My beast paces my mind, urging me to make it better. And it’s not like I enjoy seeing her genuinely upset. Everything in me aches to pull her into my arms and hold her until she calms down.
At the same time, I don’t think I can take her side in this.
Not when it could ruin Laz’s life.
If he had broken the rules, I’d be ripping him apart tentacle by tentacle, but I heard herrepeatedlyverbalize consent.
She wasn’t coerced.
Not outside of a little playful teasing, but that’s always part of their dynamic when they’re on stage.
She continually spurred him on while he was laying his eggs. It’s only once she stepped off the stage that she freaked out.
Maybe I’m the wrong person to handle this?
I’m trying to be understanding, but if I was Laz, I would have taken her at her word too.
“You need to make a complaint with Aline if you feel Laz did something wrong,” I tell her, keeping my voice low.
A part of me feels for her, but I also can’t lie and say he broke the rules. From where I was standing, this went down by the book.
“Fine,” she says, sniffling. “I will.”
She takes off.
I dart my gaze around, looking for Laz.
He’s gone.
I curse under my breath.
I don’t even particularly like the guy, but my stomach still tightens when I put myself in his shoes.
What a fucking mess.
Chapter Three
Vivie
My face burns as I exit Aline’s office. I pull my shoulders back, tossing my hair away from my face.
Even if I’m crumbling on the inside, I need to keep a calm exterior. Except, there’s no way Laz doesn’t hate me for this, and my heart can’t handle that.
My stomach churns, and I dart down the hallway toward the bathroom. Fae don’t get sick in the same way humans do, but my anxiety is making me physically ill.
I’ve never told Laz that I love him.
Fae are cold by nature, likely because it’s beaten into our heads that emotion is the greatest form of weakness. That doesn’t change the fact that I have deep feelings for Lazarus. He’s gentle and kind and far too good for me.
And I went and ruined everything.
I’m so distracted that I don’t notice Saber as I come around the corner that leads to the bathrooms.
I squeak as he grabs my shoulders, shoving me against the wall. “What the hell?”
“Do you really feel like Laz crossed the line?” His gray eyes glow, and he keeps his voice low. “I need to know if I should have stepped in and stopped that.”
My heart sinks.
