Page 79 of Twisted Gift

“Aurora.” His voice makes me meet his gaze quickly. “Hi there.” He almost smiles. “What did you need, sweetheart?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. I came to check on you.” Walking around the desk, I take the drink and set it on the other side of me. “I’m glad I did. You don’t look so good.”

He reaches over and caresses my cheek. “Don’t worry about me, Rory. If anything,Ishould be worrying aboutyou.” He is. I can tell by the way he hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I’m scared and hurt and angry, but I didn’t just lose my best friend. He did, and taking care of him allows me to keep my mind off the fact I was just put through hell.

“Iamworrying about you. What happened to Max—death takes a toll on a person, no matter who they are.”

He drops his hand, glancing away from me. “I need to prepare a statement.”

“It can wait,” I say. “You’re not well enough.”

“It can’t wait, Aurora. My people deserve to know the danger they face.”

“Of course they do. I’ll tell them. All of them—the dark and light.”

His eyes snap back to mine. “No,” he says in a firm tone. “They’ll know the second you walk in the room that you’re not fae anymore.”

“You think that matters? They didn’t like me as a humanoras one of the fae. I’ll take Allison and Skylar with me. It’ll be fine.”

“I said no, Aurora.” His voice is deeper this time.

“I want to help,” I point out, an edge to my voice. The last thing I want to do is argue with him, but he’s not making it very easy to make things easier forhim.

He presses his fingers against his temples. “You want to help? Call the local feeding unit and have Destiny send one of the humans over.”

My brows tug closer as a flare of... what—possessiveness?—races through me. “I’m not going to do that.”

Lifting his head, he searches my face.

“You don’t need to call a human here, Tris.I’mhuman now, remember?”

His entire body stiffens, and when I shift closer, he shakes his head. “Stop.”

“Would you relax, please? You’ve saved my ass enough times.”

“Aurora,” he murmurs.

“Tristan, please,” I say, trying to smooth his hair down. “Let me help you.”

He lets out a slow breath, holding my gaze. “You’re sure?”

I nod. “Of course.”

Tristan stands, and we walk over to the couch, sitting side by side.

I take his hand. “I love you,” I say in a hushed tone.

He leans down and kisses my cheek. “I love you.” He closes his eyes and slides his fingers through mine. His thumb brushes soft circles across my skin as he gently pulls on my energy. It trickles out of me slowly, and I lean into him, closing my own eyes as my head starts spinning.

Tristan pulls his hand back just as I’m starting to feel a bit warm and fuzzy. “Are you all right?”

I open my eyes to find him looking at me with concern, and I smile. “I’m perfectly fine.” I shift away to stand, and the room tilts, so I lean back against the couch cushion. “I think I’m going to sit here for a few more minutes.”

“I took too much. I should’ve pulled away sooner. I’m sorry, Rory.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. Honest. I’m okay. Just give me a couple minutes, and I’ll be good to go.” He already looks better. Brighter eyes. Straighter posture. A weird fluttering grows in my stomach; I did that for him.

He frowns then sighs. “Well, thank you.” Kissing my forehead, he says, “I should get back to work.”

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