Page 21

Luka said nothing else, just held up his middle finger over his shoulder as he left the kitchen.

Axel huffed a laugh, but it died in his throat as he knocked back the shot of alcohol. What was he going to do with Katya tonight? He’d been avoiding her ever since he’d gone back to get her after the Emerging Ceremony. Limping and bloody, he’d returned to that warded room he’d left Kat in before going tohelp Tessa. She’d been standing in almost the same spot he’d left her, but he’d been so injured and so weak. It had taken every ounce of self-control not to take from her because her blood could have fixed everything.

Instead, he’d roughly told her to come with him, hadn’t said a word the entire way to the townhouse, and had dumped her in his room before going to the Arius manor house where Luka had helped him clean up. They’d all had fresh Fae blood waiting for them, and Axel knew the cost of that favor was still yet to be paid.

And other than escorting Katya to and from the townhouse each day, Axel hadn’t spoken to her. He’d seen her, of course. He’d watched some of her training and taken longer paths to his destinations to catch glimpses of her. He always knew when she was nearby, that damn scent of hers calling to him—jasmine and citrus and something smoky with underlying spices—but being around her made him feel… He didn’t know how to describe it, but there was too much at stake and too much other shit to figure out right now. This odd feeling was at the bottom of a very long list.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Axel shoved through his door when he reached the second floor. Kicking it closed behind him, he yanked his unknotted tie from his neck, tossing it off to the side. Then he went still at what stood before him.

Katya was motionless, clearly surprised at him being here. Her amber eyes were wide. Her black, curly hair looked like it had been braided back in a haste, several curls falling free around her face. She was wearing the same pants and long-sleeve shirt they wore for their element training. Close fitting yet still loose enough to move, the outfit hugged all those curves that taunted him every time he looked at her.

In one hand, she held an open book. Her other hand was wrapped around the handle of…a spoon? A spoon that was stillbetween her lips. There was classical music playing softly. She must have figured out his music system.

She still hadn’t moved, and Axel supposed he couldn’t blame her. He was never here at night, and she had clearly become somewhat comfortable in the space.

Something warmed in his chest at the thought of her feeling safe enough to relax inhisroom, and it had the corner of his mouth tilting up as he started to unbutton the cuffs of his shirt sleeves. His eyes stayed fixed on hers when he said, “Hello, kitten.”

The sound of his voice seemed to snap her out of her shock. She pulled the spoon from her mouth, the book snapping closed, and, gods, she looked like she was about to kneel.

“Don’t do that,” he said in a rush, stepping further into the room. Then his gaze landed on an open jar on the side table near the sofa. “Are you…eating peanut butter with a spoon?”

Katya slowly set the book and spoon on the same end table, her eyes downcast, but Axel could see the faint blush even on her dark skin when she said, “Yes, my Lord.”

“Out of the jar?”

“I apologize?—”

“Don’t apologize,” he said.

Her mouth snapped shut, and she clasped her hands in front of her, waiting.

Axel inexplicably wanted to throw something.

“I have to stay in here tonight,” he said, toeing off his shoes and kicking one off to the left and the other across the room. That Ford fucker could clean up the mess he left behind.

Her head tilted curiously to the side. “I thought this was your room?”

“It is.” She only nodded, but Axel could practically see her biting her tongue on her questions. “You can speak freely here, Kat.”

Still she didn’t speak again, and Axel held in his sigh. Tessa couldn’t control her mouth, and he couldn’t get Katya to speak.

“Enjoy your peanut butter,” he murmured, moving past her to finish undressing in the bathroom. He needed to shower, and admittedly, he was looking forward to sleeping in his own room for the first time in days.

“Wait,” she called as he started to shut the bathroom door.

“Yes?” He paused at the button he was working through the hole.

“What am I…” She cleared her throat, shifting on her feet. She was still wearing the training boots too. “What do you want me to do?”

“Whatever you were doing before I came in here,” he answered. Then glancing at the boots again, he added, “Although if you want to get more comfortable, you can.”

She nodded, something flickering across her features. But Axel was more than ready for his shower, so he said nothing else, closing the door with a click.

He lingered in the shower, letting the hot water soothe tense muscles and relishing in the buzz of full power reserves. This would all work out. Theon would figure out Tessa’s lineage. Surely Cienna would have ideas as long as she was in a helpful mood when they went to visit in a week’s time.

Axel was feeling far more relaxed when he stepped from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his narrow hips and steam billowing out around him. He was starting to mentally go through his agenda for tomorrow as he made his way to the walk-in closet, and then his bare feet stilled against the carpet.

Katya was standing there wearing nothing. Her head was bowed, hands clasped, and his mouth completely dried out because those were full breasts and hips perfect for digging fingers into. Those were soft curves, and suddenly it was visionsof those lips being wrapped around something other than a spoonful of peanut butter andfuck.