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The two walk off down the hall, no doubt planning my seduction. Charlie is being his jovial self, and Illren is…not smiling, but he looks relaxed. It’s the chummiest I’ve ever seen him act with anyone. It’s unsettling.
“Is it just me,” Oliver mutters, slipping an arm around my waist, “or is that the beginning of a budding bromance?”
“Partners in crime, maybe,” I grumble.
Oliver chuckles. “It’s nice. Illren could use a friend. He’s been the odd man out since he moved in.”
I side-eye Oliver. “I believe that’s intentional.”
“Maybe.” Oliver shrugs. “But everyone needs friends. It’s funny that the broodiest winter fey would befriend the cheeriest summer fey, though.”
Thatiskind of amusing. It’s my turn to shrug. “Opposites attract and all that, I guess…”
Oliver grins. “Or our deadly assassin is secretly a romantic.”
I snort a disbelieving laugh, but Oliver raises a challenging brow. “He did bind himself to you on the hope that one day you would love him.”
I open my mouth, but no argument comes out. Illren really did do that. I sigh in defeat. Things are going to get really complicated around here.
Oliver nudges me. “He’s not so bad.” I gape at Oliver, and he blushes. “Killer for hire aside, of course.”
“Are you seriously championing him right now? Youwantme to hook up with him? And what about Charlie? I suppose I should just take him as a lover, too?”
Oliver gives me a lopsided grin. “Youarestuck with both of them.”
“Ollie!” I laugh. “I can’t believe you’re selling me out.”
I smack his shoulder, and he pulls me flush against his chest. The smile never leaves his face even as he lowers his lips to mine. I let myself get lost in his kiss. There’s been too much drama tonight, and things with Oliver are always so easy. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he melds our bodies together, warming mine all over. He pulls back just enough to look at me. “I only want there to be harmony in the den, and I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” I promise. “You make me happy.”
“Good.” He presses another soft kiss to my lips. “You want to sleep in my room with me tonight?”
A small thrill rushes through me. Oliver’s never asked me that before. He’s stayed with me when I was hurt, and we’ve sacked out together once or twice after a late night playing video games or binge-watching Netflix, but we’ve never just gone to bed together intentionally. It feels different. More relationship-y.
I want to take him up on the offer, but I shake my head. “I would, but I was planning to nap out here until Parker comes home.” I watch Oliver’s face closely for any signs of hurt or jealousy. I don’t find any, but I still feel compelled to explain myself. Oliver might be completely okay with this unconventional relationship, but I can’t seem to shake the guilt entirely. “It’s New Year’s Eve. I don’t want him to come home to a sleeping house. I want to at least say good night. And I should probably warn him about Charlie.”
Oliver chuckles again. “Yeah, that’s probably wise. He’s as likely to kill a stranger in our home as Illren.”
I laugh. “The difference is he would ask questions first.”
“True.” Oliver covers a yawn with his fist. “All right. I need to sleep.” He kisses my cheek. “Good night, Nora.”
I grin. “No class tomorrow, so I’ll see you in the morning for once.”
“Late morning, I hope. It is four a.m.”
The man has a point. “Okay, maybe noon.”
