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THIRTY-THREE
VEX
We were back in my nest’s bathroom.
Ebony was tense, pulling out a med kit and trying to be neutral as he examined the bite on my wrist.
There was a knock, and Ebony went to answer it.
“It’s Drake,” he said, returning to me. “Do you want to see him?”
I nodded, then paused, looking down at the angry wound across my wrist. It made my stomach turn every time I saw it, and I had to shove away the memory of the cruel look in Cerus’s eyes as he’d done it. “It’s okay.” My voice was rough. “He can come in.”
I heard Ebony say something under his breath, and then Drake stepped in, clearly trying to measure his expression as he crossed to me.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice tight.
I lifted my hand to him, but he was already tugging me into a hug.
I inhaled blackcurrant wine, my heart already settling.
Ebony finished cleaning the bite and wrapped it up completely. Then he readjusted Prey and Havoc’s friendship bracelet over top.
“Do you want to go on a walk or something?” Drake asked. “Get some space.”
I nodded. “I’d like that.” Space sounded good. I knew Love and Rook would be upset when they heard about what had happened—inevitable, since there was a bandage wrapped around my wrist now—but I wasn’t ready yet.
Drake was always safe, though.
We walked down to the little creek in silence.
“Are you okay?”
“I think so.” I squeezed his hand. “Holding on.” I swallowed. “Rook’s setting up the date tonight. He was so excited.”
“You can wait, I know he’d understand—”
“No.” I cut him off. “I want it.”
No.
This part with Rook, I hadn’t had it yet, not like I had with Drake. I wouldn’t give Zeus that.
“Okay, well. Why don’t I talk to him—tell him he’s not allowed to say a thing about it? If that’s what you want.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder with a smile. “RookandLove?”
“I can do that,” he said.
I shut my eyes, letting him lead us down the path for a little while.
Leaves rustled, and I could hear the faint trickling of a stream in the distance. I inhaled the petrichor in the air from the sprinkle of rain overnight. It tangled with the earthy scent of trees and soil.
“You always hold on,” he said into the quiet afternoon. “It’s the strongest thing I’ve ever seen.”
I swallowed, squeezing my eyes shut harder. “I don’t have a choice.”
“No. You… youdo.”
