Page 55 of Blood Bought

“Yes,” I said simply, pouring him some water and stepping close to the bars. “Bet I’m not all that sweet right now, though. How are you?”

“I miss you too,” he admitted, taking the glass and chugging it down in three giant gulps. “I’m fine... hungry.”

I took it and refilled it, handing it back. “Think they’d notice if I let you feed?”

He smirked, taking in my face like he was truly seeing it for the first time. “Yes, tiny rebel. I swear I’ll never get over the fire in you. Did it feel good to threaten that guard?”

“A little bit, yeah.” I bit my lip and shifted my weight to one foot, leaning against the bars. “Tell Renzo to get me a nice, tough steak that needs a really big knife and I’ll fix this all myself.”

Alaris laughed, his face looking lighter than when I entered. “I don’t doubt you, Miss Silk.”

He chugged more water and gave me the glass, but when I reached out for it he grabbed my wrist to pull me in. “I really do miss you.”

That weight on my chest swapped itself out for insane butterflies. “Why’d you cut them off last night? It felt like you were cutting me off, too.”

“I’m sorry. I needed some time to think about your decision, and I’m glad I did. My reaction was to talk you out of it, but I knew that wouldn’t be good. I need to respect your decision not to be turned, so I will. I won’t go against your wishes.”

“I feel like you’re trying to butter me up so I make good on my promise of steak knife beheadings,” I teased, but my smile faded quickly. “I’m just not there yet.”

“I know. I should have wooed you a little better when you first arrived. Didn’t realize how bad I was doing until you laid it all on the table that one meal we shared.”

Savage little softie. “It isn’t your fault, actually. I just... don’t think I could ever give up burritos now that I’ve had one.”

“You can have all the burritos you want, Sweets. But once I get out of here, I’m going to take you somewhere far away from here so we can get our strength back. Just you and me. That okay?”

“Yes.” I relaxed, knowing I’d have time later to tell him all therealreasons I wasn’t sure about ever being turned — the burritos had been a joke, but I could see the stress on his face and I knew firsthand that laughter in those cells was rare. “Will you get in trouble for that?”

“We’re allowed recuperation time after a punishment like this, but I’m not asking for permission. Unless they want me to get out of here and instantly kill Ciro, they need to give me time to breathe. I need them to believe I won’t.”

I reached up to touch his face softly. “Kell’s already making me overdose on his blood. I’ll be okay, and we can go wherever you want for as long as you want. I owe you that, at least.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Adalind.” I felt him lean into the touch as his eyes closed. “But I’m glad you want to. My blood tastes better for you than Kell’s, but I’m not in a position to give much. Give me that glass.”

“No.” I hid it behind my back. “You don’t have any to give, Alaris. I’ll be fine, and Kellian doesn’t mind. Though you might want to tell them it’s okay to leave me alone for an hour... they need each other and I think I’m just in the way.”

“God, those idiots have been in love for so long. If you promise to stay in my room, yes, I’ll tell them to take some time. Do you want some company? Azel?”

The thought of her still made me a little cranky, but I nodded anyway. I had questions and she had answers. “Yes and yes.”

“Okay. I’ll work it out with them and I need you to rest as much as you can. Ciro will take too much, Adalind.”

My grip tightened a little on the bars. “I know. Lots of sleep, lots of Obsidian shots. I’ll be okay. He won’t kill me.”

“They’re going to make me watch. Just stay focused on me and we’ll make it through together.”

He leaned in and kissed my fingers, making me wonder where the hell he’d been all this time, and which version of Alaris was the lie.

“It’s weird being on opposite sides of these,” I said quietly. “The bars.“

“For me too, and neither are a lie. They’re both inside me and they always will be, but who you see right now is who I want to be for you. I know I’m late but... I’m trying.”

“Trying because... I’m your mate?” I asked, not moving and barely breathing.

“Trying because I’ve gotten to know you, and you deserve better than the mate you got. Whether it’s us or destiny, I want you to want to choose me. Do you believe it? That I’m your mate?”

I studied those black eyes, the lines of his face, his strong jaw. Looked past all of that to the anger I’d seen, the brutality, the indifference. The warmth. The possessiveness and way he teased me. The way he should’ve killed me instead of going through all of this.

“Yes,” I whispered. “I know you don’t, but I do.”

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