Evie moved over so she could rest her head against Natalya’s shoulder. Natalya put her arms around her, pulling her close.
She was a little startled by how calming the act was. Before Evie, she hadn’t really held anyone. It required such intense focus that it was nigh unbearable. With Evie, it was the simplest thing. It was relaxing.
“I’m meeting with a Night vampire,” Natalya said, and Evie stiffened at the words. “A man named Hasan Khara. He’s an envoy from the East Coast.”
“Why are you meeting with him?”
“He wasn’t forthcoming on the details. Suggests there’s more at play than just pleasantries.” She kissed the side of Evie’s head. “I’ll be alright. Like I said, it’s just a meeting.”
“Is that all you’re worried about?”
Natalya sighed. Rather than look at Evie, she looked ahead at the club beyond the Lounge.
What was she going to say? She couldn’t ask Evie about being hers now.Especiallynot now. Not with what they’d just done. It wouldn’t be right.
And the fear filled her too. Fear that Evie would say no. Or worse, that she would feel forced to say yes.
Did Evie even know what the contracts were? Natalya wasn’t sure if they were ever mentioned to her outside her first day in the high-rise. Maybe she thought it just meant protection, and that was it. Maybe she’d want it when she learned what it was. Maybe she’d be scared and run.
Maybes, maybes, maybes. Natalya never worried like this before Evie came into her life.
“Natalya?” Evie put a hand on her waist, reclaiming her attention. “Please talk to me.”
Evie trusted so openly. She worried so honestly. It made Natalya’s chest ache to see her so concerned. It made her dare to hope.
“What do you know about our Ribbon contracts?”
The words sent ice down Evie’s spine. She’d heard a little about the contracts from Lily, and though she didn’t know much, she knew enough that they scared her. They made her remember her old chamber at Varro’s. The clothes she’d been made to wear. The tattoo on her ribs. All things forced on her by the man who owned her.
“It’s the Claimed thing.” She tried to sound confident, but her meek voice betrayed her. “A human is Claimed by someone at Court, and then they protect them. And then the human lets them…”
Evie couldn’t say the words.Feedonthemandfuckthemwas what she was thinking. The thought made her blood run cold. It made her afraid as well as worried.
“Do I have to do that?” she said quickly. “Have someone Claim me? If I want to stay? I know you have rules here, but if it means that I’ll be owned again, then—”
“Evie, stop.” Natalya grabbed her chin, making her stop talking. “Never. You hear me? Youneverhave to be owned again. You belong to yourself before anyone else. You don’t have to be Claimed if you don’t want to be.”
“I don’t want to be.” Evie’s voice was shaking. “It would be like before. It would feel like at the estate. I can’t do that. Please. Natalya, don’t make me—”
“Evie.” Natalya’s voice was stern, and it silenced her panicked ramble before it could begin in earnest. “I will never make you do anything you don’t agree to first. I will always respect your decision to stop. And I willneverforce you to do somethingagainst your will, including being Claimed. Never. Do you understand me?”
Evie’s breathing was uneven. Just the thought of beingownedagain had nearly made her panic. Natalya’s hold on her chin, firm but gentle, and her beautiful eyes made her calm down.
She nodded slowly.
“Do you believe me too?” Natalya asked.
That was a more difficult question. Or it should be, perhaps. Evie knew the answer immediately.
“I do. I believe you.” She was relieved for a moment. Right up until Natalya let go of her chin. “Why did you ask about the contracts?”
Natalya’s stern expression faded, a gentle smile appearing in its place. A smile that looked sorrowful. It was a brief thing, quickly replaced with a mask of calm.
“No reason. None for right now anyway,” Natalya said. “I’m already late. And I do actually have to go.”
“Oh. Right.” Evie had forgotten Natalya was on her way out the door when they went to the Royal Lounge.
They fixed themselves to be presentable before heading down the stairs again. Before they parted, Natalya leaned close enough that her lips brushed against Evie’s ear.
