I let out a laugh. “We’re on time. Don’t worry. They have like hours of previews before the actual movie starts. We could walk in twenty minutes after the start time, and it would be okay.”
Rathyn’s eyes narrow, and his lips curl down. “You did not tell me this, my Everest. You said we must arrive early. It is why I have not had my fifteen deposits today.”
“Oh my god, Rath. It’s not literally hours. It’s like fifteen minutes of trailers.”
Rathyn doesn’t say anything to that, just continues to frown, seeming to mull it over.
“Fine, but I would like two more cum deposits before the end of the night.”
Everest’s cheeks redden when a woman ushers her child through the doors, her hands over her ears. I bite back a laugh. Oh my god, this is going to be wild. Maybe staying a little longer won’t be the end of the world.
“Come on. Let’s get the tickets,” I say, trying to distract everyone.
Rathyn attempts to move to the front of the line, but Everest drags him back to where Cielo and I wait. “Remember, Vyastil wait in the human world,” he murmurs.
Rathyn says something under his breath in Eretharian, his tone making it sound like a swear word. If Cielo’s startled gasp is anything to go by, it’s a bad one.
Cielo’s tail curls around my waist, his arm around my shoulder, and I can’t help but let my fingers dip under the fabric tied around his waist, teasing his skin.
In my mind, I can feel lust rushing through him. How much he wants to pull me into his arms and stick his tongue down my throat. He doesn’t, though. Instead, he just sends filthy images into my head until I’m in a slight fog.
Ordering the tickets is a little more complicated when I’m attempting to hide the boner in my pants.
Luckily, Everest takes over, purchasing the tickets for all of us.
“Come on. Let’s get some popcorn and candy.”
“Yes!” Cielo says, following Everest and Rathyn into the lobby.
We hand a teen girl our tickets, and she smacks her gum loudly, murmuring boredly where the theater is located. “Theater fourteen is down the hall to the right.”
Rathyn peers down at her. “Do you get paid to speak like this, or do you do it for free?”
The girl looks up at him, her face scrunching up. She blinks at him and rolls her eyes. When she answers him, she has zero inflection in her voice. “It’s a hobby.”
Rathyn scoffs and strolls past, leaving Everest to profusely apologize to the girl. She seems entirely unfazed. She just picks up her phone and begins scrolling.
I snort softly, and Cielo trills as we make our way into the long line for the concession stand. It moves at the speed of molasses.
“By the time we get your popcorn and sugar, civilization will have fallen,” Rathyn grumbles. Everest ignores him and turns toward us.
“What are you going to get?” I ask Cielo. “Can I make a recommendation?”
Cielo nods, and I lean into him a little more, the ache in my joints starting to become more noticeable. I don’t want it to ruin my night tonight, though. I refuse.
“Okay, so I want you to try all of it, but it’s so expensive…”
“You know I can afford anything,” Rathyn interjects. “Even if they are…” he leans forward and examines two boxes a woman is holding as she strolls back. “Things that look unnatural.”
Everest makes a face while I consider taking him up on the offer. I don’t know how much Vyastil in Rathyn’s position make,but I’m guessing they have access to unlimited human currency. I mean, just look at how they live and how little respect they have for how much things cost.
I urge Cielo to look over the bright items on display. “I’m thinking something chocolate, something sweet, and something sour. And then of course, popcorn.”
“Yes. I want poooopcorn.”
Everest bobs his head and cuts in, “With lots of butter and salt. Yeah.”
“Yes,” I agree. It doesn’t matter if it’s poison. It’s also a necessity. Cielo glances down at me, and I lean up and peck a kiss on his cheek. “If you don’t like any of it, we can just toss it, or I can bring it home. Luca will for sure eat it.”
