“If he’s up to something, he’ll be there tonight,” I countered. And that Death Blood was always up to something.
“Maybe we should go check it out,” Ella suggested. “See what’s happening.”
“It’s too early,” Kols replied, his shoes wearing a hole in the floor as he paced. “I have to wait for Emelyn to arrive as well.” He uttered that phrase through his teeth, his annoyance palpable.
He’d tried several times this week to convince his father to allow him to attend alone, but it was no use. Traditions were important to the Nacht family.
“I could go early,” I said. “Actually, I could go now, then meet up with you after you arrive to fill you in with my findings.”
It was the best plan I could come up with given everything.
And the look Kols gave me said he agreed.
“I’m not giving that speech,” he muttered. “I’d sooner out my mating to you all first.”
My lips twitched. “I’d enjoy that speech.”
“Yeah, up until the point the Elders call for our deaths, I’m sure,” he drawled.
I plucked the pin from the box in my hand, then tossed the container aside and made a show of adorning my Guardian symbol. “I don’t care if it was your father or not. I’m keeping this.”
“It’s where it belongs,” Kols replied, walking up to me again and grabbing my face between his palms. “Don’t do anything brash.”
“I don’t do brash.”
“Not usually, no,” he agreed. “But Aflora has a tendency to encourage us to act out of character.”
My lips twitched. He wasn’t wrong. “I’ll behave.”
“Well, now that’s not what I said at all,” he replied, a hint of teasing in his tone. He pressed his lips to mine, which seemed to only accentuate his commentary regarding us acting out of character. Because he never used to be this bold with me. And never in front of others.
Sure, Tray knew we fucked around.
But we kept it private.
And the way Kols was kissing me now was very much the opposite of private.
It was downright indecent, and I returned the favor by sinking my teeth into his lower lip and drawing blood. His golden irises swirled in response as I laved the wound.
Then I took a step back before he could repeat the action on my lip.
We weren’t ready for the final stage yet.
Not without Aflora.
“I’ll find you later,” I vowed. “Try not to kill Emelyn while I’m gone.”
Kols grunted. “I’m not promising anything.”
I smirked, then I nodded to a bemused Tray. He seemed speechless after the display of affection between me and Kols. Meanwhile, Ella was just grinning like a loon.
I rolled my eyes and let myself out.
Aflora,I murmured into the void of our connection.If I find out you’re here, I’m going to bend you over a table and spank your ass, then fuck you raw.
No reply.
My jaw ticked.
