Rathyn hums again but says nothing, which is disappointing. I was hoping that since Cielo hasn’t explained why he won’t take it, Rathyn might know.
He turns on his heel and walks over to where Cielo and Everest are, and perches himself beside Cielo, who attempts to sit at attention. Rathyn stops him quickly, singing something to him in their language, which makes Cielo instantly relax.
It’s clear this is a private moment because after a tender touch to Rathyn’s cheek, Everest stands up and wanders over to where I’m pretending to fiddle with the machine.
“How’s it going here?” Everest asks. He reaches out with nervous hands, touching a few of the buttons before adjusting the settings, and I realize I probably won’t need Gia after all. “Is he…I mean…is he doing okay?”
I let out a puff of air and shrug. “As best as he can be, considering what happened to him.” I swallow thickly. “His wounds are bad.”
Everest bows his head. “That’s my fault.”
“You didn’t do it,” I point out and hope that it’s true because it doesn’t seem like Everest at all. He cares about Cielo, and the way he was sobbing when he brought Cielo to my car that night is not something he can fake.
He shrugs. “I have a big mouth. A big, dumb mouth that always gets people into trouble.” He bites his lip, then glances at Cielo and Rathyn, who are speaking rapidly. Cielo looks a little more at ease the longer the conversation continues. “I should have known better.”
Reaching out, I squeeze his arm, then hear a loud growl coming from the couch.
“Knock it off!” Everest snaps, his glare darting over toward Rathyn. “He’s my friend, and he’s allowed to give me comfort when I need it.”
“Do not forget who you belong to,” Rathyn says simply. He turns away, but for some reason, it still feels like he’s watching me.
“Sorry,” Everest breathes. “He does that. He won’t tear off your arms or anything, though.”
I blink and then blink again. “Is that, like, a real threat?”
Everest grimaces as he leans his hip against the counter. “I mean, I haven’t seen it happen, but I get the impression he would if he felt like someone was trying to encroach on his territory. Vyastil tend to be very, very possessive. Cielo killed a dude for beating my ass.”
My eyes widen. Cielo?MyCielo? Well, shit, he’s notmine, but it feels like he is, and I can’t help the thought.
Whatever the fuck that means.
“Good lord.”
Everest shrugs. “I appreciated it at the time, but yeah. They can get a bit…intense. Don’t panic if Cielo gets a little clingy.”
I don’t tell Everest that I won’t mind that at all. It’s kind of my vibe. Instead, I wipe my hands on a kitchen towel, then pull the bowl of pasta dough toward me that’s been resting.
“Want to help?”
“Homemade pasta?” Everest asks, his eyes wide.
“And veggie noodles,” I explain. “My cousin—she lives next door—she’s making a couple of other things, too. Figured it’s a good night for a feast.”
“I think I love you,” Everest says. “All Rathyn eats is freaking moss.”
“You do not love him!” Rathyn calls from the other side of the room.
This time, Everest doesn’t yell at him. His eyes go soft, filled with hearts, and he sighs.
Shit, I want that. I really, really fucking want that. I just don’t know if Cielo is the kind of being who will be capable of letting me in.
three
DANTE
Ididn’t think I was nervous about Gia and Amara meeting Cielo. They’re not bigoted or anything. They have a couple Vyastil working for them at their company, so they know what they’re like and even seem to be friendly with them.
But for some reason, having Cielo sitting silently beside me at the dinner table with Luca across from me and my cousins to my left makes me feel…
