Page 98 of Bellamy

He knew me well. Then again, he’d been my best friend for the past few thousand years.

“Phoenix finally woke up.”

“Yeah? Did he say what happened?” A low murmuring then came from his end of the line. Warrin. It was followed by what sounded like a quick kiss. “Sorry about that. We’re about to go to Nikolai’s for dinner.”

“Oh. We can talk later. No big deal.”

“No. We’re gonna talk right now. So talk.”

I stepped out onto the front porch and closed my eyes as a morning breeze came up from the sea. When I opened them again, I saw a ray of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds. “He tried to kill Asa. That’s why he was hurt.”

“Seriously? He thought he could take Asa on by himself? He’s lucky he didn’t lose his head.”

“I know.” A lump wedged in my throat, and I cleared it. I walked down the steps and approached the grassy overhang beside the sea. The early September morning had a chill, proof that the end of summer was fast approaching. I exhaled a shaky breath. “Fuck, D. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he died. I said I didn’t want him. I told him to leave. But now… I just want to hold him in my arms.”

“Then hold him,” Daman said. “Simple as that. Fuck everything else. Fuck anyone who gives you shit for it. Warrin could’ve easily become my enemy had Asa allied with the ice dragons before we did. And you know what? Enemy or not, nothing could’ve kept him from me once I felt that fated bond. Because that’s how this mate thing works, B. We don’t choose it.”

“It’s inevitable.”

“Not to sound melodramatic, but yeah. By rejecting your mate, you’re only making yourself miserable.”

“He lied to me,” I said, heart aching. “How can I trust him again?”

“Look. I’m the furthest thing from a people person. I like to sit in the corner and glare at everyone. But my time brooding in corners has given me quite the advantage. I’m a damn good observer. And the way Phoenix looks at you, B? The dude’s crazy about you. He might be morally gray and kind of a dick, but think about why he tried to kill Asa. Not to save the world. That’s for damn sure.”

“It was to save me,” I whispered.

“That demon would burn the world down for you. Just as I’d do the same for War. I understand you’re hurt, but don’t write him off just yet. Okay?”

“Yeah. Sure.” The weight on my chest lifted a bit. “Go meet the king for dinner. I know how bitchy you get when you’re hungry.”

Daman released one of his rare laughs. “Talk to you later.”

After I disconnected the call, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and stared over the water. Talking to Daman helped clear my head a little. He’d put things into perspective. I turned and looked up at the window on the second floor of the house. The room where Phoenix slept.

Suddenly, the back of my neck prickled. I spun around to face the cliff on the other side of Ravenwood Mansion. Leaves ruffled on the trees as another breeze swept through them.

Someone was watching me.

“What’s wrong?”Alastair asked telepathically. He must’ve sensed my sudden unease.

“I’m not sure.”I searched the trees.“I feel like I’m being watched.”

That feeling continued for most of the morning. Even after I went back inside the house, I’d get the odd sensation each time I passed a window or stepped out for fresh air.

“You think it’s one of Asa’s scouts?” Castor asked later that evening as we sat down for dinner. He could move around now, but Kyo still kept a close eye on him.

“It’s possible,” Alastair said.

“I sensed the presence too when Simon and I left his shop earlier.” Galen rested his arm on the back of his husband’s chair. “Wrath didn’t pick up on any ill intent, but maybe this prick is just good at hiding their motives.”

Raiden placed a basket of fresh rolls in the center of the table before taking his seat beside me. He had cooked pot roast and made bread from scratch. Clara had helped him.

“Whoever it is, I’m sure they’ll show their face soon enough,” Alastair said. He waited until everyone filled their plates before filling his own. “I’ve been searching for a new home for us. Options are limited at the moment, though Konnar knows of another mansion about to be on the market.”

“You don’t have to rush off.” Clara poured a glass of wine, then filled my glass. “All of you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”

“Thanks, lil’ girl,” Raiden said. “I appreciate you having our back.”