That made Evie laugh again. “You’re mean.Andbossy.”
Natalya joined the laughter, though hers was briefer and lighter than Evie’s. Still, it was a rare sound. One this woman produced easier than anyone.
She ran her fingers through Evie’s hair as she leaned against her leg. Evie was relaxed enough that a nudge of calm could have sent her over into sleep, even with the club music still blaring.
“Do you really have to go?” Evie asked after a long moment. Her voice wouldn’t have been audible to most people. Natalya heard her easily.
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m just… worried. The last time you went out, you got shot.”
“And do you remember how that affected me?”
“It didn’t. I guess.” Evie put an arm around Natalya’s leg. “Sorry. I’m just worried.”
“Is that all it is?”
Evie leaned more of her weight against Natalya. “No. You’ve been busy lately. I miss you.”
Natalya had been annoyed with Evie’s comments at the bar, partly because it was in public and partly because she disliked when people told her she shouldn’t go somewhere.
For most creatures, the need to have Natalya nearby came from the possessiveness her being instilled in them. It made them want to keep her close so they could watch her. Yearn for her and dream of what it would be like to be with her.
Evie was afraid Natalya might get shot again. She was just worried. And shemissedher, of all things.
“It’s only a meeting. It’s not dangerous,” Natalya said.
“Who are you meeting with?”
The question reminded Natalya of the conversation she’d just had with Aleksander, and she tensed.
She’d done it again. Same as the dance studio, she’d come to see Evie with a purpose far from sexual, and then it had turned intothis.It started guilt in her again, a guilt she had to remind herself was unwarranted. Though she could summon desire with an accidental look, it didn’t work like that with Evie. Knowing that made the feeling fade. Then just nervousness remained.
The box with the purple Chain pendant was still in her pocket, suddenly heavy and impossible to ignore. She’d effectively disobeyed a direct order from Aleksander by taking Evie to the Royal Lounge. It hadn’t seemed important. All she wanted was to be with Evie, and with that, her orders were easily forgotten.
From the floor, Evie turned to look at her. She’d stopped stroking Evie’s hair as she thought.
“Is something wrong?”
By reflex, Natalya gave her a calming smile. “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
“But it is a concern?”
Evie’s ability to catch the hint of information in what people said and did was as frustrating as it was impressive.
“Nothing is wrong, darling,” Natalya said more sternly. It was a voice that usually made people lose theirs. It usually did that to Evie, at least when Natalya donned her Mistress mantle.
But the mantle was off, and Evie was worried. She moved from the floor to sit next to Natalya on the couch.
“Is it something I did?” Evie said. “Or is it Court stuff? And you can’t talk about it?”
Evie wasn’t asking if something was wrong anymore. She’d seen the answer to that on Natalya’s face, and now she wouldn’t let it go. An annoying skill that Natalya had used on Evie more than once.
She gestured Evie closer. “Come here.”
When Evie looked hesitant, Natalya gave her a smile.
“I just want to hold you, darling. Just for a little while.”
