Page 9 of Encore
“Youthrewher,” Madame Lucinda pointed out.
I puffed out my chest.
“I regret nothing. And if any of you say it wasn’t satisfying to watch, you’re lying to yourself and should see the company therapist.”
“I will admit to no such thing. Beyla, start with that file and believe nothing you read online.”
Arden disappeared with Madame Lucinda. Now that I didn’t have a jealous gryphon standing in my way, I made my move. He could start a fight with me if he wanted, but this hit Beyla and Nyx the hardest, and I was doing it for them. My older sister let me watch a horror movie with her when she was supposed to be babysitting when I was seven. I was terrified for weeks, and my parents did this for me. I feltsafe.
“So, we should have a totally nonsexual cuddle fest sleepover. I’m talking, drag every blanket and pillow in the living room, make a cuddle pile, and watchThe Breakfast Club.I don’thaveto send sexual vibes. If we’re doing that, I can take away some of the pain and stress Beyla and Nyx are feeling from this.”
Nyx crossed her arms and glared at me.
“I love nonsexual cuddling, and I wouldn’t mind these feelings going away. But can you do that without springing an incubus boner? All of you. If I see or feel a boner when I’m in the cuddle pile, I’m going to shatter your eardrums.”
“Okay, that’s just offensive,” I said. “Just because I’m an incubus doesn’t mean I pop a boner lying next to pretty women. I can be helpful when I want to be.”
That kind of hurt my feelings, but I could see where she might think that.
“Trust me. You want Merlin watching your back from skeezy guys at clubs,” Nicolai said.
“Merlin has been nothing but respectful towards me as soon as I asked him not to use his lust gifts on me. He was the one that came to check on me in the studio after Bellatrix when everyone was screaming at Marsden. I was honestly two seconds away from losing it in there. Merlin could have just taken all that away, but he asked my permission first. He’s not offering because being in bed with two ballerinas is sexually exciting. Merlin is doing it because he gives a shit and wants to help. I’m going to take him up on it.”
One thing I loved about Beyla was that she saw the real me. She didn’t like me because of some shirtless photo on social media or what I could do for her career. It was nice just being myself around her. I did that once and got my heart stomped on. I said never again, but I had a feeling this time would be different.
Beyla bit her bottom lip.
“I don’t have that much bedding.”
“Girl, I do. I have this thing about sleeping on clean bedding, and I change my sheets all the time. I’m not a complete psychopath like Mr. Garcia, who only keeps one set of bedding and revenge washes it daily any time there is noise. I have bedding for every season because it’s fucking freezing in the winter, and I want a blanket on me in the summer, but I hate sweating when I’m sleeping.”
“I dunno, that sounds pretty psycho, Nyx,” Bevan said.
“No, it’s practical. Supernaturals live longer than humans, but Mrs. Garcia will outlive me out of spite and keep hogging the laundry room. I’mnotsleeping on stale sheets, Bevan. It gives me zits, and I just feel dirty. So don’t judge me, fucker, because this cuddle pile wouldn’t work without me.”
“Fair point,” Bevan nodded.
We were all on board for this, and I knew it would make Beyla and Nyx feel a little better. I just hoped Arden didn’t ruin it when he returned because he was selfish about his mate.
Chapter8
Beyla
Yesterday started out utter shit. I thought I would need time and a lot of meditation to function. I still would, but I felt so much better. I was smashed between Merlin and Nicolai all night, and we stayed up late watching eighties romantic comedies. Arden laid across the bottom of our blanket fort and rubbed my nasty ballerina feet, and Bevan took the top to play with my hair. They did Nyx, too, because she felt just as shitty as I was.
I slept way later than usual. I slept even later than Nyx this time. I stretched and realized my cuddle pile had disappeared on me. Instead, Nyx was sitting in her chair, sipping coffee, and just staring at me.
“Were you watching me sleep? That’s creepy. Where is everyone?”
“They’ve been Merlin ’ed again. I’m under strict orders to keep you here and entertained. Sorry, not sorry. I pinky swore with Arden, and that’s legally binding. I like you, but I’ve known him forever. If you leave, I’ll body tackle you.”
“I kind of wanted to go to the studio and dance out some of what I’m feeling.”
“Absolutely not. The studio is off-limits until they get back. I’m sure Damita is just as brutal with pointe shoes as the corps is. So, take a day off from dancing. Sit and chat with me while we deal with our pointe shoes.”
I didn’t know what the guys were up to. Knowing Merlin, it could be anything. If he had roped Arden into it, it was probably sane. Honestly, I was shocked Arden didn’t get all growly and possessive when he got back and heard about Merlin’s cuddle pile. It went against his nature, but it was definitely in mine, and Nyx and I both needed it. I needed to thank him for that. I needed to thank all of them when they got back from plotting.
“That sounds great,” I said, going to my room to get my bag of pointe shoes.
