Gotchoo.
Satisfaction fills my chest.
“I’m happy to see you too, darling,” I coo.
My words snap her out of it. Blinking rapidly, she looks away and clears her throat.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Her words are harsh, but there’s no heat in them.
Now that I see her better…she looks paler than usual. A thin coat of sweat covers her face. She swallows and licks her lips before pushing off the door.
I let go of the pipes. “Are you okay? What happened?”
Phoenix waves her hand dismissively at me and approaches. “I’m fine. It doesn’t matter. I came here because we need to talk.”
I spread my arms, welcoming her. “Please, I’m all ears.”
She looks up at me and our eyes meet. She tries, I can see she does, but her gaze keeps slipping down before snapping back up.
When I smirk, she shakes her head and frowns. “This is serious, Jax.”
“I’m always serious.”
She gives me a pointed look. My smirk grows into a smile.
I know I shouldn’t tease her all the time. But I just can’t help myself.
It’s too much fun.
“Come on, Nix.” I pout. “I can call you Nix, right?”
“Whatever,” she mumbles. “Your bruises are healing up nicely.”
“Perks of my superior lineage.” I wink. “Being half fae, half dwarven has benefits.”
She nods, absentmindedly. Sways a little on her feet.
Alarm rings in my mind, and I take a step closer. “You sure you’re okay? You’re awfully pale.”
Nix frowns, winces, but shakes her head. “I’m fine. Listen, I talked with Noire about your…situation.”
My eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline. “Okay. What about it?”
For a moment, she looks at me while worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
I wait for her to speak.
I’ve made my peace with my situation. I know how deep into shit I am.
Best-case scenario, I spend the rest of my days locked in this cell. Rotting away.
Maybe Talbot’s Caligos lackeys will get to me sooner or later, ending it quickly.
Or, my dear Nix will execute me for my crimes.
Her gaze turns panicked the more time passes.
