Page 232 of Emylia

“You want to raid the cupboards, have a slumber party?”

“You’d do that, with me?”

At one point, Evie and I had been thick as thieves. It actually wasn’t that long ago that Sebastian, Evie and I would have slumber parties, raiding the cupboards and staying up until the sun crested the earth. These last couple of days had allowed that relationship to heal, to thrive. And this time I wasn’t going to let it go.

No matter the consequences.

“Of course.” A wicked smile tipped up my lips. “Besides, you’d be way more fun than the passed-out guy in my bed right now.” Her shock hit hard–and Gods, it was so worth it.

“We would be breaking more rules. ” The smile that accompanied her words left me with the impression that she had started enjoying being a rule breaker.

And I couldn’t blame her. It was a lot more fun on this side of the law.

“When have I ever been afraid to break the rules? The more the merrier, I say.”

Her eyes softened, like this meant more than she could ever express. Before she broke down in front of me, I wrapped her in a hug.

“Anytime you need. Regardless of the rules, I’ve got your back.”

Her arms tightened around me, like it was the only thing holding her together. “I’ve missed every second without you, Emmie.”

My heart didn’t just crack. It split–clean and silent–like something I’d been holding together too long.

The words weren’t meant to destroy me.

But they did anyway.

“Never again, V.” I said, barely breathing. “I’ll never lose you again.”

A promise.

A vow.

ChapterFifty

Asoft knock at the door.

I tiptoed around Evie, still curled on the spare mattress on the floor, cocooned in my favorite blanket—hers now, probably. She was out cold, lips parted slightly, utterly spent from our midnight antics at the forge and the feast that had ensued.

I cracked the door open—and froze.

Sebastian leaned in the doorway like he belonged there, one shoulder against the frame, arms crossed, a force of smoke and fire and something rawer than either. His hair was damp with sweat and ash, his shirt wrinkled and half-buttoned like he'd dressed in a hurry. And Gods—he was beautiful.

But he looked wrecked.

Eyes rimmed with fatigue. Jaw tight. Like he hadn’t slept in days.

“What are you doing back?” I asked, heart stumbling over the sight of him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Gee, it’s nice to see you too.”

I exhaled sharply, guilt cutting through the surprise. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re just... you’re not supposed to be back for a few more days.”

He shrugged one shoulder, like it cost him. “What can I say? You can’t keep me away.”

I studied him, every inch of him. The way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. The tension coiled in his shoulders. The faint tremble in his fingers. Something wasn’t right.

I lifted a single brow, my voice quieter now. “Is everything okay?”

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