Page 155 of Death of a Mortal

I was learning and growing so fast that when Drayce walked through the door on that fourth day, he just stood in the doorway and looked me up and down from where I sat at the dining table.

“Something’s…different,” he said.

I got up from my seat and walked toward where he was planted in the door frame. “Could it be the fact that I’m lifting weights now and growing massive muscles at an alarming rate?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or that my brain is growing in my skull from the vast knowledge I’ve gained since I’ve been here?” He smirked. “No, I don’t think it’s those things, do you? I think what’s different is that we’re no longer flirty strangers butbedmates. I know, it was a shock to me too.”

He finally took a step toward me, trying to hide his amused surprise.

“Forgot to tell me that my new room isyourroom, did you?” I wasn’t exactly mad, just confused at what game he was playing.

“I see you still chose to stay.” He looked around at the dirty plates and pans in the sink from the breakfast I’d made myself. “And made yourself at home.”

I blushed a little at that. “I just…haven’t ever had so much stuff to cook with. And I love cooking.”

“I tell you what then, I’ll keep the kitchen full of all the food you could desireandsleep on the couch, which was my plan anyway, in exchange for just one thing.”

It was my turn to raise an inquisitive brow. “I’m listening.”

“You cook for two. And we eat together when I’m here.”

I felt like I was playing with fire, and not the kind that I now had complete control over. No, this felt like the dangerous kind that would burn and scar.

I crossed my arms, giving myself time to be sure. “Fine.”

He huffed a laugh, making me melt just a little inside at how beautiful he looked when he laughed. “Deal. I need to debrief with the rest of the captains. Since I’ll likely be back late tonight, let’s plan for dinner tomorrow.”

With a smile, he turned and left. I couldn’t help but feel like I was playing right into his hand, losing at whatever game we were playing.

Maybe I was okay with losing. Perhaps I wanted to.

No. Absolutely not. I had to protect my heart.

“He’s not so bad, Naci. Trusting people here wouldn’t kill you,” Noxie said.

“Trusting people got Nella killed, which is far worse.” I wasn’t sure if I was convincing myself, or Noxie of that.

* * *

Many hours later,I laid awake in bed, unable to fall asleep. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but I was mostly waiting forDrayce to return. Thoughts of him and me living under the same roof weren’t helping either.

Just as I’d let my mind wander to deliciously inappropriate places, I heard the front door open and close. I sat up in bed, debating whether I should go out and see him, but by the time I slipped out of bed and reached for the door handle, I heard the front door open again, followed by a hushed voice.

I pressed my ear to the closed bedroom door and listened hard, even my fae hearing barely able to make out the words that seemed to be coming from Kaelor.

“Final casualty report?” Drayce asked in an equally low voice.

“Our soldiers, only the three: a light bender, a lightning wielder, and the bear vey.”

My heart dropped. Three rebel soldiers were dead from whatever mission Drayce had been on.

“And what about the local civilians?”

Kaelor paused before answering Drayce. “All targets neutralized. Four mortals perished in the fight. The townsfolk saw to it that they were properly buried and mourned.”

Mortals died because of these missions? I felt my pulse quicken as rage tainted the sadness in my heart. What was the point in protecting the world from mortal-murdering kings if the mortals died in the process?

Just like Nella and the other servants had in the castle, dead by Caedryn’s hand, but as retaliation for the rebellion attacking the ball. This thought brought angry shadows to my hands.

When Kaelor left, I threw the bedroom door open and stalked toward a shocked-looking Drayce.