Page 31 of Dark Fey Captive

He rolled us so I was lying on my side, facing him, and brushed my hair back from my cheek.

His yellow gaze swept over my face.

Could he see what I was up to?

“Stay warm. I will find both for you.”

Excitement ripped through me. He didn’t leave, though. He stayed where he was, watching me expectantly.

Shit. This was one of those silent negotiations Gwen mentioned, wasn’t it? The first one to make an offer lost. But if I stayed quiet, he wouldn’t leave. I was already lucky the others hadn’t returned yesterday to try looking for me. I couldn’t keep delaying.

Playing it safe, I decided on a move that would leave some room to negotiate.

He watched me lean in, his pupils growing wider.

I brushed my lips against his cheek. When I pulled back, his pupils were so wide, they looked human.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Nav.”

His fingers twitched against my hip.

I didn’t do or say anything else as I waited for him to counter. After a few long moments, he pressed his forehead to mine.

“Thank you.”

Then he got out of bed and left. Naked. Again.

I scrambled out from the covers and hurried to put on yesterday’s clothes, along with several more layers from the suitcase. The owners had packed well. It didn’t matter if the clothes were dirty or clean—I took what I needed. The three pairs of socks on my feet would keep them warm, and two pairs of longer socks over my arms would help resist a bite.

Hoping not to test that theory, I left the room with the signal bra safely tucked into my shirt.

The hallway was empty, all the doors now open.

Frowning, I wondered when he’d done that, then hurried down the hall toward the stairs. The fire door was closed. First, I listened. Then, I knocked on it just like Nav had.

Nothing.

Was the door too thick to hear, or was it really empty?

After taking a few breaths for courage, I eased the door open and listened again.

Nothing.

I crept into the stairwell and hurried up to the third-floor door to repeat the nerve-wracking process, aware of each passing second.

Nav moved so fast. How long had he been gone already? How soon until he found me missing?

Slipping into the hallway, I made my way to the first door. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open like the ones on the second floor.

A quick scan of the hallway didn’t give me a solution. I couldn't break down the door like Nav could.

The fire door creaked.

I froze, gaze straight ahead, too afraid to look for a second.

“Arena?”

A relieved sigh escaped me at the sound of Nav’s voice, and I turned toward him. The mad scramble to think of an excuse died at the sight of him. His broad shoulders and abs were nice, but I barely noticed them.