Page 34 of Veiled Yearning

Cait mentioned it the other day, dropping it into conversation with a small side-eye at me. “Gavril’s never shown any real interest in a woman. That’s what Frederick said. He was betrayed a long time ago, and ever since, he’s dedicated himself to the Sentinels. Of course, there have been… you know—” Her cheeks went pink. “But serious? Never.”

We were sitting by the fire, sorting through piles of stones Gavril had found on his property, sipping blood-laced wine while we searched for the right sizes to use for imbuing—small enough to go in your pocket, not so small it’s easy to lose. After she said that, I raised my eyebrows at her. “And you’re telling me this, why?”

“Just saying,” she replied, giving me an innocent look. “Gavril doesn’t spend hours talking and watching movies with women. Until now. In case you were interested.”

At that point, my own face went hot, and I took a big slug of wine and pretended to swallow it wrong so I wouldn’t have to answer.

If I had told Cait the truth? I’m more interested than I want to admit.

That’s because every day, once I’m done with my work, I spend the evening with Gavril. He comes to find me in the solarium, which I’ve set up as my new workstation, and he gently but firmly tells me it’s time to stop for the day. The first time, I resisted, but he just took my hand and tugged me out of the room, saying, “No. I found a new fantasy movie on Netflix, and you’re watching it with me. Please don’t argue.”

I didn’t. Not that day, or the next, or the rest of the week.

I thought I’d feel guilty, leaving my work to go spend time with Gavril, doing things that are very much not Sentinel business. Watching a new fantasy series, sitting by the fire and talking while we share a bottle of wine, or last night, playing Trivial Pursuit together. But then Gavril comes to find me, his gaze sweeping across my face, assessing, asking kindly, “Are you feeling okay? Do you need some blood? Maybe you should stop sooner tomorrow,” and all the guilty thoughts go flying out of my head.

My heart does a little flutter when he takes my hand, my chest goes tight, and I get this melty feeling inside for a second.

It’s just friendly attention. I need to keep reminding myself of that. And it’s been so long since I had anyone taking care of me, it’s natural to feel affection toward Gavril.

That’s all it is. And when this thing with the Custodians is over—oh, please, let it work out in our favor—I’m sure Gavril and I will go our own separate ways.

Except. As Gavril opens the door to the solarium and smiles at me, my heart stutters.

“Chiara.” He always says my name in that same serious, rumbly voice. “How are you doing?”

“Good.” At least, I am now. It’s incredible how my anxiety fades once Gavril is around. And how quickly my mind moves to other things. Like how handsome he looks.

Gavril’s dressed casually—cargo pants and a Henley—and it works for him. The fabric of his shirt strains at his biceps and shoulders, and his pants show off thickly muscled legs. Today, his sleeves are rolled up, exposing golden skin dusted with light brown hair.

His eyes are crinkled up at the corners, shining bright silver, which means he’s pleased. I’ve discovered the color changes along with his mood—a stormy gray when he’s upset or a flinty steel when he’s angry.

A smile softens his stony features, making him look younger. Happier.

He doesn’t smile at anyone else. Not like this. At least, I don’t think so. And every time he does, my foolish heart hopes a little more.

“Are you sure?” Gavril comes to me, reaching out his hand to help me up from the floor. His eyes narrow as he inspects my face. “You’ve been working a long time today. I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier, but Sam called, and he wouldn’t—” He stops with a tiny shake of his head. “Anyway. That’s not important right now. Did you take any breaks? Do you need some blood?”

“Yes, I took a break, and I’m okay.” I brush my thumb across the back of his hand. “And I made something new today.”

The flare of interest in his eyes quickly shifts to concern. “Chiara. You don’t need to do that. I don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.”

“I didn’t.” Much. It’s more tiring to create something I’m not used to making, but I’m not going to tell Gavril that. All week, I’ve been brainstorming new things to imbue, just to keep Gavril safe.

I gesture at the table that’s currently holding all my imbued creations, each item in its own labeled box. “One is a stone that will allow you to slip into the shadows mid-fight. The other is a ceramic disk that you can throw, and when it shatters, it explodes into a blast of blinding light. They take longer to make, since they’re new, but I thought they would help…”

“Ah, Chiara.” He hugs me to him, his powerful arms coming around my body, one hand cupping my head, the other resting mid-back. Which is also something new, this hugging, but once he held me the first time after that dreadful meeting, he just never stopped. “Thank you.” After a few seconds, he pulls back and gazes down at me with a worried expression. “But don’t work too hard. I mean it. I don’t want you making yourself ill.”

“I won’t. But if these can help keep you safe…”

“They can. Everything you make does.” He takes my hand, engulfing it in warmth. “And I can never express how thankful I am. But.” Another smile appears. “For now, let’s focus on other things. Like taking a well-deserved break.”

As we leave the room, Gavril adds, “I found something different for us to do this evening. Something I hope you’ll enjoy.”

“Oh?” I can’t imagine what he came up with. Since I’m hiding from the Custodians, I can’t leave the house, which severely limits the activities I can do. It’s tough being stuck inside; one of the things that usually calms me is walking outside, which I obviously can’t do right now.

“Well.” Uncertainty flickers in his eyes. “You might think it’s a ridiculous idea. But…”

He trails off as we walk into the library, giving me time to take it all in.

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