Page 83 of Third Offense

Novak took that as a sign to stop, to pull me out of the shower and dry us both off. We dressed in silence, waiting for Auric to return.

But he didn’t.

So we went to dinner without him.

His chair remained empty the whole time, distracting me from the polite conversation my mother and Ketos were making. He seemed just as preoccupied by Auric’s disappearance as I was, but he was much better at hiding it.

My mother didn’t comment on his absence, and neither did Ketos.

Although, it was definitely noticed by everyone at the table.

Raven had arched a brow a few times. However, I shook my head, not wanting to talk about it.

Neither Sorin nor Zian seemed surprised, but they asked Novak a few questions with their eyes. Questions he seemed to answer with a few silent twists of his jaw.

During dessert, I placed a bite of chocolate mousse into my mouth but hardly tasted it even though it should have been divine.

I couldn’t help but glance around the dining room, finding it emptier than usual.

Because Iston and Netiri were missing, too.

Because Auric isn’t here,I guessed. Proving they only attended because of my Nora mate.

I would have liked to have seen Netiri, though. Mostly so I could tell her to leave my mate alone.

When the task of dinner was done, Novak and I silently returned to our room. I almost suggested we go looking for Auric, but a shake of Novak’s head told me the answer would be “no” before I even voiced the thought aloud.

Something I understood the moment the door opened.

And found Auric waiting for us.

Because somehow Novak had known. Maybe he’d sensed it. I wasn’t sure, but seeing Auric immediately had my heart hammering in my chest.

“Auric,” I breathed, running for him.

He caught me in a hug that nearly suffocated my very being. I buried my head against his neck, inhaling his familiar scent as his feathers curled around us.

He’s been flying, I realized, reveling in his wintergreen fragrance.My mate.

“Please don’t leave again,” I murmured against his chest. “You’re mine. I could never replace you.”

He stilled against me. “What?”

“She thinks you’re trying to set her up with golden boy,” Novak muttered.

Auric pulled away from me, his gaze narrowed. “Why the fuck would you think that?”

“Because you… you left. And this place… you don’t like it… here…” I trailed off, my reasoning no longer sounding right as I voiced it aloud.

Auric seemed startled. “And that leads to me wanting you to mate Ketos? Instead of me?”

My lips twisted. “You’ve been acting strange.”

“Because this place is messing with my head,” he growled. “Not because I want to give you up.” He palmed the back of my neck, his gaze intense. “I could never give you up, Lay. You’re mine as much as I am yours. And a prince is not going toreplaceme.”

“You promise?” I whispered, searching his gaze. “You don’t want to leave?”

“Oh, I want to leave,” he replied. “But with you, Lay. Always with you.”