“I was sleeping, so I didn’t hear the snoring, but you definitely drooled on Kyzen.”
“Oh damn.” He snickers. “My bad.”
His brothers roll their eyes at him as he bounds over to the table and plops down in a chair at the exact moment a mug is placed in front of me.
Kyzen’s warm lips dust my forehead and my lashes flutter.
“Where’s Amick’s ass? There’s no way he’s still snoozing,” Riven asks.
My attention darts to Amick’s door, then at the lack of response coming from Kyzen and Creed.
“Where is he?” I ask.
“He had a meeting this morning and said he’d be back before lunch. He should be home any minute now.”
My relieved breath is short-lived.
He had a meeting with the Chancellors today.
My fingers wrap around my mug, and my nails clank against the porcelain a few times before I bring it to my lips. The movement makes me acutely aware of the tension in my back, but the warmth of the drink soothes the lingering ache in my throat.
I take another slow sip as the guys settle into a heavy quiet. The type that screams, we’re watching everything you do and every reaction you make.
My hands are steady.
My breathing is even.
My chest feels full and content with the tight knot in my soul gone.
My mind is a little loud. It’s making it a tad hard to focus completely, but I’m not confused or foggy.
I’m sitting with them at the table rather than curled in my bed or sobbing on the ground.
So this is a win. They can calm down.
I, of course, don’t say that to them. It’s clear their apprehension is coming from a place of worry.
“So,” I start, but a vibration passes across my skin.
We all shift and stare toward the entrance of the house.
The air rushes from my lungs when my gaze falls on Amick.
Thank fuck any minute literally meant any minute.
He crosses the space, eyes locked on me like his brothers aren’t even here. My head tilts back as he stands and stares down at me.
“You look rested,Mysenta.”
I swallow.
“Hey, Candyman.”
He hums and leans down. Without a second thought, I turn into him, sealing his lips to mine rather than my cheek. Warmth spreads from my toes to my scalp and my soul sings in my chest.
His surprise washes away in less than a breath, and I shudder as he cups both my cheeks. I give myself over fully to his embrace and let the rest of the realm fade away.
My eyes stay shut even as he pulls back. His lips still dust across mine as he speaks low.
