“Could have guessed it,” Orion says with a sigh, moving his gaze away from Anton and back to me. “You hear it all the time with these first loves – they get the girls young, get them wrapped up in a promise –““Hey!” I gasp, utterly offended. “Blythe is not like that –““Oh, that is precisely what h
Orion huffs a laugh, sitting back, clearly not giving into my demands so easily. “Yeah, I’m not doing that.”“Orion,” I say, quite peaceful and sweet, attempting to channel all the Ariel Sinclair I can. “You want to marry me, right?”He goes still and so does Anton, confused by this change in tactic
“Oh, it’s fine that you’re going on a date, Orion,” I say, sitting up straight and lying through my teeth, my pride giving me the boost I need. “I’m just…surprised.”I don’t miss, at all, how carefully Anton is watching me.“What,” Orion says, smirking as he pulls on his jacket. “Did you think I was
I let my eyes drift shut, breathing out a long breath, as the details snap into place. Because I know the story, of course – my parents told me about it. About Ariel’s friend, who jumped in front of the knife that a traitor Cadet pulled on her, who took the blow that was aimed at my sister and died
“Hey, Davis,” the woman says, wrinkling a pert little nose at him. “Sorry you’re dead, but if it helps, you look really sexy in sparkly blue ghost-light.”“Faiza,” Anton says quietly, his voice low and humming as his face breaks into a beautiful smile. “You’re a venomous little surprise, as always.
But all my hate for Faiza is wiped away and turned on Anton himself the moment he flicks his eyes to me, wicked. “Wishing you’d saved your little crush veto?” he murmurs. “Laila not looking so bad right now?”My snarl turns into a very real growl as I glare at him and then turn the expression on Fai
“Am I allowed to ask why we’re not welcome at the temple?” I raise my chin as I glare at Faiza.Slowly Faiza smiles and then shakes her head.“But,” I hesitate, glancing over at Anton, who stares at Faiza quite seriously. “How will we –“Faiza sighs and holds out her hand, palm flat to the ceiling.
The next morning I wake up before Anton, but that’s not a surprise anymore. “Lazy wolf,” I murmur, lifting a hand to flick at his nose. He wrinkles the feature and just frowns, turning his face away from me, still asleep and making me smile.I grin at him and then sigh, glad that we’re back on good