Page 39 of Taken By the Fae

Max leans back a little in his chair. “I don’t think you’ll believe me, despite knowing you’re well-versed enough in our world to know I can’t lie.”

I squint at him. He’s saying too many words, and the pressure behind my eyes is already making my temples throb. “Five words or less, please.”

He makes a sound that I almost mistake for a snort and lifts a finger for each word. “I came to apologize.”

Of all the things Max could’ve said, I was not expectingthat.

“Hmm, I can see by the wide-eyed look on your face I’ve surprised you.” He rakes a hand through his hair, pushing the black waves back from his forehead. “The night I brought you here—the way I handled… my mistake—was less than ideal.”

I arch a brow. “Is this your first apology?”

His eyes narrow, and he stands, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I treated you like an enemy because I thought you were one. I didn’t expect you to hang around, to catch Tristan’s interest and join the fold, so to speak.” Max sighs. “I’m sorry for how I treated you then.”

“I…” I shake my head, wetting my lips. “I appreciate your apology.”

Max holds my gaze for a moment before he nods and sits down, going back to work.

I turn away and step toward the office doors. I drop my things at my temporary spot and make my way to Tristan’s office, where I find the door ajar, so I knock a couple of times and slip inside, making sure my hair is curtaining my face.

Tristan is sitting behind his desk, having an animated phone conversation. His eyes find me immediately, softening with recognition, and my stomach swirls in response.

Not wanting to disturb his call, I walk over and sit on the couch to drink my coffee, waiting for him to finish. I tap my fingers against the side of my cup, debating whether I should tell him what happened on my way up here. I’m quick to decide against it, noting the conflicted expression he’s wearing. I try not to eavesdrop, but the tone of his voice is sharp and agitated. The Tristan I’m used to is the image of control, so hearing him this way is unsettling. His hair looks as if he’s run his fingers through it about ten times too many, and his tie is pulled away from his collar.

Even though Tristan is sitting across the room, I feel him everywhere. How could I have forgotten what that was like? That constant presence… It’s not all that unpleasant anymore, which makes my head spin; I glance away when he catches me watching him.

He joins me once he’s off the phone and sits on the other couch across the coffee table from me. “Good morning,” he says in his normal, smooth voice.

“Morning.” I take a sip of my coffee before setting it on the table.

“What is that?” he asks, a sharpness latching onto his tone that makes my pulse jump.

My forehead creases in confusion. “What?”

Before I can turn away, he moves across the space separating us and tilts my face to the side, his fingers brushing along my jaw. I wince at the stabbing pain that follows his touch. He drops his hand and pins me with a dark stare. “What happened?” His voice is low, holding me in place.

I bite the inside of my cheek, heat flaring in my cheeks at his proximity. His breath skates across my cheek and his thigh brushes mine. I swallow hard and force out, “Nothing. It’s fine.”

Those incredibly blue eyes narrow a fraction, barely enough to notice. “You want to play this game, Aurora? Really?”

I scowl. “I’m not playing any game. I just know it’s not worth talking about. I can take care of myself.”

“Clearly,” he remarks, his voice dripping with condescension, his brows tugging closer as if he’s disappointed I’m not confiding in him.

I huff out a breath and grab his hand, lifting it to my face until his fingers press against the spot where the fae dug her nails into my skin. She didn’t draw blood, but it is bruised—along with my pride. “Can you just heal it so we can move on?”

“Now you’re asking—”

“Yes,” I cut in, still holding his hand against my face.

He shifts closer, angling his body toward mine and sending my heart racing. “Tell me what happened, and I’ll be happy to help.”

I drop his hand from my face. “It doesn’t matter,” I mumble, looking away.This is ridiculous.I shouldn’t be embarrassed about what happened. But feeling that way, so utterly powerless… I hated every second.

He snags my chin between his thumb and finger, holding my gaze. “I need to know what goes on in my hotel, Aurora. You can tell me and save us both time, or I can find out on my own.”

I clench my jaw until my teeth ache. “A couple of fae ambushed me in the elevator on the way up here.” I swallow, casting my gaze down as embarrassment floods through me. “One fed on me.”

Tristan tilts my head up as the familiar warmth of his healing magic shimmers across my cheek. I lean into him before I realize what I’m doing. His gentle touch is a stark contrast to the hard, violent expression darkening his features.

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