Page 58 of The Barbaric Fae's Soul

Maybe taming klynnas had become her new passion. She could have it, because it definitely wasn’t mine.

“It’s not even dark out,” I protested, gesturing toward the sky.

“It’s dark in your house,” Aev said, sweeping me off my feet and striding toward the trees.

Maybe I should’ve protested, but… it was nice to have someone take care of me. On Earth, that had never happened. Not that I could remember, at least.

So I let him carry me away, and tried not to let my mind wrap itself around the fact that if Aev’s feelings didn’t vanish in the next week or two, I might actually stand a chance at being with someone who could love me the way I’d always dreamed of being loved.

Fifteen

I fell asleep as soonas my head hit the pillow, and woke up in Aev’s arms. He was breathing steadily, but I thought I’d heard a knock or something. My face was tucked against his neck, and his arms were wrapped against my back, holding me to him.

Another knock sounded on the door, and I closed my eyes, sighing quietly. Aev’s arms tightened around me, and his lips brushed the top of my head once, and then again.

“Gotta get up,” I mumbled to him.

“Mmhm.” He squeezed me tightly, earning a quiet groan before he chuckled and released me. “I’ve got it.” His lips brushed my forehead, and then I watched his ass as he strode toward the door.

He was wearing shorts, unfortunately for me.

The unseelie had given up on their fancier clothing a while earlier though, so he was shirtless, whichwasfortunate for me.

He opened the door, and went still.

I frowned at his body language.

“Hey. Can we talk?” Naomi’s voice floated in—calm, and quiet.

I stiffened.

Aev didn’t glance at me. “I’d rather not,” he said simply. When he stepped back and started closing the door, she shoved past him and slid into our room.

Naomi glanced at me and bit her lip. “Sorry. I know this is weird.”

“It’s fine,” I said politely, though it was kind of a lie.

She looked at Aev. “Can we talk alone?”

My heart caught in my throat.

What if he actually wanted to talk to her alone?

Our talk about boundaries flashed through my mind, and despite the discomfort of the conversation, I was relieved that we’d talked about it. If he said yes to Naomi, he’d do so knowing that he was making me uncomfortable, and it would be the only red flag I needed to distance myself from him.

“No.” Aev didn’t hesitate, slipping his hands in his pockets and giving her a flat look.

“Alright. That’s okay.” She rocked back and forth on her heels a little before letting out a quick, harsh breath. “This is going to be awkward, but we might as well get it over with. While I was in the coma, changing my name, Vevol showed me my past. Mostly, the few interactions you and I had. I realized while she was showing them to me that I was a bitch to you. The situation between us was difficult for me, but you didn’t deserve the way I treated you. You were always kind to me, even when me and the bond were both horrible to you. I still think fate made a flamingly-shitty error by pairing us together, but I’m sorry that I made it worse for us. So… that’s it. I hope it gives you closure, and you don’t curse my name or anything.” She took a step back, toward the door. “I really am happy for you guys.”

I could see the wary shock in Aev’s eyes, and didn’t think he was going to say anything to her.

“Thanks.” I flashed her a tiny smile, so she knew she was good to leave like she clearly wanted to.

She nodded and then slipped out onto the balcony outside our door. I saw a flash of silver scales as she shifted, diving toward the ground. The skies weren’t safe, but those of us with wings needed to get aroundsomehow. She could’ve always just jumped down and tuned into her magic to fall more gently, but I wasn’t sure if she even knew how to do that, since she had avoided the fae men so thoroughly.

Aev let out a long breath, and I wrapped my arms around my abdomen, uncertain of what to say to him.

He walked back to the bed, sitting down on the edge of it and then reaching for me. Those gorgeous eyes of his met mine, and I gave him a tiny nod, answering his silent question. With my permission, he dragged me into his arms and held me to his chest.

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