Could I really leave him? I barely know him.
The door snicking open pulls my head, but it’s Ten coming back. I instantly worry at the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just… she seems so different. Lost. It’s only been a few months, and she’s unrecognisable. Talking in riddles.”
Will this day ever end?
“Come on. Let’s get back. It’s already late,” he says.
“Is it safe?” We’ve not heard anything.
“Well, that depends on if you trust me.”
“Of course I do.”
“Good. Then, we’re safe,” he declares as if it’s a fact. My eyes track his as they run over me, and it sends my stomach dropping through the floor in response.
He opens the door and beckons me through and back into the corridor, leading me towards the exit. Seeing the double doors to the entrance, my body seizes, shying away from the exit, and my pace slows. Suddenly, I don’t want to go anywhere. Not yet. Not tonight.
“I don’t want to go back tonight,” I admit as he reaches for the handle.
His hand stills, and he shifts to face me.
“Stay. We don’t have to leave.” He shrugs as if there’s no issue with my comment.
“Really?” Relief lifts my voice.
“At this point, I’m not sure what the Custodians could do to stop us considering what’s happened. Come.”
He turns down the other hallway, away from the sitting room where we met his mother and then opens another room.
His bedroom.
It’s huge.
Similar to my rooms when I first arrived. It’s like an apartment.
My eyes catch and stay on the bed in the far corner of the open plan room, framed by the equally grand and ornate arched window next to it.
My footsteps are tentative as they creep inside, nerves now happy to come out and dance.
“They keep your room for you?” I ask in part to distract me.
“I’ve not been back in here since training commenced. But it’s tradition. We don’t know what will happen after training or what our next assignment or task will mean for us. So, families keep rooms until after the fourth trial. And you don’t have to look so nervous.” He shuts the door behind me and manages to crowd my space, stealing my breath and bringing those early nerves to a riot. “You’re safe here. And I’m glad I won’t have to say goodnight. Because I know I’m not ready to leave you right now,” he whispers as he pulls back, his lips grazing my unruly hair.
“I’m not nervous.”
“I can feel you, Ever, even if I’m not touching you. I want you to feel safe with me.”
“The nerves aren’t because I’m scared.”I close my eyes and think of what I want to happen on that bed, picturing him.
Us.
“Ever,” he growls and turns from me, running his hands through his hair, just as I’m desperate to. “It’s been a really long fucking day. And I don’t want to take advantage…”
His hand gripping mine, his weight above my body, his lips on the hollow of my throat.I push the thoughts, focusing on him.
“Ever…” This time, my name sounds like a plea. It’s selfish to want this after what he said at dinner only moments ago. Nothing has changed, and I know this will be a huge risk, but it doesn’t stop me wanting it—wanting him.
