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“Valarian told me what those pills are you’re taking.”
I say nothing and look at the ceiling. That kid is far too observant for his age; he’s like a sponge, absorbing everything he sees and hears.
“Why did you take them? Valarian said for pain, but I’m not sleeping with anyone. Are you addicted to them?”
Did he seriously just ask me that? I haven’t got time to scratch my ass half the time, let alone have an addiction on top of my never-ending responsibilities.
“I’m not addicted to them,” I answer.
“Are you sure? We can get you help? I’m not judging if you are.”
“Valen, I am not addicted to them; I don’t take them all the time, only when you… well… you know. And lately, when I see you.”
“What do you mean?”
“The bond...” I trail off. I don’t want to give him more reason to be around or use it as an excuse.
“Are you going to finish what you were going to say?”
I rub a hand down my face. “When I see you, it’s worse than when I don’t. The bond recognizes you, tells me to claim you, so you can’t be with them.”
“But you have claimed me now, Everly,”
“Yes, and now the urge to be near you is even worse, and it hasn’t even been 24 hours.” My tone comes out harsher than I intended. But thinking the words and saying them are vastly different. Saying them makes anger burn in me at how weak I sound. I’m not weak.
“And that’s it? That’s the only reason?”
“Yes, Valen. I am not addicted to my pills. You don’t–” I break off with a squeak when he moves and grabs me, rolling me as he slides his arm under my head and pulls me closer.
His scent invades my nostrils before I feel him rest his chin on my head. I inhale his scent. The dull ache is instantly stamped down, and I feel my body relax, almost going utterly limp in his arms. I press my nose into the base of his throat. His stubble brushes my forehead, and a rather embarrassing noise leaves my lips that almost resembles a purring moan.
“Better?” he asks, and I freeze, mid-sniff. He chuckles, his chest rumbling, and I go to pull my face from his neck. He growls.
“I asked if it was better; didn’t ask you to move, Everly,” he whispers, tugging me closer. As soon as he starts purring, I fall asleep within seconds, the sound lulling my waking mind into blissful contentment.
* * *
Valen
I get up to the sounds of Zoe getting the kids ready for school. I went to sit up and slide out from under Everly when Valarian comes bounding into the room excitedly. Zoe is hot on his heels as she tries to stop him.
“Valarian, no! Mommy is sleeping,” Zoe whisper-yells, but it’s too late; the door smacks into the wall with a loud bang. Everly, however, doesn’t wake up. I twist out from under her, and Valarian, seeing me moving, races over while Zoe blinks at me.
“You’re in bed; I thought you left.”
“Very observant, and yes, I’m still here,” I tell her as Valarian climbs in my lap before I even have a chance to get up.
“Are you taking me to school?”
I look over at Everly, still passed out, as she moves closer in her sleep, burying her face in the pillow I was using.
“No, Valarian. Your father isn’t dressed, and we’re running late,” Zoe says, coming over and plucking him off my lap. I glance at the clock on the bedside table, and so does Valarian; he would be nearly an hour early.
“We don’t need to leave until it says eight three zero, Auntie Zo’,” he says, his brows furrowing.
“We’ll be late to get breakfast from McDonald’s on the way if we don’t leave now,” she says, hauling him out. Zoe winks at me, and I scrub a hand down my face, trying to wake up.
“Zoe.”
