Page 16 of Crimson Devotion (The Sacred Seven #1)

SIXTEEN

Ophelia

Valerio and Aurelia left the castle four days ago.

It was early in the morning when Aurelia knocked on the door, letting me know of their departure.

Since then, it’s been radio silent from the two.

They said they won’t contact me until they have something solid; otherwise, it’d be a waste of my time.

And their assumptions are correct.

“Ophelia.’’ Faith’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I break away from gazing out the window, turning to look at her. She’s naked under the sheets, holding them up to her chest. Her hair’s messy, her eyes sleepy, and she has the most adorable smile on her face.

“Hi, little hunter. Slept well?”

She nods, then opens her arms. With a chuckle, I walk over to the bed, lying down next to her and pulling her toward me. Her head rests on my chest, arms wrapped around me as she snuggles closer.

The bond between us is strengthening every day.

With each passing moment, I love this woman more.

I’m not sure if it’s love anymore. It’s an obsession.

Her voice, her laugh, her smell — all of it’s luring me in.

And when she hugs me tightly, all my worries melt away, and the only thing that matters is this little peaceful bubble we’re in.

However, there’s something that’s been bugging me as of late, and I don’t know how to bring it up with her. I stroke her hair softly, and Faith hums, snuggling against me. Her legs intertwine with mine, her heartbeat a steady rhythm, one of the most harmonious tunes I’ve ever heard.

“Little hunter?”

“Hm?” she responds, lifting her head off my chest, looking at me with sleepy eyes.

“I went to check in on Lucifer last night. You put the bracelet back on his wrist.’’

Faith freezes for a moment, eyes widening a fraction. She detangles from me, sitting up. She’s looking everywhere except at my face, and it makes me more suspicious than I already was — because I know exactly what’s going on here.

“Yes,’’ she admits through a soft sigh. “You’re adamant that he’ll wake up soon, so he’d want it back anyway.’’

“True as that may be, he’s still asleep for now, meaning you could’ve used it. And given that the daylight isn’t burning you, it means that these,’’ I reach up, flicking her earring, “are magic infused. How?”

Faith’s eyes land on mine, a speck of guilt glossing over the amber color. The silence stretches between us, and it’s all the answer I need. I didn’t think I’d be this calm, but somehow, despite feeling the hurt linger in my chest, I can’t find it in me to show her just how angry I am.

“You saw Yvonne when she broke in,’’ I state. “And you didn’t tell me.’’

“I’m sorry!” she apologizes, her tone laced with sincerity. I sit up, folding my arms in front of my chest. “I’m really sorry. She made me promise not to tell anyone.’’

I merely lift an eyebrow. Faith’s expression falls, and regret flashes through her eyes. Whether it’s because she hasn’t told me herself, or because she allowed it to happen in the first place, I don’t know. Right now, I’m not too keen to figure it out, either.

“She could’ve hurt my brother,’’ I say, words a low whisper. “He’s asleep, yes, but she’s the oldest witch alive, the very last one of the first generation. If she wanted him dead, she would’ve found a way to kill him. Do you not understand that your silence could’ve been fatal?”

Faith reaches for my hand, and despite the anger that’s bubbling underneath the surface, the touch is soothing.

Electricity sparks within my body, the matching mark we share starting to warm me up.

It’s pleasant, and with her inching closer, it’s hard not to bask in the scent of calmness she provides.

“I’m sorry, Ophelia.’’ Her eyes never leavE mine. “I didn’t think about that. But I promise you, she didn’t do anything to him.’’

Although the answer doesn’t satisfy me, I accept it. I would’ve seen or felt something wrong with Lucifer. Thus far, he’s remained blissfully unaware in his deep slumber. With a nod, I sigh, eyes skimming all over her face.

“Did she hurt you?”

Faith shakes her head. “No, she wouldn’t hurt me.’’

“She wouldn’t have hurt you while you were a human, Faith. You’re one of us now. And if Yvonne hates anything, it’s us.’’

Faith takes a deep breath, her hold on my hands tightening a fraction. “I know that. But she’s also not going to throw away years’ worth of friendship for something that was out of my control. She did, however, warn me that she’d kill me if I so much as thought of killing another human.’’

“You won’t,’’ I respond immediately. “I won’t let you lose that part of your soul.’’

A soft smile etches onto her face, and my heart nearly leaps straight out of my chest. The gentle expression, the way her eyes glimmer when she looks at me is enough to want to keep her in this very bedroom, until the day we die.

And for a vampire, that’s a long, long time.

Quickly, I pull her toward me, positioning her to sit on my lap. A small gasp leaves her lips, and my mouth is on hers before she can blink. Faith laughs into the kiss, arms wrapping around my neck. She holds me tightly, her tongue plunging into my mouth.

Heat overwhelms me, my senses going into overdrive as my hands grip her hips. My sweet girl grinds against my thigh as small, adorable sounds slip from her lips.

“Someone’s greedy,’’ I mumble.

“What can I say?” She chuckles as she pulls back, biting her lip. “You make me want to be greedy for you.’’