Page 67 of Shadows of Nightshade
His calm tone sent a rush of warmth down to my toes. He’d come to rescue me.
“If you have a problem with how I handle things, you’re free to discuss it with me when I have availability,” Damen said. “But leave her alone. Bianca and I have our own plans to attend to.”
We did? I thought we weren’t supposed to reconvene until later this afternoon.
Were they good plans?
Whatever they were, it didn’t matter. As Damen’s focus returned fully to me, my worries faded. I found myself unable to speak, but could only watch him, as he attentively ran his hands down my arms.
In fact, now that he’d said his piece, it was like Bryce was no longer worthy of further thought. Damen completely missed the other man’s glorious pouting, and instead straightened my coat over my shoulders before he began to close the buttons.
“It’s time to go.” Damen grabbed my hand once he was finished with his ministrations.
I followed him, unresistant, as he added, “Say goodbye to Bryce.”
The haze shifted. Did I have to?
But I wanted to make him happy. Darn it.
“Bye,” I said, complicit. Curse my indulgent nature. It wasn’t a farewell with feelings of good tidings, at least. I didn’t want to impress Damen that badly. I was just thankful for the chance to escape.
Besides, maybe the next time Bryce and I met, I’d be his equal.
I glanced back only once, glimpsing Bryce’s disapproving glare at Damen’s back, before I was led away.
17
I silently followedDamen as I reveled in amazement at what had just transpired.
Being able to stand up to Bryce, albeit very briefly, had become one of the most liberating experiences of my life. In fact, I couldn’t help but bask in the knowledge that I’d actively defied him. Maybe I’d even hurt his feelings.
In the end, the reality was thus: he’d wanted something, and he didn’t get it.
Who was he to demand my attention? My obedience?
He was no one.
Perhaps I could continue to refuse compliance. I did not care if he was some fae official. In my world, he was a lowly student teacher of a subject of which he had yet to achieve mastery. It wasn’t like he had the power to dictate my grades, and, in return, my academic future and life.
Or could he?
My light-footed steps became more weighted, and it became harder to follow Damen. What if…
Even though we’d long since left the building, I could still imagine Bryce behind us with a disapproving frown. I didn’t even understand what Officers were, but they sounded important.
And I’d instigated a fight against him.
What if he was plotting his revenge at this very moment? I knew I’d be.
Oh my. I clutched my hand to my chest. What had I done?
I felt like puking.
“What’s wrong?” Damen, who’d been walking slowly to account for my tiny legs and cowardice, had kept pace with me. Our eyes met, and he scowled. It was such a horrible expression on such an attractive face, and I regretted causing it. “Did something happen before I got there? Should I kill him?”
“No.” I shook my head. Such violent extremes were not necessary. Yet. After all, where would that leave the fae? They would probably be divided and leaderless, with much chaos, and some other sucker would have to be tricked into controlling them.
It sounded like a dreadful job, which made it perfect for Bryce.
