Page 12 of Hopeless Sacrifice
Chapter Four
Mimicking
An anxious rhythm consumes my heart. It’s a quick beat that makes me pace through our enormous room. My boots echo nicely against the cobble floor. When the soles of my shoes scuff over a black boot I look up to meet Ryder’s worried gaze.
“Stop stressing. It’s not a good look on you.” He has the nerve to wink at me and I shove at his bicep, not letting my fingers linger against his smooth skin for too long.
He catches my wrist and pulls me against his chest. My feet stumble but he catches me, enveloping me into his warmth until I really do relax just slightly.
“They’re going to test us. The gods don’t give away their charity. But you’re not just any Hopeless fae.” His fingers brush against my jaw before pushing back my hair from my face.
His earnest eyes shine down on me. He has more faith in me than even I do.
“You guys know Kara’s a sort of fire fae?” He doesn’t look to Darrio or Dax as he says it.
“Really?” Darrio steps closer, studying me intently.
I shift in Ryder’s arms.
Daxdyn wanders over slowly, looking me up and down for several seconds.
“She doesn’t act like a fire fae.” A line forms between Dax’s brows.
“And how do fire fae act?” Darrio shoots Dax a hard glare, and I’m just happy all their brooding and concerned looks aren’t on me for a moment.
“Well, to put it nicely, you’re kind of an overbearing, overly aggressive, arrogant asshole.” Dax bites his cheek, and I can tell he’s putting real effort into holding back his laughter.
“That’s putting it nicely?” Darrio’s big arms fold across his wide chest.
I can’t help but wonder what happy insults I’ve missed out on during the last two hundred years of their lives.
“I’m just saying you guys hold a special sort of outlook on life, and Kara,” Daxdyn’s gaze softens when he looks at me. It’s a look that sinks right into me. “Kara just isn’t like that.”
In Daxdyn’s eyes I’m not an asshole … what a delusional sense of love we must be in.
“I agree. I thought the same thing.” Ryder’s palm splays wide against my lower back. He holds me close as he considers this puzzle that is my life.
“What do you think it is?” Daxdyn asks.
“It could be anything really,” Darrio says as he tilts his head to the side in thought.
“Excuse me, but theitthat you three are picking apart right now is me. I’m a real fucking person and I’m right here. Don’t ignore me like I’m not here.”
Ryder’s hand pushes lower until it’s settled against my ass. His hard body is even closer to mine.
“I’m very aware you’re right here, beautiful.” His voice hums with a lustful sound.
With a roll of my eyes, I shove out of his arms.
These three are insufferable. They were thinking with their brains for all of five minutes before their dicks chimed back in.
“Hey, I was kidding.” Ryder’s fingers skim mine just before I fold my arms across my chest.
“This is serious. The mortal realm could very well depend on my magic. What the gods are offering us will definitely depend on this magic.”
“Let me help you then.” Ryder steps closer to me and confusion clouds my mind as he wraps his arms around me once more.
It’s hard to be mad at him. He’s patient, and sexy, and kind.
