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I didn’t forget about the ingredients; I just forgot about the time limit. Zissa was going to go over everything during dinner, but I missed it to attend to Knots. I wonder if he’s okay to come today.
Meeting Knox at the closet, I realize I have no idea how I should dress for this excursion. “Do we have any idea what to wear?” I ask, worrying my lip.
He shrugs. “Well, according to Zissa, the merchant said there are razor sharp plants and various monsters. So, my guess… protective wear.”
I give him a pursed smile. “You’re so helpful,” I say sarcastically and roll my eyes.
“Anything for you, kitten.” He laughs and kisses me hard on the lips.
A knock on my door pulls our attention away from each other.
“Come in,” Knox calls out, and when you speak of devils, they always appear.
Zissa pops her head in and smiles when her eyes land on us by the closet. “Well, good morning. I’m glad to see you up and dressed,” she says, walking in.
“To answer your question, Rez, something like that.” Knox points over his shoulder, motioning to Zissa’s attire.
It seems she has embraced Moni’s assessment of her yesterday, dressed head-to-toe like Xena: Warrior Princess, but in a black leather dress and boots up to her mid thigh. What really completes the look is her battle armor over her tunic, with armbands, shoulder guards, knee guards, gauntlets, and a backpiece and breastplate.
“Are we going to war? I thought we were collecting ingredients?” I ask as I’m struck in awe at the vast difference of clothing choice between Knox and her. “Now, he’s dressed like I would expect us to be while collecting shit.”
She gives me a winning smile. “Yes, but his real weapon is shifting. What’s yours?” she asks, raising her eyebrows and placing her hands on her hips.
My jaw clenches as I contemplate smacking her smug smile off her face. “Excuse me, missy. My weapon so happens to be a newly developed shield, which I can use at will now,” I sass back with a little head roll.
“Oh really? So does that mean you’ve found your limits with it yet?” Zissa fires smoothly.
My eyes narrow as I take in my opponent across from me. It’s been a while since I’ve come across such a great foe. I internally shake my head. Fuck, now I’m acting like Lynx. I’m giving her a chance here… She’s not a complete foe… yet. Hmm. We shall see how this plays out.
I suck on my teeth as I decide how to approach this. “No, but it’s still a skill, so it counts,” I retort, taking it as a win. “But I do see your point,” I say, and Knox chuckles before kissing me hard.
“I’ll be down in the kitchen, packing some food,” Knox says, walking towards the door. “Come on, Reaper.”
I hear a yip from behind me as my pup takes off after Knox and trips over his tail. He’s so cute. Turning back to the closet, I quickly think of something similar to Zissa’s outfit and step inside to get dressed. I opt to wear black jeans, black knee-high boots and a lilac long sleeve top that extends over my knuckles. I make sure there’s thicker material for my shoulders, elbows, knees, and wrist, and walk out, spreading my arms out for her inspection.
“Perfect badassery,” she purrs, giving me a flirty wink, but I know it’s harmless. I can’t help but smile. I have to admit it’s nice having another female look at me as something other than garbage, like the Harpies. I might have to let her know I’m not into her that way, but she will do.
“I agree.” Ryker’s voice comes out of nowhere. I peer over Zissa’s shoulder and spot Ryker leaning against my closed door.
When our eyes meet, my throat suddenly goes dry at his haunted look. I haven’t wanted to talk since I walked away from him in Lilith’s spell room, and I’m not sure where to even start. He nibbles on the hoop in his bottom lip for a second as Zissa turns and smiles at him. Zeke walks out of the bathroom right as Ryker decides to say more.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” His voice cracks slightly before he clears his throat.
“Well, that’s my cue. I’m going to run to my room real quick. I’ll meet you guys in the hall.” Zeke waves on his way to the door.
“I think I’ll join ya,” Zissa calls out before joining him.
After Zeke and Zissa step out of the room, Ryker shuts the door and turns to face me once again.
His jaw clenches as I sit at the end of my bed and look down at my hands. I don’t know who should apologize first. I was the one that overreacted in the first place, but then again he’s the—
“Rez?” I glance up at his voice and visibly jerk back slightly at his presence in front of me. Kneeling down, he balances on the soles of his boots and grabs my hands. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I,” I confess.
“No, you’re not allowed to say sorry,” he chides, shaking his head and giving me a pursed smile. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” He squeezes my hands and closes his eyes for a brief moment, and my heart skips at his words. “I know it’s no excuse for my earlier actions, Rez, but I’ve never had anyone I’ve cared enough to introduce, let alone a mate. So, it never occurred to me that what I did was even a mistake until Zissa laid into me.”
I search for the truth of his words in his eyes, and I find it there as he stares back at me. He looks so lost, and his slightly widened eyes lead me to believe he’s scared I won’t believe him.
