Page 77 of Silverproof Damsel

“Lay off her, Mikel. If it weren’t for her, I’d be fucking dead,” Nyota’s weakened, stern refutation made my knees give out as relief shot through me.

“Nyota,” I whispered as arms slid around me, pulling me up before I reached the floor. Nyx made a growling sound. It caused one side of Mikel’s mouth to jerk up at the corner.

“Let her through,” Rhys demanded, forcing a chuckle from Nyx.

“You heard him. Let us through, Neanderthals. Make way for the VIP coming through.”

“Careful, Nymph. I like my women wanton and willing. I heard you’re both,” one of the brothers said in a dark, silky tenor.

“Move, Mikel. Without her, we’d be planning a funeral instead of cracking jokes with our baby sister. Let my sunshine through.” Cole appeared beside me, his arm sliding behind my back as he escorted me to Nyota’s bedside.

“You lived,” I whispered through the quiver in my lips. “Nyota, I’m so sorry they used my silver on you.”

Nyota’s vibrant blue eyes opened as her mouth curved into a smile. “Remind me never to piss you off. I never want to be on the other end of your silver again. But this, it wasn’t your fault.”

“You protected me. If you hadn’t, it wouldn’t have harmed either of us. My silver cannot be used against me, Nyota. It cannot harm the host. I am that host.”

She made a strangled sound before chuckling. “You could lead with that next time we’re under attack. I didn’t know it was your silver.”

“Regretfully, neither did I. I didn’t recognize it. It was tainted but held enough of mine to prevent me from being harmed. Don’t bitch me out for saving you, either. I couldn’t let you die for protecting me. There was a chance I could do it without harm to myself.” The fact that I had known Bullet could be lost hovered in the room like a heavy mist.

“Rhys told me what you did for me. Next time, I need you to know that I’ve lived my life. I’ve loved, lost love, and been loved, Silversmith. You’ve yet to live. Next time, let me go if the price is your life or that of my brother’s child.” Holding out her hand, I placed mine into hers.

“I think I liked you better writhing in pain.”

She laughed, ending in a bout of coughing. “I think I like you better sulking while you pine for my brother.”

“I wasn’t pining for him,” I sniffed, refusing to admit how accurate her description was. “He’s insufferable at his best.”

“Insufferable, is it?” Rhys’ heated breath fanned against the shell of my ear. “That’s not what you were complaining about earlier, Love.”

“Insufferable is aptly the word I’d use,” Nyota muttered. “If you two are going to fuck, do it somewhere else, please. I can’t get up and leave.”

“I’m too much of a gentleman to fuck her over your bed, Nyota. Remington’s a lady. One who deserves to be treated as such.” Pressing his lips against my ear, he chuckled seductively. “That courtesy isn’t included behind our bedroom door, Love.”

“You two are dismissed,” Nyota chuckled, her dark tawny head shaking. “I need to rest soon and there are others waiting to see me before I can do so.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Two Months Later

Laughtertrickleddownthehallway from those who’d gathered in the living room. A soft smile spread over my lips at the familiar feminine banter of omegas bickering over my taking time getting ready met my ears. I’d seldom cared about how I looked. It wasn’t that. It was the curve of my belly impeding my ability to find something suitable to see visitors in. Standing in the bathroom mirror, I deliberated on my changing physique and how best to conceal it.

In the last few weeks, we’d settled into a routine. He’d leave the apartment early to see his affairs, then return to watch mindless reality shows until we fell into one another or bed. Either one was bliss, but all bliss eventually ended.

I’d learned to never trust anything from Roslyn. One moment she’d be sweet and kind, then, in the blink of an eye, she’d order me punished for an imagined slight. There had never been one entire day that passed in which Roslyn didn’t have a meltdown over something.

Exhaling slowly, I twisted my lips, then scrunched my face before Rhys’ reflection in the mirror captured my focus.Uneasiness flowed through me like waves upon the ocean. Heat snaked my chest to my neck, then stung my cheeks. I held his gaze until embarrassment threatened to create tears.

“I just need a moment,” I assured quietly past the lump forming in my throat. Rhys wasn’t going to continue wanting me with how rounded my middle was becoming. That fact weighed heavily on me as each day brought more changes to my body.

“I . . . I don’t fit in regular jeans anymore.” I might’ve fit them had I rolled the waistband down, but I’d already been doing that for some time. “I’ll be out in a minute. I don’t need you to dress me.” Tears stung my eyes as he chuckled against my ear.

“You’re not fat, if that’s what’s playing inside that pretty head of yours. Even if you were curvier, you’d still be the loveliest creature I’ve ever encountered. You’re creating life inside of you. You’re gorgeous, Love.” He grabbed my hand, lifted it, then spun me around until I faced him. It forced me to tip my chin, meeting his molten, ravenous gaze.

“Liar.” I wanted to hide the bulge, to conceal it before he decided to go find someone who didn’t look like they swallowed an entire bowling ball. “It looks like I swallowed a cantaloupe.”

“A cantaloupe, huh?” Nodding in agreement, I observed the creases in the corner of his eyes from laughter. “No other woman has ever looked more beautiful to me than you do right now.” Gripping my chin, he tipped my head back as his lips brushed mine. It created a blossoming flower of need to swell in my belly. “If you don’t cool your ardor, you won’t be leaving this room tonight.” His hands slid over my lower back, gripping my hips. “One word and I’ll evict every single person from our apartments.”

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