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He dug in, but Dryston’s gaze volleyed to Avenay, then the food again. He sat next to her.

“Nice headband,” he commented.

“Enid got it for me,” she said, the words feeling unreal. She had this sneaking suspicion that when it was all over, when they went home, they would part ways and this would be a dreamy memory only. But she’d have this headband as proof of these little moments and she’d treasure it.

Dryston hummed. “Buying her gifts.” He looked at Kaemon, who raised his brows.

“And stocking up on food for her.”

The brothers grinned at each other, then Enid, who had gone very, very still. She snarled at Dryston.

Interesting.

“Don’t you have a Hunter to go swap death threats with?”

Dryston shrugged. “I haven’t seen her since the first night. Thankfully.”

Avenay tilted her head as she took in Dryston’s face and posture as he said it. He stiffened, some warring emotions on his face. Onora certainly had a way of getting under his skin.

“I’m glad you’re well,” he said, turning back to Avenay. “Seeing you dead was devastating. You saved Enid, and for that, I’m forever indebted to you.”

Enid went stiff again, a sour look on her face.

“She stayed by your side anytime Cyrus wasn’t there,” Kaemon chimed in, taking a bite of the blue melon. “Practically had to drag her away this morning to eat.”

Enid glowered at him now, and he shrugged. A smile threatened and Avenay told herself not to. Instead, she should be neutral and unaffected. Cool and casual. But her traitorous lips tugged up, and she knew it was a stupid, dopey grin on her face. Enid’s snarl disappeared when she saw it, replaced by something similar.

Enid stood and grabbed Avenay’s hand, leading her away from the males. “Go bother someone else!” she called over her shoulder.

Their laughter followed them down the street. Enid shook her head as she wove them through the marketplace.

“What was that about?” Avenay asked.

“Dryston and Kaemon like to stick their nose in everyone’s business. It’s a uniquely demonic trait.” She rolled her eyes.

“They love you very much.”

“Too much. I need peace.”

Avenay laughed and Enid stared at her, eyes dipping to her mouth and back up, and suddenly breathing was difficult. “You stayed by my side while I was recovering?”

Enid nodded, her gaze darting away as she chewed her lower lip. “I had to know you were okay.”

“Why? Surely a daily check in with Cyrus would have been enough.”

They moved up the street and to a deserted alleyway overgrown with flowers and bushes.

“No. I needed to feel your breath to know it was real.” Silence for a beat. “I held your dead body in my arms.” Her voice cracked, and Avenay halted, making Enid face her.

She had no words to say, as usual. She was absolutely useless when it came to matters of emotions. What irony to be fluent in so many languages and still no words ever aided her.

So instead, she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed Enid. It was gentle at first, a soft brush of lips on lips, a gentle graze of teeth. ThenEnid’s hands were grasping the back of Avenay’s head, guiding her into a secret alcove, pressing her against a stone wall, violently moving her lips in tandem with Avenay’s own passion. Her hand moved to Avenay’s waist, pressing against her, and Avenay couldn’t handle this slowness, this lingering. She took a hand to Enid’s horn and gripped it, rubbing, and Enid loosed a moan in her mouth, her wings shuddering around them. Her hands swept up to Avenay’s breasts, palming them, making Avenay whimper.

Enid broke her mouth away for a breathless second. “What is this?”

“I…” Avenay didn’t know what to say. If she said just sex, it was a boldface lie. Even if it was ultimately only that, her heart veins were already tangling with Enid’s in a way that would bleed her out in a devastating way when it ended.

Inevitably.