Page 33 of Riot of Autumn

“Freaking creeper.”

Zara grins at me. “Want to tell me what happened in the closet last night?”

I narrow my eyes at her. She didn’t say a word about that before we went to sleep, letting me fall into bed as soon as I changed clothes and wiped off my face.

“You’d know all about closets, wouldn’t you?” I deflect, recalling what she’d told me went down when she and Rhys played Seven Minutes in Heaven a while back.

“I do. Is that what happened to you as well?” Zara tucks her hands under her cheek, and she looks like a little angel.

I’d like to say our personalities couldn’t be more different, but honestly, she’s got a spitfire soul buried under her cautious nature. The longer she’s been on this side of the veil, the more comfortable she is to push back at things she doesn’t like. It makes my big sister heart all proud.

“I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Ah, so there was kissing.” She giggles. I roll my eyes, but can’t stop from laughing after a second.

“Do you think closets are a weakness for us? Like there’s a genetic mutation in our DNA that’s coded to do dirty things in confined spaces.” My thoughts race down a tangent, and Zara’s brows furrow.

“I don’t know what half of that means. And I don’t think closets have anything to do with it. I think it’s gorgeous men who look at us like they want to do very bad things with our bodies.”

“Ew. I don’t want to think about Rhys looking at you like that. Violation.”

Zara laughs again and I effing love the sound. The smile stays on her face, but her eyes search mine.

“Can I ask, why aren’t the two of you together? It’s clear there’re real feelings between you.”

I squeeze my pillow tighter and drop my gaze, so I don’t have to look at Zara while I think over my answer. She’s too perceptive.

“He hurt me a long time ago. A few times. Even then, I still gave it a go and got rejected.”

“Have you talked to him about it?”

I scoff. “Hello, have we met? I don’t do the whole pour your heart out thing. Everything is just fine buried in the deepest depths of my soul.”

Zara hums, the sound thoughtful. “You should talk with him. I think it would be good for both of you.”

“So, what’s this big idea you have to keep the Duke from controlling Ezra?” I change the subject. Call me a coward for not wanting to deal with whatever it is Ezra and I did in that closet.

Just like that, Zara’s relaxed posture stiffens. She spent years serving the house of the Duke. She’s only shared bits and pieces of what happened to her during her time in Fairy, but I know it wasn’t pleasant.

“I’m so glad I stabbed that asshole.”

“Me too, Ruby. So much.” The smile is back on her face as she pushes up, hopping out of bed like she’s a Disney princess ready to face the day. “Let’s go get the other two up and I’ll tell you all my plan at the same time.”

I don’t float out of bed like an animated character. It’s more of a groan and roll move that isn’t delicate or graceful. I’m a little sore, probably from being so damn tense last night, and clenching every muscle in my body for an extended period of time.

Walking out into my living room, I spot Ezra splayed out on the floor and Rhys taking up the length of the couch. They both look uncomfortable, and I doubt they got much rest. I have a feeling that’s a state of being we’re all going to exist in for a while.

I stick my foot on Ezra’s ass cheek and shove him back and forth. It’s not lost on me that there is zero wiggle. I don’t know which one of us groans louder.

“Yeah, I’m up,” Ezra mumbles and then closes his eyes again.

This time I lean down and crack my hand on his butt hard enough that he shoots up, sweeping me off my feet and taking me down to the ground in a swift move that has my heart pounding. His arms are cradled around me, so I don’t even feel the impact of the ground as he spins me and pins me down.

“Was that an invitation?” Ezra’s warm eyes sparkle as he looks me over.

“Not sure what kind of party you’re used to going to, but that was a wake-up call. Not an invite.”

Zara is much gentler at waking Rhys. When he spots the two of us tangled up on the floor, he raises a brow. “Did someone trip?”

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