Page 56 of Tainted Gifts
I turn on my heel, making a dash toward the wall while keeping my back turned to the door. Aria walks by me, not acknowledging me at all on her stalk toward the auditorium.
I cringe when I see her heading toward Jase, and I intercept her before she reaches him.
"Sorry," I quickly mutter while leaning down to kiss her. "She caught me off guard."
She turns away, batting my hands down from her face. "It's fine. I know how Simone is. You didn't stand a chance."
Okay... wasn't expecting that. The fight is already over?
"Are you sure you're-"
"Hey," the full blood says as he interrupts us, his hand touching Aria's back as he steps too close.
My teeth clench, but her eyes roll back in her head from the moment of reprieve he offers her from the pain. He smiles, delighting in the fact he can make her feel better when I can't.
"I was hoping the pain would stay gone longer," he says, pretending as though I'm not standing right here.
Her eyes turn to him, a twinge of pain shining through.
"Why didn't you tell me Simone tried to kiss you?" she asks, surprising me a little.
Why is she asking him? She never asked me that question.
He sighs out, keeping his hand on her to subdue her pain.
"I didn't want you to get hurt. She's your best friend... more like your sister. She never acted on it. She just thought about attempting it. You're already in enough pain as it is. I didn't want you to suffer the loss of your friend as well."
Fucking smooth talking asshole. What I wouldn't give to rip his head off his shoulders. A tear threatens to fall from her eye, but she blinks it back before it can as she brings her eyes to the ceiling.
I start feeling like a third wheel at this point. She's either really pissed at me and not saying it, or she doesn't give a fuck at all. This doesn't make any sense.
"You're already sweating," he murmurs to her, his hand sliding up to cup her chin as he blows a cool breath against her face.
She lets out a moan, making me sick. "I'll go get you something to drink. Maybe it'll cool you down," I grumble, feeling ridiculous right now.
It's obvious I've fucked up and she's punishing me. She's doing damn good at punishing me. At least I hope that's what she's doing.
They've got this place set up like a party instead of a hearing for children. Lines of concession tables are laid out with food and drinks. Laughing people host the tables, acting as though small lives aren't hanging in the balance.
The council is arriving late, per the usual. Everyone else will sit and observe like the loyal servants we're expected to be.
That's fine though. If this goes bad for the kids, my girl and I can leave. - be alone and away from that fucking full blood as we get the little ones out.
I hear Aria's chuckles as I turn around, seeing him raise back from whispering something in her ear.
The glass I just acquired shatters beneath my grip, so I replace it with a new one. As I turn around again, I see him leaned over once more, speaking in a whisper too low for me to overhear.
Her eyes grow wide, her cheeks redden, and she covers her face with her hands, which makes him laugh before kissing her forehead the way he always fucking does. He needs to keep his lips to himself before I cut them off him.
She leans into him, hiding her face in his chest while shaking her head. His face goes to her hair, and he kisses her again, this time he does it through her hair.
This is ridiculous. I shouldn't be having to fight this hard against a full blood. I've never had this problem.
Just as I reach them, I see him kissing her hand before turning to go. She smiles, one of pure, genuine affection. I don't ever see that smile for me.
Simone walks in, making me sick. Aria is pissed. She has to be. That's why she's doing this.
I'd blast Simone for selling me out, but that'd be wrong. I shouldn't have ever kissed her back. I shouldn't have held her the way I did even if it was for just a couple of seconds.
