Page 32 of Worse Fates

And secondly, truthful.

“I know you didn’t want me near you,” I tell Golden. “But the power of our connection made it difficult to stay away. So, yes, I followed you. But not all the time, only when the pull became…too much. But I won’t deny being happy I did it. Jace would’ve killed you.”

Between clenched teeth, Golden says, “Shut up.”

“Golden—”

“SHUT UP!” His eyes fill with tears. “Fucking hell, why am I always crying around you. You’re so fucking annoying.”

I’m about to say something, offer comfort or try to dull his edge, but when he moves into my side, burying himself into me, all words fail.

“Just be quiet,” he whispers.

Smiling, I keep my eyes on the road, the demanding tug of our connection easing. He is next to me, where he belongs and when I wrap an arm around Golden, it’s welcomed. It hurts my shoulder, but I’d withstand more for this simple pleasure.

“Outta all that's happened,” Kai says, and I’ve forgotten he was even here. “That was the weirdest thing I’ve witnessed all night.”

“You’re not allowed to speak either, Kai,” Golden grumbles, his breath hot on my neck. “Can you drive one handed okay?”

“I’ll be fine,” I promise.

I wish the journey was longer out of the city and into the country-side. But in a short thirty minutes, the familiar sound of tires crunching over gravel announces we’ve returned home.

“Holy shit,” Kai mutters.

“I thought it would look more gothic,” Golden says.

I hum my pleasure, carding his wet curls between my fingers. “Does it disappoint?”

Once the iron-wrought gates—taller than three men and wide enough for elephants to stroll through—swing closed with a metallic clang, I park outside the mansion.

“Not a gargoyle in sight.” Golden’s honey-brown eyes flutter my way. “So, yeah.”

Golden hasn’t moved from his place at my side, and I have no intention of removing him.

For four days I watched him sleep in filthy alleys or under bridges. He pickpocketed easy marks, and I admit to compelling a few people for him to steal from. I only relaxed when he finally gave in and paid for a hotel.

Kai clears his throat, stealing Golden’s attention from me and I have to wrangle in the possessive growl threatening to escape.

“Not that it isn’t absolutely insane to watch Golden cuddle,” Kai says, teeth chattering. “But I’d love to get out of these wet clothes.”

Golden is the first out of the car, but I’m close behind, with Kai following last.

I lead them past the well-kept towering trees, full and green even in winter. The mansion is a squat thing—only two stories—but so wide each side disappears into the shadows. The roof rises into five points, as if its architect didn’t think the grand stone pillars and arched windows weren't extravagant enough and added a crown.

“Fancy,” Golden says once we’re inside. The entryway, like the rest of the house, is decorated in rosewood panels and bathed in a warm glow.

“Ramy’s doing, he enjoys decorating,” I inform. Leading them through the wide-open space and past the broad stairs, our feet tapping on the hardwood floors.

Expecting some quip from Golden, I turn to find him chewing on his lip. Clearly, something is on his mind, but I say nothing as I walk into a hallway, our footsteps dulled by the forest-green runners until we make our way into the kitchen.

“Ramy decorated this, too?” Golden asks, a touch of…something to his voice.

“He did…” I reply cautiously. “We spend most of our time here, so he wanted to make it ‘cosy’.”

The kitchen, like everything else, is spacious. Counters made from sandstone, a fridge we never use grumbling in the corner. The family table, which is slightly more used, is a rustic oak and framed with brown cushioned chairs.

Kai looks between me and Golden, then finally lands on me. “So…what the fuck was all that weird shit?”