Page 60 of Worse Fates

White-hot rage burns away my amicable feelings. “Touch him and—”

Vidar laughs. “So, you’ve resolved your problems?”

“And you’re laughing no longer sounds like a death rattle. Haven’t we all improved?” I bite out, muscles coiled and ready to pounce.

Golden tries to move around me, but I won’t budge. Instead he goes on his tip toes and pops his head over my shoulder.

“Yeah, we patched things up,” he says cheerfully, not matching the tension in the air.

When Vidar's gaze swings to my mate, I fight the urge to hide Golden from view.

“And you were the one skulking about in my mansion. The one you burnt down, by the way.”

“Oh shit. I did? Oops…”

“You saved me a job, beautiful.” My eyes never waver. “I, however, would’ve chained Vidar to the rafters.”

Rurik quirks an eyebrow. “Aren’t you both supposed to be on better terms?”

“Maybe next time,” I growl, “he won’t threaten my mate the moment he meets him.”

While I’m distracted, Golden slips around me. Cursing, I grab his arm and lock him to my chest.

“What did I tell you?” I hiss.

“A lotta stuff.” In my hold, he wiggles around to face Vidar. “Sorry about your mansion, I can’t really pay you back. But when I’m a vampire we’ll be family, so I guess we can work something out.”

Vidar’s cold gaze stays on Golden, his lip twitching. “Will you now?”

I clench my jaw so tight it aches.

“Anyway, I wanted to give you something back.” Golden digs through his pocket, before holding out a gold brooch fitted with rubies. “I kinda stole this from your now burnt down mansion. So…here you go.”

Vidar doesn’t blink for so long that I wonder if he’s fallen asleep with his eyes open. Then with humor laced in his voice, he says, “You’re an odd little thing, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been told that once or twice.”

“I believe that. Keep the brooch for now, I have no use for it.”

“Are you sure?” Golden holds it up. “I found out gold is really rare, so it’s pretty precious.”

How I hate that Golden so earnestly stands before my Maker, who quietly laughs at him. If only I could keep him within my chest, where my heart belongs.

Vidar crosses his legs at the ankle. “What brought you to stay inside that moth-bitten mansion, anyway?”

He shrugs. “Change of scenery. And mate, what a bloody scene you made. I nearly pissed myself. You’re looking a lot better now, ya know. The clothes are a nice touch. You could even pass for handsome.”

It dawns on me that Golden is aware how Vidar sees him—a foolish child.

“You think I’m handsome, do you?” Vidar’s mocking smirk stretches his paper-thin skin.

But Golden sees Vidar as someone who needs help.

“Outta all the half-starved vampires I’ve ever met, you've gotta be the best looking. But…ya know.” Golden glances at me, then back. “Lucero’s always gonna have you beat.”

Vidar snorts, amused. “Too bad for me when your company’s so pleasant.”

Golden brought Ramy out of a shell I could never crack, and got Rurik talking—even if it was through gritted teeth. And now, he’s somehow managed to charm my Maker away from his bitterness. Is it possible, when my every thought is already consumed by Golden, to fall more in love with him?