I wasn’t about to start it off by being a liar,” he states simply, lifting one shoulder in a shrug.
After everything I’ve discovered over the last few days, I doubt he even knows how much I appreciate the sentiment. I could use a little blanket honesty; no sparing my feelings, no trying to bullshit yourself into looking better. I’d rather blunt truths even if they sting any day. The way Vyrian wears his heart on his sleeve is a breath of fresh air.
We make it back to their house and Soren practically forces me to take it easy lying on the couch. He just can’t seem to wrap his head around the fact I got stabbed in the leg, fractured two ribs, and spent the afternoon walking around town like nothing happened. Little does he know this is nothing compared to some of our training sessions, but it would only serve to piss him off worse if I pointed it out.
“You’re being a little overprotective here, Ren.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “You’re paying me to be your bodyguard. If you’re not going to let me intervene in your ‘training’ sessions, at least let me make sure you make a full recovery.” When he smirks, I assume he’s fully aware of the effect his words have on me.
The rest of the evening passes with me thoroughly enjoying their company, getting to know them a bit better and staying for dinner. When Caius comes home?
Priceless.
“Guys, I-“ he cuts off, eyes widening when he realizes I’m there.
He’s drenched in sweat, yet smells of pine, which is a good look on the man. He was in the middle of peeling his shirt off the second he walked in the door, leaving every last muscle on display.
“What are you doing here?” he demands.
I take another handful of chips before I answer him, drawing it out and making him sweat. “I’ve been abducted and put on bed rest, blame your flight.”
He turns to Yri and Ren, raising an eyebrow. Soren gives him the abridged version and his eyes cut to me, or more appropriately, all of my bandages. I’ve got to admit, as much as it’s unnecessary, it’s nice having people fret over me. I spend so much time trying to prove how absolutely amazing I am, that it’s a nice change of pace. Not that I’d say it to their faces and give them the wrong idea.
His blue eyes turn frigid, radiating the icy promise of death. He doesn’t say a word, nothing to give me a hint at where his thoughts are. As quickly as he arrived he disappears, the faint sound of the shower traveling down the hall.
When night falls, I know I need to quit avoiding the problem and go home. Yet, I just can’t seem to find the will to make my feet move. I know my brothers will be pissed, but right now? Fuck ‘em. What am I even supposed to say when I see them? ‘Hey, I know you lied to me my whole life, but it’s cool?’ It’s not. It fucking hurts that the people I trust and rely on more than anyone in this world pulled this shit.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
You could hear a feather fall, it’s so quiet. Neither Soren nor Vyrian answer right away, so I just start rambling in a bid to defend my case, but Soren cuts me off.
“You can take my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch,” he decides, and I release a heavy breath in relief.
“Thanks.”
An hour later I find myself tossing and turning in his massive bed, the scent of charcoal overwhelming my senses. As comforting as it is, it’s really fucking distracting.
This was a terrible idea, what was I thinking? The triplets are going to lose their shit. Do they even know where Vyrian lives? No, they would have shown up by now. Why wouldn’t Eli have blabbed? Fuck, I’m in over my head.
No. I’m a goddamn adult, and the triplets can suck a big, fat, dragon dick.
***
“What are you doing?”
Soren is slumped against the wall outside of the door to his room, looking far from comfortable.
“You were agitated. I couldn’t very well sleep, assuming someone was going to try barging into the house,” he defends, rubbing his eyes and making me feel insanely guilty.
What a nice, roundabout way of saying my wet dreams didn’t go unnoticed.
“Sorry.”
He gives me an amused smile. “Nothing to be sorry for, little dragon. Part of the job.”
