Page 30 of Seared Fates

“A fuck-face, too,” Golden supplies.

“Yes, those too. Thank you,” I drawl.

“Any time,” Golden snickers.

Kai’s lips quirk up.

“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry for every single tear.” With each word, I inch closer, yet keep my hands fisted at my sides. How would it feel to really touch Kai? Know without doubt how soft his skin is and indulge the soulmate bond even in the smallest way? “I’m sorry for making you doubt yourself. Demand anything of me, little prince. If it earns your forgiveness, I’ll do it gladly.”

Behind him, Golden and Ramy exchange a look. Golden mouthing ‘little prince?’.

Kai’s jade-green gaze takes me in, searching for something when I would give him everything. Anything. Past wanting a woman for a soulmate, I never had other expectations. But for this fierce, protective, talented, smart, loving boy to be connected to me? He makes me believe in the gods again, and I vow to each one to spare him any further pain.

Even if I am the pain.

“The only thing I ‘demand’ is for you to stop being a dickhead,” Kai finally answers.

“Difficult,” I reply, smiling.

Kai shakes his head, but playfully pokes my chest. “Well, try. I was putting myself in your shoes, how it’d fuck with my head ifmy soulmate turned out to be a woman. I’m pretty certain I’d be a lot nicer about it, but it’d be a lot to take in. Also, who needs more enemies? So…”

“So…?” I lean closer, his scent calming my straining lungs.

“Let’s be… ” Kai swallows, “friends?”

From behind us, Golden gives a little snort.

“Your best friend,” I demand.

Laughter tumbles from Kai, his eyes rolling.

“What, no way!” Golden calls. “I’m his best friend.”

Kai grins. “Sorry, Vidar. I guess that place is taken.”

“And I’m his second,” Ramy cocks his head and shoots me a sharp smile, “for the record.”

For all the world, I couldn’t pull my gaze from Kai’s pretty eyes, light with laughter. ‘Yes,’ I think, ‘this is how you should always be.’

I close the last step of distance and lean into his ear. “Remember this, little prince. I’m a conqueror, and I plan to have both those spots as mine.”

“Whoa,” Golden mumbles. “Sexy.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Kai pulls himself away and levels me with a glare. “If you wanna be my friend, none of…well, none of that fuckery. It messes with my head, alright?”

I grunt.

“Oh, and I gotta tell you,” he says as he rights himself. “Emma visited me.”

Rage burns away any calm. “What the hell happened?”

Chapter twelve

Kai

“What the hell do you want?”

Emma rests her shoulder against my front door, her smile wide.