“I didn’t have to bring you here,” Vail growled. “I could have?—”
“You could have what, Vail?” Draven challenged. “Pretty sure she would have fucked Demetri before you.”
Vail’s growl gained a sharp edge. “Do not speak his name.”
“Oh, so now you get protective?”
“Enough,” I snapped, opening my eyes and blinking slightly to shrug off the last of the blissful peace I’d found. I was in Draven’s lap with his arms wrapped around my waist and chest while Vail stood on the other side of the cell, blood dripping from his fingers like he was about to open it.
“You want to prove yourself, Vail?” My expression hardened. “Get the fuck out and give us five minutes alone.”
“You don’t think straight around him.” Vail stubbornly clenched his jaw. “He’s half Fae, Samara. There’s nothing about him that’s safe.”
I shot him an incredulous look. “You’re the reason I’m in this fucking cell, Vail!”
“And it’s not like she thinks straight around you either,” Draven pointed out. “As far as I’m concerned, you are the greatest threat to Samara, because for some reason, she keeps forgiving you, even when you don’t deserve it. If anyone could come back from this epic fuck up, it would be you.”
“Unlikely.” My annoyed glare slid to Draven. “He doesn’t deserve forgiveness.”
“What he deserves and what you will do are likely two different things.” He shrugged.
The face I’d found so kissable minutes ago, I now wanted to punch. Based on the way he chuckled against my neck as he planted a kiss there, he knew exactly what I was feeling. Gods, I’d forgotten how much of a troublemaker he could be. He and Kieran together would be incredibly aggravating.
And hot.
The lust started to rise again, so I shoved that thought away. My mind was temporarily clear, and I needed to take advantage of that while Draven was here.
“Five minutes, Vail,” I said firmly. “You fucking owe me.”
“Fine,” he ground out. “Not a second more.” Vail pointed at Draven. “And you will return to your cell when I get back without any tricks.”
“Sure thing, Marshal.”
“He will,” I promised and twisted enough to give Draven a warning look. A chastised grin quickly appeared on his face, but it was far too mischievous for it to be convincing.
After a few tension-filled seconds, Vail stalked towards the door that led out to the stairwell.
“Vail.”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder at me.
I held a hand against the center of my chest, the place where I always felt this strange connection to him. “I’ll know if you linger outside that door and try to listen.”
A storm rolled through his grey eyes, but he jerked his head in a sharp nod before leaving and shutting the door behind him. I felt his presence move farther away, like the invisible rope between us was thinning. It was the first time I’d acknowledged its existence to him, but I knew he was aware of it. Occasionally, when he’d be down here with me—usually glowering at the floor—he’d idly rub his chest in the exact same spot where I felt it.
I still had no idea what it was or how to break it. It always gave me an idea of where Vail was and what he was feeling, but it also gave him the same information about me.
Draven gripped my waist and lifted me before turning me and resettling me on his lap so towards him. Then he raised his hands to cup my face before brushing his lips against mine. It was a sweet kiss, and for some reason, it made me want to cry. I kissed him back before leaning my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat like it had all the answers I needed.
“Do you know of any other exits down here?” I asked, keeping my voice low. Draven had grown up in this House. If anyone knew another way out, it would’ve been him.
“None that I’m aware of, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.” His arms wrapped loosely around my waist, and he rested his head on top of mine. “Prior to our current situation, I haven’t spent much time down here. The iron bothers me.”
“Because you’re half Fae.”
“Yes.” I could almost hear the question he wanted to ask, but he didn’t, so I settled it for both of us.
“And so am I.” It felt odd to say that out loud, like I was finally putting away the last of my denial.
