Page 144 of Wicked Bonds

Issac just shook his head, aware of his best friend’s penchant for mischief. He was lucky Aya hadn’t put him in his place yet. She was too consumed with anger toward her brother to give Tristan much attention, but that’d likely change some—

“I’ve never seen you this happy,” his best friend said quietly, interrupting his musings. “She’s good for you, Issac. I worried before, but now…” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “I’m glad you found each other.”

Issac’s eyes widened at the admission. “Are you trying to make me feel better about Mateo?” It was an honest question, as his best friendneverspoke fondly of Aya or his relationship with her.

Tristan grunted. “Am I not allowed to say something kind?”

“Of course you are, but you never do.”

“That’s not true,” Tristan argued. “I say kind things to Amelia all the time.”

Issac scoffed at that. “My sister is an entirely different situation.”

Tristan merely smiled in response.

Aya appeared in the next blink, her blonde hair flowing in the wind of her arrival as her wings settled at her back. She glanced at Tristan and huffed a breath, clearly not thrilled to see him in the living area, but shifted into her corporeal state anyway so he would know she’d arrived.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to see or hear her.

“Hello, Stas,” Tristan greeted with false cheer. “How was training this morning? Good?”

Issac rolled his eyes at his best friend’s forced attempt at being “nice.”

Aya blinked at him, her brow furrowing. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” Tristan drawled. “Perfect, really. You?”

What the hell is wrong with him?Aya asked.

He’s trying to be nice.

Well, tell him to stop. It’s freaking me out.

Issac chuckled and just shook his head again. “There’s fresh coffee waiting for you in the kitchen. I already added a teaspoon of brown sugar, too.”

That immediately grabbed Aya’s attention, taking her away from Tristan’s odd behavior. “Thank you.” She misted from the room in an array of beautiful opal shades.

Stunning, he whispered to her.Absolutely stunning.

You’re just trying to make me feel better about the pink plumes.

Hardly, love. I’ve never been one for false platitudes.

Unless giving a woman a line to entice her into bed,she tossed back at him.

I believe we’ve already had this discussion once,he reminded her.And it ended in your pretty blush being displayed all over the tabloids.

She snorted, appearing again with the coffee in her hand and at her lips.You’re a demon.

I’m your demon,he returned.

“Right,” Tristan said, pushing up from his chair. “This is my cue to leave, then.”

Aya started to smile, her green eyes glittering with warmth and humor as she lifted the mug to her mouth again for another sip. Only, she paused midway, her brow furrowing.

“What is it?” Issac asked, causing Tristan to pause right beside him on his way to the door.

“You know bloody well what it is,” he returned. “All that mental jabbering is going to lead to a snogging session that I have no…” He trailed off, his voice disappearing into the room as Issac maintained his focus on Aya. His best friend must have realized the question hadn’t been for him but for Aya.