“No, you’re fine! We…we were just…”
“Getting started,” Az cut in. “So, actually, it isn’t fine!”
“Az!” I smacked his arm, wrapping the sheet tighter around myself and crawling around him. “Really, it’s okay. Are you guys hungry? I can make you all some food and then come help.”
“I’d love some food,” Cal said, walking over to the sofa and flopping onto it.
Growling like a crazed beast, Az stood, covering himself with the quilt. Zura looked up at the ceiling, her pursed lips rising at the corners and her face turning even more red. I let out a soft laugh, rolling my eyes.
“Get out, Cal,” Az ordered. “Now.”
“I’ll bring you all some breakfast once it’s done,” I said through giggles, watching as Caleb winked at Azazel. A short fight broke out, with Az smacking Cal across the head and Cal retaliating by ripping the quilt from Az’s hands. Zura screamed, covering her eyes again.
“Stars-dammit, Cal! Get out!” Az shouted, cupping himself with both hands.
Caleb burst into snorting laughter, laying an arm over Zura’s shoulders. “Come on, Blondie, let’s leave the addicts to their vices.”
“Sorry,” Zura muttered to me as they left.
As soon as the door closed, Az ran over and locked it, pushing his hands into the wood and bending forward slightly. His ass really was so perfectly round.
“You owe me an orgasm,” he said as he stood, finger pointing at me.
I beamed his way, letting the sheet fall to the ground. “I’ve got food to cook.”
Eyes glinting in the stunning mixture of sunlight and tech, he ran at me. I darted out of his way, heading for the bathroom. He caught me around the waist before I made it five feet, swinging me around, my skin aching but my chest floating.
“Four tonight then,” he whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
We dressed quickly after that, donning as many layers as we could for the cold day. Once we were dressed, we hastily madeas many sandwiches as we could, deciding breakfast wouldn’t be as portable. By the time we were done, my mind had settled into an odd place. I knew magic was a problem, and I mourned Elite Bargain along with all who I’d lost before her. But now that I’d promised Az to stay, I needed to find another way to bring balance and safety back to Dajahim. To make the world right again.
“Before we go down there, I want to give you something.”
Surprised, I cocked my head. He stood there, his black sweater clinging to his torso, the low neckline revealing the brown shirt below. His silver hair was a perfect mess, the haircut he’d given himself a bit choppy but still handsome. Was he the gift? He looked like one.
While I would have taken him anytime, he did hold up his hand, revealing a small, black ring. It was shaped like a snake, similar to the one I’d stolen from him at Elite Academy. Tentatively, I reached out for it, grabbing the ring gently between two fingers. It was heavier than I thought it’d be, and it had been given tiny criss-crossing lines to mirror scales.
“Try it on,” he urged. So I slid it onto my center finger, finding it was an exact fit. The snake appeared to crawl up my digit, the dark surface shining in the light.
“It’s beautiful. Did you make it?”
“I did. Desi helped me source better materials, and she even procured me some texts on oxidizing. We found the sulfur here on the island to make the ring black.”
“Wow,” I said, awe painting my voice. I stroked the metal, feeling oddly nostalgic. Maybe because Celeste used to love to make me gifts.
“I know it’s a snake, and that sort of has implications. But…well…I wanted you to have something similar to the one you pawned like a maniac. You changed my life that night. I don’t think you realize the impact you and your family had on me.”
“I love it. So, so much,” I said, the emotions building in my sore throat. I leapt into him, wrapping my hands around his neck and ignoring the ache of my body. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he mumbled against my hair, holding me tightly. “I have a request though.”
Pulling back, I asked, “What is it?”
“After I couldn’t find you last night, I think I’m going to struggle to be away from you. There are very few reasons I would ever need to be, but I want to have a contingency plan in case. Would that be okay with you?”
“Yes, of course.” Tucking my hair behind my ear, I felt my cheeks heat, embarrassment painting me red. “I’m sorry for what I put you through. You were right, I didn’t think like I should have.”
He shook his head, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Just stay with me from here on out.”
