Her grin cracks into a wide smile and we both laugh, pulling a curious look from the males. She nods towards them, waving them away. “My point is, you are a grown female and more than free to do whatever you want to do. I just want to be sure you have the resources to do so safely." She tips her head down to the glass bottle in my lap. “If you so choose.”
I nod slowly, comprehending what she’s dancing around. “What’s the dosage?” I ask, making sure to keep my voice low.
“One dropperful on days you sleep with them. Specifically if they . . .” She trails off and I grin, noticing the small amount of color in her olive cheeks.
“I understand.” I'm grinning from ear to ear, sparing her the awkwardness.
She sighs with relief. “Good. When you run out, let me know and I’ll get you another vial.” She pulls the cuff off my arm, wrapping the contraption up and stowing it away. “You appear to be doing just fine now—seems a bit of Arcane magic was all you needed. Even if what led you here gave all of us the fright of our lives.” She eyes me for a moment. “But if you ever need anything, you come find me. Okay? I know this world is still so new to you. And now you have the Arcane flowing through you to top it off. It would be a lot for anyone to process.”
“Thank you.” I reach out for her hand, squeezing softly. “For everything, Laurel. You’ve been such a good friend to me these past couple weeks, I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
She squeezes my hand back, leaning in. “You repay me by going out there tonight and having the time of your life. Shake your ass, get laid. Drink till your heart’s content.” And I blush when I realize she’s not referring to alcohol. “Enjoy this Esbat.”
She pats the back of my hand and I see a wave of something pass through her dark eyes. She turns her attention back towards Andras, keeping his large form in her vision as she leans in and lowers her voice. “I fear more trying times are coming, Evangeline. So take this opportunity. Take tonight. And enjoy yourself.”
Iwalk out to the parking lot of the clubhouse, pulling my veil in place to join the other Blood Order members to ride to the Market Ebon together. Andras has already issued our orders, splitting us up in pairs of two to patrol the busiest parts of the ungoverned district. There’s enough of us that we take shifts, allowing everyone the opportunity to participate in Esbat.
Though my spirit feels far from festive.
I know I pushed Zeke too far this morning. I asked for too much. And now he’s taking that anger out on himself, rather than punishing me properly for abusing his dominance.
I’ve been dead to the world since then, barely waking up with enough time to chug the coffee Zeke brought me and ready myself for the festivities. But all I want to do is see Evangeline. Explain my absence. Make sure she’s okay, withmy own eyes. Not Zeke’s reassurances that she’s okay. Not the frustrating and sudden high spirits between Quinn and Aamon as they ready their bikes beside me.
I need her.
My soul won’t rest until it has her.
As if an answer to my very own prayer, I turn around to see her walk out the doors to the clubhouse. My heart bottoms out, the sensation going straight to my cock. Her lavender tresses are curled delicately, their wispy ends dusting her arms as she struts forward. Her eyes burn brighter than they ever have before, ignited with the power of the Arcane. And to top it all off, she’s wearing another one of those short, flowy black dresses. This one is a mock corset that has the swell of her breasts nearly spilling over the neckline.
I let my eyes trail down her body, taking in the fishnets caging in the smooth curves of her legs and I’m instantly envisioning what her ass looks like in them, without the dress in the way. She’s finished off the look with a pair of leather combat boots and a cropped leather jacket that nearly mimics the Blood Order cuts. By the time she stops just in front of me with a “Hey,” I’m a drooling, incompetent fool.
“Evangeline, I—” I swallow, trying to find the words to say, but she holds up a hand before I can continue.
“I’m so sorry, Sterling.”
“Sorry?” I ask, shaking my head. Why isshethe one apologizing?
“I feel awful for how worried you must have been this morning. I wanted to find you and check in, I just . . .” Her sweet little voice trails off and I swear the rosy color of her cheeks deepens.
“Angel,” I hum, pulling her into me. “You have nothing to be sorry for. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me for going MIA.” My heart aches from being away from her, especially after almost losing her last night. But the weight of her in my hands now as I run my palm over the curve of her ass . . . It’s a blessing I don’t deserve. It settles the anxiety in my bones in a way I don’t think it’s ever been settled before.
“Ride with me?” I ask as I lean in, my nostrils flaring at the scent of my soap on her skin. She pulls back just enough to look up into the eyes of my veil. She nods, the movement almost imperceptible with how transfixed she is in my presence. I mirror the grin on her perfect lips and guide her back towards my bike.
I slide onto the saddle, careful to keep her hand in mine as I guide her onto the bike behind me. She settles in against me, the inside of her bare thighs hugging my ass, and I stiffen slightly as she adjusts closer to me. I turn to look at her over my shoulder, about to ask if she’s ready to go, but then I see Aamon making his way towards us.
“Fuck,” I mumble under my breath.
“What’s wrong?” Evangeline cocks her head, her arms slipping around my middle and squeezing in tighter.
“Now I know you aren’t leaving,” Aamon lectures, a haughty tone hanging on his words. Evangeline nearly jumps out of her skull at his sudden presence. Aamon’s veil sits precariously atop his head, not yet donned, and I can’t help but notice the way the corner of his eyes crinkle at her reaction.
I open my mouth to argue that he’s had all of yesterday with her and that the least he could do is allow her to ride with me to the Market Ebon. But he huffs out something akin to a laugh and pulls a hand out from behind his back to reveal a helmet clutched tightly in his grip. “Not without this.”
I breathe the smallest sigh of relief that he’s not actually fighting me on this, but can’t help but notice the hint of irritation in Evangeline’s features. Aamon ignores it, stepping up to the side of my bike and fastening the helmet in place.
“You’re ruining my hair,” Evangeline gripes, and I can’t contain the amusement that bubbles inside me. It’s nice to have someone here that doesn’t immediately bend to Aamon’s will. A refreshing change.
Aamon’s jaw tightens, but he ignores the comment, pulling down roughly on the chin strap to ensure it’s secure. “You can ride with him, but that’s it.” His words trigger a storm within me. He can’t possibly be serious.
