Page 28 of Mercy & Her Devils

Millie’s eyes light up, before she scrambles back to her blanket against the far wall. “Puck monster story too?”

Lark winces, and an expression that I don’t understand flashes across his face. “Again? Okay, for the one millionth and one time, I’ll tell you the story of the Omega hockey mascot who escaped and got her happily ever after.”

There’s a happiness there but also, a great sadness too.

“Us escape?” Millie asks.

Lark’s expression crumples for a moment, before he forces on a fake smile. “Sure, we’ll escape. Just not yet.”

He casts me an impressive glare like he’s daring me to contradict him.

I don’t.

Thomas excitedly told me about the Omega Reject, who’d been trained in the Institute but ended up defying society to become an ice hockey mascot and then bond with the elite Blades NHL pack.

It’s been an inspiration to Omegas everywhere.

Fletcher and Dad, on the other hand, were furious about it.

Yet Lark was thrown out of that pack somehow, and he definitely hasn’t got his happily ever after.

I dreamed of fairy tales once too, but they’re just the stories that we tell kids.

Or tell ourselves as kids.

It’s more important to live in the real world and write stories that change it.

Lark pulls himself to stand, and my skin tingles at the awareness of how tall he is.

He attempts to smooth out his shirt and waistcoat like that can somehow make them clean.

Lark strolls across the cell, as if he’s entertaining in a mansion (and I haven’t just caught him playacting a bear). “Back with us properly then, cupcake?”

I grimace.

“Why are you calling me cupcake?” My voice is raspy from misuse.

“Well, I don’t know your real name, and I decided not to go with Millie’s choice of Glitter Wiggle Doggy.”

“Ehm, what?”

Lark’s eyes are twinkling with amusement. “It’s…was…her favorite toy. You should be honored. But then, you smell so delicious, all sweet, rich, and—”

“Don’t say moist.”

This startles a laugh from Lark. I love that I’ve made him sound like that.

“I wouldn’t dare. But your scent is like Devil’s chocolate cake. I should warn you that it’s my favorite, and Millie’s debated the benefits of eating you for the last week. I’m afraid that I have found her licking you. It’s your fault for being so lickable…”

We both blush at the same time, as he appears to realize what he’s said.

His ears turn red at their tips.

“Why Daddy red?” Millie helpfully (really not helpfully) points out.

Lark turns a deeper shade of scarlet. “I’m not.”

“Bad to lie.” Millie wags her finger at him. “Daddy likes pretty lady. My new mommy.”

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