Page 73 of Bride of Death

My soul is evil. It destroyed an entire realm. I… I don’t know how to reconcile that.

“Hey,” Maliki says, grabbing my chin again. Only, he’s towering over me this time, as he walked over to my side of the bed.

I stare up into his gold eyes, my throat working to swallow.

“Don’t thank me for giving you what you need, Sera. While I appreciate the acknowledgment, I don’t want you to ever feel like you owe me something in return. Okay?”

I finally get my throat to function properly, but now my mouth feels dry. “Okay,” I manage to reply.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing my lower lip and leaving a foreign warmth behind. “I need to grab some things from Tank’s place so I can cook here. While I’m doing that, why don’t you take a shower and try to relax.”

I nod because I don’t think I can speak anymore.

He gives me a small smile. “Everything is going to be all right.”

Are you sure about that?I want to ask.Because I feel like I’m about to catch on fire.

He gives my chin a little squeeze, then releases me again. “I’ll start your shower for you,” he says. “Then I’ll head over to find what I need to make crepes.”

I gape at his muscular back as he wanders into my bathroom to do exactly what he just said. When he doesn’t return, I frown.

The water is running. I can hear it. So why didn’t he come back out?

My eyes widen.Did he decide to shower first? With the door wide open?

For whatever reason, that thought has me slipping out of bed, curiosity guiding my actions.

I shouldn’t go look. I really shouldn’t. But a naked Maliki might be in my shower right now.

And I… I find myself very interested in seeing that.

Only, my bathroom is empty when I arrive.

Because he said he was going to start the shower and then make the crepes.

He shadowed back to Tank’s place, I realize, my eyes closing at my own idiocy.Wow, Sera. Wow.

I… I really need to just stand under the water until I find my brain again.

So I do. I take probably the longest shower of my life. Which is impressive considering how chilly the water is here.

By the time I surface, I’m basically an ice cube. But some part of me recognizes that I probably deserve to feel cold given what my soul did in a past life.

I wince.Why did you pick me as your host?I want to demand.Why did you hurt all those fae?

I grab the sink counter and close my eyes, my towel loosely wrapped around my torso.

What happens if I become an Omega like Alina?I asked this before, wondering if I would lose who I am in favor of my soul.

But as Morpheus pointed out, Alina is still herself. Maybe I’ll remain the same, too.

Only, Alina didn’t possess a spirit with a known identity. So what does that mean for me?

Swallowing, I force myself to focus on finding clothes. Except my heart isn’t really in it, so I end up pulling on some black shorts and pair them with a long-sleeved top.

It’s a weird combination, but I don’t care. I want to be comfortable. So no jeans. And the blouse-like top has a low V-neck that makes me feel like I can breathe.

Maliki’s gaze runs over me when I enter my kitchen, a towel in my hand as I try to dry my hair. He doesn’t say anything, so I assume that means my outfit is fine.