Page 126

“Come on,” Xar says, already pulling on his coat. “Weather’s holding. Let’s walk the boundary while it’s still clear.”

Dane hands me my jacket – even though I swear I’ve never seen him actually carry it – and zips it up for me, fingers brushing too long at my collar.

This time all three of them gripe about my lack of a proper winter coat and I snicker.

Outside, the sky is steel-grey, the cold biting but bearable with the three of them flanking me like a wall of warmth. Blaise continues to grumble about my lack of proper outerwear, until Xar throws a scarf around my neck and tugs it snug.

“Better?” he asks, voice low.

I nod, suddenly too aware of how close he is.

We walk the length of the property, boots crunching through patches of frost. The wind whips my hair around my face, but I barely notice. Blaise keeps brushing his fingers against mine like he’snottrying to hold my hand. Dane points out an old stone wall, with ivy growing through the cracks. Xar stays quiet, but every time I look at him, he’s already watching me.

Eventually, I sigh and stop, turning into the wind. “Okay, you’ve walked me. Now can I go into my own lounge?”

“Nope,” Blaise says again, annoyingly smug. “Time for a hot drink and nest time.”

And honestly? I’m not even mad about it.

Back inside, the scent of cinnamon and pine fills the house. I peel off my jacket and make a beeline for the nest, already pulling off my socks. The blankets are warm, the pillows soft and familiar, and within seconds, I’m tucked between them.

Dane disappears into the kitchen – probably making tea. Xar heads upstairs, murmuring something about taking a shower. Blaise, of course, flops down beside me like he owns the place, tossing one of the smaller pillows behind his head and pulling me into his side.

“Comfortable?” he asks.

I hum, resting my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Mm. For now.”

His fingers trace patterns on my arm. “You’ve no idea what’s coming, do you?”

I lift my head, suspicious. “Whatisgoing on in the lounge?”

“You’ll see,” he says. “Tomorrow.”

I groan and bury my face against him, even as my heart thuds with anticipation. Something about this day – aboutthem– feels like it’s wrapping itself around me in slow, soft layers. Trust. Want.Something more.

I close my eyes and breathe it in.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

But for tonight – I’m content.

The sound of footsteps draws my attention just before the warm, familiar scent of dark cherrywood, musk and amber hits me.

Dane.

He steps into the nest carrying a tray with four mugs, steam curling in the air above them.

“Hot chocolate,” he says simply, and I blink in surprise.

“You remembered,” I murmur, sitting up as he sets the tray on the edge of the nest.

His brow lifts. “Course I did. You said you don’t usually indulge your sweet tooth, so I figured…Christmas Eve is as good a time as any.”

The words shouldn’t make my eyes sting. But they do. No one’s ever remembered things like that about me before. Not the things I downplay. Especially not the things I quietly deny myself.

I take the mug he offers, fingers wrapping around the warmth. There’s whipped cream, marshmallows, and even a little dusting of cinnamon on top. I don’t even bother with words. Just lean into his side and press a kiss to his cheek.

Then I take a sip. Sweet. Silky. Perfect.