Page 91 of Tricky Princess

“No, I don’t think it’s him.”

It was definitely Ros, but she wasn’t ready to admit he wasn’t as stubborn as her. How could he change his mood so quickly after being such a jerk? This wasn’t the plan. After the restaurant, she’d had so many dirty ideas, and then she’d gotten cockblocked by her nana and uncle and then again by Ros’ stupid mood. Now she didn’t know where they were in their fight or their relationship.

Devon flopped down with them, using Ellea’s thighs as a pillow.

“I see Ros is back,” he said in greeting.

“Mhmm.”

“Did you get tired of the hand shaking too?”

“Yeah, what is with that? Ros hates people.”

“Nah, he doesn’t hate everyone. Some of the wolven and him go way back.”

Ellea mumbled something incoherent.

“Kind of like not everyone hates you?” Devon poked her in the stomach, and she swatted him on the head.

“Come with me to Halifax and then tell me that. I thought Ros was going to eat some of them.”

Ellea was a pro at ignoring the looks and glares, but with Ros vibrating next to her, it had been a battle to stop her powers from answering his. They always came alive when he was around, when they fought or fucked. It should scare her, but she only felt excitement.

Devon huffed a laugh. “I’ll come if Ros comes. I want to watch him eat some bitchy witches.”

Ellea sat up on her elbows to look down at Devon, who had a wicked smirk on his face.

“When did you become so bloodthirsty?”

“Who said I wasn’t always like this?”

Ellea looked toward Florence, who only shrugged, and to Billy, who was snoring.

“Am I in a different realm?” Ellea asked, bouncing looks between all three of them. “Did I get off on the wrong exit when we came back from Hel?”

“No,” Florence said. “You are surrounded by a bunch of touchy beasts and we all have masks; you’ll get used to them. I’m slowly getting used to yours.”

“And how many masks do I have?” she asked with mock sweetness.

“Five,” both Devon and Ros said at the same time.

She hadn’t noticed Ros walking over.

“Five?” she questioned.

“One, when you’re fighting and act as though you aren’t tired or worried,” Ros answered.

Devon added, “Two, when you’re pretending you are present but you’re actually stuck in an old memory.”

“Three, when you are in front of the kings or council members. You look bored, but your magic is screaming to tear them apart.” Ros said it with so much fire in his eyes.

“Four, when you meet a new person, you act standoffish or mean because you are protecting yourself,” Devon said.

“And five,” Ros added finally, “when your magic is burning up inside of you and you play it off as if you don’t feel a thing.”

“Well,” Ellea said, standing up quickly and not giving Devon a chance to move. “I’m glad you both have so much fun trying to figure me out.”

“It’s because we care.” Ros stopped her before she could storm off. “We aren’t asking you to take them off. We’re here for you, and we understand.”