AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Glad I hadn’t put my foot so far into my mouth that I couldn’t remove it, I let out a relieved exhale.
“I just don’t want to do anything to ruin this—living here with both of you. I do feel safe and like that I’m able to be myself for the first time in a very long time. I just don’t want to lose that.” As soon as those words were out of my mouth, I wanted to kick myself. “But that doesn’t mean you need to feel obligated to keep me. If either of you meets a female you want to bring home, all you have to do is say the word, and I’ll find someone else to take me in.”
It wouldn’t be easy, not with being exiled from Tenacity still hanging over my head. Sure, the fey didn’t seem to care overly much, and Mya had given me her blessing, but I hesitated to believe I could find as friendly of a welcome as I did with Turik and Vorx.
“Agreed?” I pressed when neither of them made a sound.
They shared a look then grunted in their non-committal way.
Before I could press for more, there was a knock on our door. Nervous about having company, I stood when Vorx went to answer it and was grateful I was wearing leggings and a solid shirt. My desperation to make a good impression must have shown on my face because Turik kissed the top of my head and tugged me against his side.
When Vorx opened the door and I saw Drav standing there, my stomach dropped. A visit from the guy in charge couldn’t be a good thing.
His gaze swept over the three of us as he entered. He nodded in greeting to the fey before settling his gaze on me.
“Mya thinks the gunshots you heard near the lake might be Nat and his men since Turik mentioned seeing guns when he rescued you. I’m asking for volunteers to search around the lake and want someone who can identify if any humans found are the exiled ones from Tenacity.”
“You want me to go?” I asked, surprise lacing my words.
“No,” Turik said, his arm tightening around me. “He’s asking me to join the group.”
I tipped my head to look up at Turik.
The idea of staying here without him, even though I had Vorx, created waves of fear that lapped at my insides. Not that I could say no. Not when Mya and Drav had listened to my warning and were taking me seriously.
“If it’s Nat, you’ll need to be extra careful,” I said, unable to look away from Turik. “Don’t let him hurt you. Promise me.”
My voice broke at the end, and Turik wrapped me in a hug. I leaned into his embrace, desperate for the contact and the comfort. His hand smoothed over my hair, and he kissed the top of my head.
“Nat can’t hurt me, Shelby. You will see. I will return without injury. I’m better than Vorx.”
Vorx grunted a laugh, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile. Instead, I tightened my death grip around Turik’s waist.
“When do we leave?” Turik asked.
“Now, before the humans can go far.”
A second later, Vorx untangled me from Turik’s hold and hugged me from behind.
“I will keep you safe, Shelby,” he said low against my ear. “You have my word.”
My worried gaze remained locked on Turik, who leaned in to kiss my forehead. At the last second, I stood on my toes and tipped my head back. Our lips touched, the lightest brush of contact that sent a searing ache to my heart. When he moved to pull back, I took his face in my hands and parted my lips.
He growled and held my face in return. Instead of giving me the ravishing kiss I wanted, he peppered my face with little kisses while Vorx continued to hold me.
“I will return at nightfall,” Turik said against my skin. “By dawn at the latest.”
“Just be safe,” I begged.
He grunted and withdrew.
From the safety of Vorx’s arms, I watched Turik leave with Drav. The sound of the door closing behind the pair felt like a hammer to my heart, and I clutched Vorx’s forearm covering my waist.
Vorx had barely limped his way home a few days ago. What if the same thing or worse happened to Turik?
“You are worrying again,” Vorx said. “Tell me what you fear so I can help.”
“That he’s going to get hurt and both of you are going to be held together with thread.”
