“Looks like Sleeping Beauty’s finally awake,” he said.
Both of my demons left the window and joined me in bed, Ash curling up behind me, snuggling in close, Ronan sitting on the very edge before me, careful not to touch me.
Though mere inches separated Ronan and me, it felt as if another person had wedged himself between us. That invisible, formless monster was a constant companion we’d always carry, reminding us of everything we used to have. Everything Sebastian had stolen.
It was a sharp contrast to the closeness Asher and I had shared tonight, and it lit me up with rage.
Therehadto be another way. But until we could find it, we’d take what we could, stealing glances, breathing in each other’s scents, memorizing the sounds of laughter and voices and whispers, which had their own sweet cadence.
Keeping our voices low in the moonlit room, the three of us talked about the plans for the days ahead, which would be full of magical and combat training, Reva’s shadowmancy practice, intelligence gathering, big speeches, and above all, constant vigilance.
After what felt like minutes but had probably been an hour, Ronan rose from the bed and stretched, wishing us both good night.
“There’s room in here,” I said, patting the space in front of me. “If we slept in our clothes, and didn’t get too close…”
I trailed off. It was ridiculous that it’d come to this, and we both knew it.
“Emilio and Darius are on beach patrol tonight,” Ronan said. “I should probably go check on them. Good excuse to take the hounds for a stroll, anyway.”
“Aww, leaving so soon, demon?” Asher asked. Despite the teasing tone in his words, I knew he could sense how badly I wanted Ronan to stay.
I could sense the same feeling from him.
Ronan turned his back on us and opened the door. When he spoke again, his voice was rough. “You know I have to.”
“Ronan,” I said firmly, and he shook his head, refusing to look at me. I could almost feel the demons inside him, threatening to tear him apart.
Threatening to tear usbothapart.
“He owns our souls, not our hearts,” I whispered, and he finally turned around, locking his fierce hazel eyes on mine. “Stay with us tonight,” I said. “Please.”
Ronan closed his eyes and let out a sigh, but he finally pushed the door closed, sealing the three of us away in this perfect bubble once again.
With Asher still behind me, Ronan resumed his place in front of me, but this time he stretched out on his side, closer than he’d been before. His breath stirred the hair around my face, and he stared deeply into my eyes, reading me even as his own thoughts remained veiled.
“I wish I knew what you were thinking,” I said softly.
“You knowexactlywhat I’m thinking, Gray. I’malwaysthinking it. Same thing, every minute of every hour of every day.” He lifted a hand to my face, keeping it just shy of actual contact. Heat radiated from his palm as he traced an invisible caress down my cheek. “Every time I see your face. Hear your voice. Feel your presence. All I can think about is how much I need to touch you. How it’s eating away at me inside, knowing that I can’t do it without hurting you.”
Asher’s body went rigid behind me, anger pulsing from his skin. “One day, I’m going to kill that Kentucky Fried fuck.”
“You and me both, brother,” Ronan said.
“There has to be a way,” I said.
“To kill the prince of hell?” Asher said. “You bet your sweet little ass there’s a way. And as soon as we figure it out, we’re all getting a plane to Vegas, and we’re going on a motherfucking crime spree. Because we’re not just killing Sebastian. Hell no. We’re taking out every one of his minions and burning his casinos to the ground, too. And after that, we’re gonna piss on all the ashes.”
Ronan laughed, shattering the dark, dense weight that had settled over us. “You’ve got it all planned out, huh?”
“I’ve gotsketchbooksfull of ideas. Just you wait.”
“Okay, boys,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I appreciate your vivid imaginations when it comes to tormenting Sebastian, and believe me, I’m all in. But when I said there has to be a way, I meant a way for us to be together tonight.”
Asher’s hand slid over my hip, his lips tickling my shoulder blade. “Nowthere’sa sketch I’d like to see.”
“Will you guys try something with me?” I asked.
Asher cracked up, and Ronan gave me a crooked smirk.
