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“It’s my fault,” he said softly. “I left, and Aleksandra became the Prime. She probably didn’t even choose it.”
Her gaze skipped along the mosaic—half in the light at this end, the other half enshrouded in shadow and glimmering under the bioluminescent vines. “I still review events to see if I could have paid more attention to Nile’s red flags. But there’s only so much I could do. We all think, in hindsight, we can change the past, but we wouldn’t be who we are today without it. I would never have fought so hard to clean up the environment… You would never have followed your star to the Order of the Well.”
Nova pointed at the star Jackson had kept close. “Look at how far you traveled, how hard you pushed to honor me. And then, finally, you accepted that you had to let me go.”
Leaf straightened. His eyes narrowed on hers. “Ifailedyou. I couldn’t find you. I didn’t let you go.”
“Perhaps you should stop making up your own version of history,Hoja de los Guardianes. Read the damned letter.”
Amusement twinkled in his eyes before that lofty arrogance took control.
“I’ll read the letter,” he ground out. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
She loved how his steel will bent for her. Even when he said hurtful things, she needed to remind herself that it was only a matter of time before he saw sense and apologized. From how his possessive eyes filled with heat as he looked her over, the apology wouldn’t be far off. Maybe it would involve more of that insistence to pleasure her until she screamed—multiple times.
Nova’s body reacted, her skin tightening with arousal. Seizing the opportunity, Leaf used his hard body to flatten her against the wall. More amusement flickered in his gaze.
“Does the thought of me reading a letter get you hot?”
“Umm.” She dug her hands into his belt and glanced at him through her lashes. “It’s when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?” His voice was low as he nipped her chin. A shiver skated through her body.
“Like you’ll keep me in line.”
He pulled back, and that frown had returned. “But when I said you won’t be at the battle, you didn’t like it.”
“Of course not. You decidedwithoutconsulting me. In life, we are equals. But in the bedroom…” She smirked wickedly. “I like it when you get all bossy Team Leader with me. I like feeling safe enough to let go of needing to protect myself.”
Her brows puckered at the self-realization. She’d always left her defenses on her entire life, or Niles would get the better of her. Even when she’d left the States to work in poor countries, she’d had to be careful with her trust. And Jace, bless his soul, hadn’t protected her from Niles.
Leaf’s frown deepened as he said, “But I want you to feel safe in life, too.”
“Oh,Papi.” She brushed her thumb along his jaw. “I do feel safe. With you, I’ve felt safer than I’ve ever felt. But being included in decisions that affect my life also makes me feel safe. And I understand you don’t want me in the thick of battle. That makes sense. But acting like I don’t have a say or treating me like one of your subordinates, especially in front of them, hurts my feelings. Do you understand?”
“Maybe,” he grumbled, then nodded to the garden through the exit. “Let’s eat.”
Maybe meant yes. Nova smiled as she followed him into a private, sunken courtyard and gasped. It was beautiful. Unlike the steps at the front, which had tiny culverts bordering them, these steps were filled with cascading water that joined a small, churning pool. Around the pool, ferns and flourishing plants grew. It smelled so fresh. A soft green lawn with tiny purple flowers carpeted a curved area behind the water. A tall tree provided shelter but let in enough sunlight that it wasn’t too cold.
Leaf strode to the lawn and spread Nova’s cape for them to sit on. He lowered himself and opened the basket, then lifted his gaze expectantly. Seeing the big, muscular elf in leather battle gear trying to set up a picnic was adorable. She kicked off her sandals and crossed the grass on bare feet.
“Oh, God,” she moaned, taking that first step. She wiggled her toes and massaged more tingling grass into the soles of her feet. “This feels so good.”
Leaf’s brows lifted, and he sprawled back on his elbows, watching her with a slight curve to his lips. “This entire grotto is a source of power,” he said. “Everywhere you touch, you’ll feel your connection to the Well strengthen. It’s why the Order was set up here.”
“I thought it was because of the ceremonial lake nearby.”
“That, too, but…” His gaze flicked to a cluster of reeds with white flowers bursting from their stems. “They look rather like stars, don’t you think?”
ChapterThirty-Seven
Leaf watched Nova’s cheeks flush as she went to touch the starry flowers. She held one to her nose and inhaled. She glanced at him, and her emotions soared with love and melancholy.
“Come here.” He patted the cape beside him.
She nodded and padded over, sinking into a pool of her dress skirt. He tugged her down the rest of the way until she pressed against him, lying on her side. He brushed hair from her face and couldn’t believe how beautiful her eyes were under the sky.
“Why so sad?” he asked.
