Page 53 of Quiet Burn

As Kit’s breathing steadies and his color returns, he casts a wary look towards the Prince. I can see the questions swirling in his wide, uncertain eyes. Those same questions are clawing at my insides, seeking answers I’m not sure Jasper is ready to give. He struggles with adapting to such situations, and with the current chaos, it will be even more challenging to make him understand what’s happening.

I know Jasper better than anyone—the way he guards his heart like his dragon hoards gold. He fought against his feelings for me once, his affection a battlefield he was determined to conquer alone. But we’re past that now; our bond is complex, threaded through understanding that defies traditional labels. Our Dom/sub dynamic is just one layer of the intricate tapestry that is ‘us.’

“Jasper?” Kit’s voice is hesitant.

But my Prince only stares ahead, lost in a storm only he can weather. I’d help, but it will only make him bristle right now. All I can do is stand by, patient and watchful, knowing that when he’s ready, the demon I love will let us in on the secret battle he’s waging within.

Jasper sighs, his shoulders tense as he continues to face away from us. “Slash, will you?—”

“Already on it,” Slash interrupts with a knowing nod and turns to Salem. “Grab some drinks and more bites to eat. He needs energy.”

Kit tries to protest, his voice barely above a murmur, “I’m not a child, you know.” But the words come out soft, unconvincing, lost in the worried glances we exchange.

As if to emphasize his vulnerability, Dottie scampers over, tiny fists flailing in a silent demand as Salem stands. The kinkajou’s antics draw a faint smile from Kit, a momentary flicker of amusement crossing his exhausted features.

He really has drained his battery and I’m not sure if that’s from his body trying to get his magic and powers to develop fully or if it’s because he keeps burning himself to bits by getting into scraps.

“Come sit with me,” Anton says as he drags a chair over, sharing it with X, their shoulders touching casually as they curl together.

Oriel takes another chair and brings it closer, perching like a bird of prey, eyes sharp but caring. “KK, we want to make sure you’re good to go before we leave this secret room. No one thinks you’re a child.”

We settle into watchful silence, our focus solely on Kit while he recovers. No one speaks of the dance left behind, the intrigue, or the power plays. We don’t care—and I find that interesting as hell. This caliphate was forged in chaos, but it seems now we’re bound by something stronger than duty or fear.

What a weird fucking thing to happen in the wake of all the other bullshit being thrown at us.

Salem returns, arms laden with refreshments, and Kit finally pushes himself upright. With the solemnity of a sacred ritual, he accepts the offerings, breaking bread—or rather, snacks—with Dottie, who eagerly snatches up her share.

“Sorry,” Jasper grunts suddenly, his voice rough as gravel. “For... startling you.”

Holy. Motherloving. Shit.

Shock etches itself across Kit’s face, deep lines of disbelief at Jasper’s admission. He’s not wrong; Jasper Eversore never admits his errors without some sort of torture device being involved. His surprise extends to all of us and we’ve known the Prince for far longer.

Oriel can’t resist a jab, his smirk wicked. “Anyone got a calendar? This ought to be marked as a historical event.”

Salem snorts, then laughter ripples through our small gathering, a lightness that feels almost foreign amidst the night’s tension. But Jasper’s mood soon sours, thunderclouds brewing over his brow as he paces with a beastly grace, snarling at Oriel’s gentle teasing.

“That’s enough,” Kit’s voice cracks through the mirth, surprisingly steady. “Let him be. We’ve all had to face our… demons… tonight, haven’t we?”

Slash gives Kit a long, measuring look. His gaze is heavy with thoughts unspoken before he says, “We should leave.”

Disappointment tugs at X’s lips, a fleeting shadow that reflects his wish to dance and make merry. However, Oriel nods, and Anton does as well. The thief looks at me and I agree, so he rises to his feet. “This night’s been a bust, anyway. Too much drama, not enough intel.”

The decision hangs between us all, eyes darting from one face to another until they land on Jasper. He pauses, considers, then nods. “Fine. Salem’s room, then. Dinner away from this mess sounds much safer for everyone.”

And much farther away from our shithead parents and bitchy demonesses.

In the quiet that follows, I catch Kit’s eye, and there’s a soft gratitude there that doesn’t need voicing. He’s definitely happy we’re going to leave this mess, and he wouldn’t have asked us to do so himself. That kid would damn near kill himself rather than ask for help, and that will eventually be a tremendous problem.However, for now, it’s just something I’ll be more aware of so I can help like Salem, Slash, and Oriel do.

Maybe he’ll forgive me sooner if I figure out how to keep him on an even keel.

Safe and Sound

Kit/Kat

The disaster that was the dance faded once we were back at the dorm. Slash refused to let me walk—again—so I had to keep my face turned away from the stares of all the lookie-loos as we paraded through the throng. I have no idea if the dickhead parents we visited were watching or if they’d yeeted themselves out after being ‘seen,’ but I’m sure the rumor mill will take care of letting them know what happened.

I hope the boys aren’t going to get their asses handed to them because I got overstimulated.

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