Page 55 of Queen of Diamonds

Kyan was careful as he padded by, still frighteningly quiet. We got across the room to the strangely unsafe looking metal steps that led up to what seemed like a second-floor room. Or… something like that.

Kyan took the first step, metal creaking, and I tensed. Then another, and another, his steps sounding casual enough.

“What’s with the boxes?”

Both Kyan and I froze dead still at the sound of Knight’s voice. I glanced over; he was still facing the TV, settled in for the night, a black silk wrap around his locs, wearing sweatpants and a thin bathrobe that hung open.

Kyan took another step, clearly trying to stay casual. “Pillows. Building her a nest,” he replied, continuing up the steps.

Knight snorted, still not turning. “Where?”

“In my pad.”

“You think Zed’s gonna let you take her up to—” Knight cut off as he turned his head, incredulous expression on his face, mouth full of popcorn.

There was a long, long silence, where Knight stared at us, and we him.

Then he leapt to his feet, growl (and popcorn) suddenly filling the air.

Kyan ran, and I flung my chained wrists over his neck, holding on for dear life.

“NO!” I could see Knight scrambling hands and feet behind us as Kyan clambered up the steps along the wall, boots clanging with each step. My eyes flicked down to the floor for half a second, trying not to think about what would happen if Kyan made even one slip up. There was no safety barrier.

That was before we reached the fucking ladder.

“Kyan!” I gasped, as he released me with one hand—with far too much ease and balance—to carry me up. He reached the top, where he set me down, then turned in a flash and ripped the ladder back.

Knight was seconds behind, but had enough momentum to leap across the now empty gap. I let out a breath of shock as he missed, but his fingers curled over the platform. With a grunt of effort, Knight managed to drag himself up, elbows over the edge, eyes lit with fury.

Kyan reacted quickly, skidding on his knees before Knight. “Let go,” he snapped.

“No.”

“Last warning.”

“Kyan!”

Kyan grabbed Knight’s arms dramatically, leaning close as he whispered, “Long live the king.”

Knight, rather smartly, let go before Kyan could actually shove him off and I heard a thump and then a curse from below.

Kyan whooped with joy, to turn and find me bent double in stitches of laughter. Laughter like I hadn’t experienced in as long as I could remember.

For a moment, the last few years melted away entirely. Tears streamed down my face as Kyan’s arms wound around my waist, just holding me close, the wind of a lightning storm sweeping me away.

From the ridiculous thrill of that chase—and the stupidity of hearing my mate quote the fucking Lion King in the name of my defense—the world had flipped in an instant. Why wasn’t I mad? Or anxious? Or… anything. Instead, he was just… perfect and beautiful.

“This space is for you,” he said, looking around. I followed, seeing we were on a wide metal platform with a huge inset bed. “I got pillows. Omegas like pillows.”

There were… so many pillows. Everywhere. Against the metal bars that made up the walls, piled onto the bed, crowding before the wall mounted TV. Not to be cliche or anything, but I swear slick pooled between my thighs at the sight of them all. “And snacks and water,” he was saying. I spied two boxes full of every snack under the sun. “And the bathroom’s over there.”

“There’s a bathroom?” I asked, peering around the corner to see a door that led to a small room.

“I paid a lot for the plumbing,” he told me rather proudly. “And even the metal around here.” He clapped the bar set up like a boxing ring that circled the whole thing. “Can’t spy through here, so no bugs. Basically, it’s safe, and it’s yours. You can stay as long as you like. I’ll even walk the plank if you?—”

“No.” I grabbed him.

And… shit. I was crying again, and laughter was no excuse this time.

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