“I’m working on a gravy terrine for him, but I need a bit more time attaching the handle to the skull—”
“No, I mean… Can he be my beastfriend too?”
“I don’t know, scarecrow,” I tease, knowing damn well I’dneversay no to something that puts such a smile on her pretty face. “What’sthatgargoyle bringing to the table? Not my priceless works of art, that’s for sure.”
“He feeds me. Like, constantly. All my favorites. And lots of stuff I’ve never even tried before, too.”
“Anyone could feed you, darling.”
“Yeah, but not everyone keeps a running list of all my allergies and dietary restrictions, and goes out of their way to find substitute ingredients, and—”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, you’ve made your point. Auggie’s in.” I laugh. “Anyone else on this beastfriend wish list of yours?”
“Hmm.Maybe.”
“Great.” I brush a trail of kisses along her jawline, slowly working my way to her ear. “Clearly, I’m going to have to up my game to compete with Rook.”
She sighs softly, sliding her hands up to curl around my horns, giving them a gentle stroke. Then, in a sweet little whisper, “You’re doing just fine, Jude.”
Fuck, the way she says my name, the way her lips round out in the middle of it… Drives me wild every fucking time.
Holding her like this, feeling the solid weight and warmth of her in my arms while she touches me, while she whispers my name like that…
The thought that anyone ever hurt her before… That we weren’t around to protect her back then…
The rage I’ve worked so hard to keep in check since last night threatens to erupt.
“Westlyn,” I say softly, my voice trembling.
“Hmm, busting out the real name?” She draws back, cradles my face between her hands. “You must be more freaked out than I thought.”
“I’m not freaked out. Just…”Fuck, I don’t have the words for this. Rook’s the one with all the smart things to say, all the right similes and whatnot. Me? I can bust heads and slice off appendages any night of the week, but when it comes to getting my jumbled-up thoughts across, I’m fucking useless.
“That’s partly why I didn’t want to tell you guys,” she says, tracing her thumbs across my cheeks. “It’s… it’s a lot to process, and maybe I shouldn’t have laid it on you. Besides, it’s all in the past now, and—”
“Hey.Hey.” I close my eyes and touch my forehead to hers, wishing I couldliterallyjust fucking breathe her in, keep her locked inside me where no one could ever touch her. But that’s not possible, and I’d fucking miss holding her like this, and hearing her say my name, and watching her feed her birds and push Drae’s buttons and moan over Auggie’s cooking and fuck… all the hundreds of little ways she’s invaded my heart. So all I can do is the next best thing—take care of her. Fucking takecareof her.
“Your past is part of your life, scarecrow,” I say softly. “And now you’re part ofourlives. I bloodyhatethat it happened to you, but I’m glad you told us. I want to know about you. All the big and little and beautiful and terrible things that shaped you intothiswoman, right here. Becausethiswoman?” I sigh against her lips. “She’s pretty damn perfect.”
She doesn’t say anything. Just tilts her head and kisses me, soft and slow and delicious.
When we break for air, I slide my claws out of her shorts and take her hands, pressing a kiss to each of her fingers. To the ring on her thumb—the one I gave her the first night she came to Blackmoor.
“No one willeverhurt you like that again, Westlyn Avery,” I say. “Thatis a promise. And as for the ones who’ve already done it, they’re not long for this world.”
“Jude.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “I’m not even sure if they’re still in the city. They could be in Topeka for all we—”
“Chelsea, actually. And Hell’s Kitchen.” I tell her about Rook’s databases, all the details he learned about the soon-to-be dead mages who hurt her, along with the mystery doctor visiting Hunter—Pomeroy’s mother.
“Wow,” she says. “Rook works fast.”
“He’s our spymaster, scarecrow. And he’s very, very good at his job.”
She opens her eyes and threads her fingers behind my neck. “How many times do I have to tell you? You don’t have to go on some bloody rampage to avenge my honor.”
“I don’thaveto, no.” I grin, trying to force a bit more levity into my voice. Trying to keep that fury at bay. “I’m doing it for the pure pleasure of it. You know how I love bashing skulls with mallets and tying intestines into knots.”
“I didn’t know thatspecifically, but…” She sighs, her shoulders dropping. “Jude, I’m serious. It’s not worth it. Risking your cover, your lives… What if you get caught? What if you get hurt?”
