Page 30 of Sharpen Your Claws

He peered outside, incapable of meeting Nicholas’ eyes. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Why not? Do you think I cannot understand?”

“Well, your father is abhorrent, so I imagine you would be pleased if he didn’t look at you.”

Nicholas chuckled. “I would, but I understand wanting someone to notice you over others.” He had no issue staring at William when he added, “You pay attention to all of them, your family, and I am envious. I am envious of Charmaine too.”

“What?” he balked.

Nicholas’ shoulders caved inward. “The two of you have always been close.”

“Yes, she’s my best friend.”

“You were willing to die for her.”

“I did for you.”

Nicholas stiffened as if he had been hit. His fingers brushed back the glove concealing William’s hand to reveal a line of silver. “Do you regret it?”

“No,” he replied. In a way, it felt good to admit that aloud to Nicholas most of all. “I would do it again, although that doesn’t make what happened afterward easy. I don’t mean to make you feel bad. I just…”

“Need time?”

He curled inwards, pressing himself back against the windowpane. “I don’t know. I don’t know if there’s enough time in the world to heal all that is wrong with me. I’m trying.”

He didn’t know what else to do other than try, then be disappointed when nothing worked out.

“Heal may not be the right word. Transformation, I find that more fitting.” Nicholas leaned closer, the fearsome hue of his eyes softened by the sunlight. “Losing one’s past self is inevitable, is it not? All of us transform, and we are both amid that transformation.”

“What if that transformation is for the worst?”

Nicholas settled a finger beneath William’s chin, treasuring him in a gentle touch. “Then we shall be worse together, and I can say with confidence I would not mind that one bit.”

He couldn’t accept the kiss Nicholas wanted, but he embraced the brush of the fae’s lips when they fell upon his temple instead.

“I should go before your family returns. They’re fearful of me.” Nicholas opened the window because the fae couldn’t learn to use a door.

“Henry got along with you. Maybe I need to get some alcohol in them.” He smiled at having made Nicholas laugh.

“That may not be a bad idea.” Nicholas dropped to land elegantly in the yard. William leaned out to wave. “I shall spend the day patrolling the outer banks. If I see anything, I will let you know.”

“Be careful, trouble.”

“You ask for too much, my wicked.” Snickering, Nicholas wandered off, leaving William wanting him right back by his side.

He told Charmaine once that hope was a disappointing mistress. He needed to learn to take his own advice.

12

Nicholas

Thefollowingday,Nicholasused the rafters at the warehouse to reach William’s office. He spent the night patrolling the outer banks as promised, although he had nothing to show for it. Nor Evera, who traced his steps and, occasionally, stuck her nose into other people’s business. One had the drunken audacity to throw an empty wine bottle at her. He wasn’t sure what became of the man, but he was likely a corpse at the bottom of the river.

Flinging open the office door, a chipper greeting died on his lips upon seeing William wasn’t alone. Charmaine sat on a couch. Jealousy ran hot. She had been with William for the last two years, while Nicholas couldn’t see him. They grew even closer while he and William were torn apart.

“Nicholas, good morning. Charmaine and I have been talking about what you shared with me the other night,” William explained from where he sat behind piles of papers.

Dark bags stained the skin under his eyes and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing his tempting nape. Nicholas wanted to mark that beautiful neck.

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