Page 40 of Imbalance
Safiya gave him a wide-eyed look but shook her head, "So be it."
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my room for the night. I'm feeling worn out from the journey here," Ama politely said, not waiting for their approval of her decision.
Jace called out, "I'll have dinner sent to you."
She glanced back and thanked him before approaching us and saying, "Which of you is going to escort me back to my rooms? I know you guys will freak out if I go alone."
That was a devildamned fact—she wasn’t wrong. We had nearly lost Ama last time she’d left an event alone.
Adrien stepped forward and offered his hand to her, "If you'd allow me, beauty, I'll accompany you."
I’d had my moment with her on the way here, and I was surprised that I was okay with taking the back seat now and entrusting him with her safety.
Ama took his hand and gave us a parting smile, "I'll see you guys in the morning."
We said our goodnights, and I watched the crowd part for her as she left. This time, they weren't looking at her with disgust for being with a pure-blood. Instead, their gazes were filled with curiosity and respect.
Maybe there was hope for us after all.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ama
"Little Temptress," a masculine voice whispered against my ear, making me frown and try to turn over onto my side in my bed.Who the hell was bothering me while I was trying to sleep?
"Go away," I answered in a muffled voice as I nuzzled against the warm, hard wall, pressing my nose into it.Damn, this was a nice wall.A nice wall of...muscle. A wall of muscle that I didn't recognize and that didn't smell like any of my mates.What the fuck?
I sprang up, groaning as I hit my back against a far harder surface, but I tried to scuttle back as far as possible in the container I seemed to be in.What the hell was going on? Where was I?I finally squinted around, ignoring the red light around me, and focused on the massive frame lounging in the stone coffin we seemed to be in.Oh no.My imagination was acting up again.
"What the hell, dude?" I demanded, swallowing nervously because he felt way too real. "I don't think it's your job as my dream hottie to scare the fuck out of me!"
His lips pressed up into a smile, and he leaned his head to the side as if examining me. "I had no idea you would scare so easily. It's sort of adorable."
"I do not scare easily," I growled, gripping the stone coffin edge and pulling myself out. I brushed myself off completely and tried to ignore the weird buzzing sensation running across my skin. I shivered, feeling desire pool in my center as I took a steadying breath—one he interrupted by appearing right behind me and making me jump again.
His laugh filled the space as he wrapped an arm around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder, apparently granting himself the liberty to touch me as much as he wanted. "Ama, I am not positive how I should go about convincing you that I am not your 'dream hottie' as you put it, although I am glad you find me attractive."
I turned sharply, and instead of backing away from him, I found myself plastered against him with my fingers digging into his chest. "You don't need to convince me because I know the truth."
He seemed amused by that, "Is that the case, Little Temptress? Do you believe that you are all-knowing? It's said that only the devil has that power."
"Well, the devil and me, then," I felt flustered as his eyes lit up with pleasure at my words.
"Exactly, the devil and you," he purred, and I inhaled sharply as he dipped his head and brushed his nose against mine, making my knees weak. I was about to say something, anything, but his lips brushed mine so suddenly that I was yanked out of the dream and into—
* * *
"Fuck,"I groaned as I fell off the bed. I lay on the carpet for a solid minute, considering not even getting up in the first place. I frowned, hating that I felt consumed by such a weird haziness—like I was out of touch with reality. I finally convinced myself to sit up and shielded my face from the light streaming through my balcony. Who the hell opened up my windows? Or had I fallen asleep with them open?
I pushed myself up on all fours and dragged myself up onto my bed, my nightgown slightly twisted and my hair wrapped around my horns, making it hard for me to see. Well, until I looked towards the sofa and table in the suite part of the room, where Jace was seated and watching me with amusement.
"Smooth, love," he grinned, looking elated at having experienced my humiliation.
My cheeks flamed as I narrowed my eyes, "What the hell are you doing in my room?"
"While I do love you calling ityourroom," he purred, "I brought food as a peace offering."
Muttering under my breath, I grabbed a robe and pulled it around me, walking towards the large spread of breakfast food on the table. Immediately, I pulled my feet underneath me and snagged some coffee, taking a big sip of it before focusing back on Jace. I tried to not think about what a hot mess I currently appeared to be. I mean, I knew it couldn't be good, but luckily, the man was gentleman enough to not comment on it.
