“How do you know?” they asked against his shoulder, and he smiled.
“I got a good feeling.”
With a broken laugh, they looked at him, smiling through their tears. “Always the optimist.”
He shrugged, wiping away their tears with the heel of his hand. “Things’ll work out. You’ll see. Just come with me. I know it’s a big ask, but I’m still asking. Come with me, Cya.”
Nodding, they dug their nails into the back of his neck. “Okay.”
“Good.” He kissed them hard. “That’s real good.”
Using the suitcase set Cya retrieved from under their bed, they loaded up as much of their clothing and belongings as they possibly could until each bag was bursting at the seams. Even then, there was still so much they had to leave behind, and Cya nearly burst into tears again.
“I’m not built for poverty!” they bemoaned, burying their face in their hands. “Oh gods, this is a mistake.”
“Hey!” he barked, startling them from their spiral. He captured their chin in his hand and added just enough pressure for them to feel it. “You’re Cya fucking Vysov, and you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Slowly, they nodded, determination and fire igniting in their eyes. “I’m Cya fucking Vysov.”
“Yeah, you are. You’re brave.”
“I’m brave,” they echoed uncertainly.
“And you’re strong.”
“And I’m strong,” they repeated with more iron in their voice.
“And you’re gonna make poverty your bitch.”
The skin around their eyes crinkled with their smile. “Yeah, I will.”
“Make me believe it, highness.”
“I’m going to make poverty my fucking bitch!” they shouted, and he kissed them.
“Hells to the yeah, you will.”
“And I’ll make your ass my bitch later,” they declared, and he arched an eyebrow.
“Okay, killer, reel it in.”
“Sorry, it’s the adrenaline. I think I’m freaking out a bit.”
They launched themself at him and kissed him hungrily, all tongues and teeth, and Dex scooped them up, giving as good as he got. When they broke apart, they were both out of breath.
“I love you, Dex Triever,” they gasped against his lips, and he grinned, showing many teeth.
“I love you too, Cya Zoia Vysov.”
With one last kiss, Cya nodded resolutely. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Chapter twenty-nine
Pack
Dex
Atthebaseofthe grand rampcase, Cya’s parents faced off with Hemersyn, Toni, and Quin. A sixth person hovered in the background, a nervous looking Rhopa, his wings fluttering anxiously behind him. Dex had never seen him before, but he assumed he was to the Vysovs what Hemersyn was to Cya.
