There’s a bar a few steps from the entrance where several Fae are leaning up against and sipping from their tankards.
Bastian pulls us in that direction and flags down the barkeep. She takes one look at him and instantly straightens, rushing over. The patrons further down the bar side eye the two of us. I hear the shuffle of feet as a few of them slide further away from where we stand. My brows furrow in confusion. I sneak a peek at Bastian, still wearing his lifted hood. I suppose hedoeslook a bit intimidating like this.
“Sebastian, how nice to see you. I didn’t know we were expecting you again so soon,” she rambles on nervously. She’s absolutely gorgeous. Tall, lithe, long raven hair, deep navy-blue eyes that seem to sparkle.
“You weren’t expecting me,” he says cooly. “Have you got some space for the night, Helena?”
“Oh, yes of course! Anything for you,” she says warmly with a bright smile. I can’t explain it but her reaction rankles me and sets me on edge. She seems very familiar with Bastian, and I don’t like it. She finally notices me standing beside him and her eyes flick between us, lifting a brow with a slight smirk. Her question is immediately clear, even if she hadn’t said it out loud. “One room or two?”
“Two, please,” Bastian answers quickly.
Her smile widens which makes me clench my jaw so tight I can feel my teeth grinding.
“Give me a minute and I’ll fetch the keys,” she says, heading into a back room behind the bar.
A squeeze of my hand draws my scathing glare away from the doorHelenawent through and instead to Bastian’s feline grin.
“What?” I grind out.
“Maybe it’s a good thing we haven’t been able to manifest your abilities yet,” he says still smiling.
“And why’s that?”
His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Poor Helena would be on the floor in ashes.”
I narrow my eyes at him in a glare before turning my attention back towards the bar. I hear him chuckle beside me which only stokes my anger further.
The heat of his body warms me as he leans in close to my ear. “Jealousy is a good look on you,staellara,” he whispers.
“I amnotjealous,” I say between gritted teeth.
He hums in a sarcastic agreement that comes off as more of asure you’re not.
Before I can snap back at him, Helena returns with two keys. She quickly rattles off instructions to Bastian that myanger won’t let me focus on. I only catch the tail end of their conversation.
“I’ll send some food up to your rooms,” Helena offers with a soft smile as she hands over the keys, her hand lingering in his for a second longer than is normal of a barkeep and customer relationship.
Bastian returns her smile. “Much appreciated, Helena,” he says in thanks.
Are they really going to flirt right in front of me? Get a fucking room first!
I fist my free hand at my side and take a deep inhale, trying to soothe the overwhelming anger rising up.
Bastian pulls me behind him as he makes his way towards the stairs that are tucked away in the back corner. We climb up two flights before he brings us to the very end of the hall.
“Here’s your key, your room is this one here,” he says, gesturing to the door behind me. “Mine is this one across the hall.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder indicating the door behind him, which is indeed right across the hall from mine. “Food should be up in a few minutes. I’ll come grab you when it’s delivered to my room. Other than that, I’ll leave you to bathe and get some sleep.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to pull my hand from his to retreat into my room to stew in my anger alone, but he doesn’t release my hand.
“Lock the door once you get inside and don’t open it for anyone but me, okay?” His expression is stern.
I roll my eyes. “Do I have to open it for you?”
His eyes narrow with a glare. “Yes.”
“Ugh, fine.” I jerk on my hand and this time he lets me go.
I shove the key into the lock roughly and swing open the door, letting it slam behind me. I make it all but one step before I hear Bastian’s voice.
