Page 94 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“Do not feel guilty for having an opinion. They are like asses, we all have one,” I said with a smile, walking over and hugging around his waist. A comfort for the both of us, I realized when he hugged me back with a raspy chuckle.

This made sense of the hatred Henry had seemed to feel when we first met. It seemed instant back then, as if he had merely been waiting for my arrival to dislike me. He had shoved me against a wall after all. Though, I had also invaded his mind, in his defense.

“I cannot tell you any more, Ash. You have to let Bellamy do it. I was mad too, in the beginning. He had been right though, and I should have listened. I do not blame him for the way he feels. There was far more disrespect on my end than you saw, and my apology perhaps was not enough,” he said, placing a warm kiss to the top of my head.

Strange as it was that I somehow had grown to love these beings I knew for only a couple of months, it would be impossible to ever deny. They were meant to be mine, all of them. I leaned back, smiling up at the orange-haired demon who had been such a wonderful constant in this hectic adventure.

Before I could respond, Henry was thrown back, body crashing onto the ground with a loud thump that made me wince. I turned, readying to fight whoever—or whatever—had just attacked. But it was no enemy stalking into the tent.

Nothing could have prepared me for the red-hot rage that radiated off of Bellamy in heavy waves as he walked up to me.

What a ridiculous display. I thought I was dramatic.

“Okay alpha-male, back it up a few feet,” I said, pressing my hand against Bellamy’s chest. He merely looked past me, glaring daggers at Henry, who was standing with a groan. I gestured between them as I said, “This little feud is over. You will stop acting like younglings and apologize, the both of you.”

Bellamy finally looked at me, mouth agape. I placed my hands on my hips, glaring right back, daring him to argue. The demon prince snapped his mouth shut, crossing his arms with a pointed hmph and looking at the ground. A quick look back at Henry showed a nearly identical expression and stance. Males were so fatuous.

My hands moved up, cupping either side of Bellamy’s face. I saw it there, though he had closed off his emotions from me—the hurt. He was scared and confused, possibly even jealous. Not unreasonable feelings. Actions were the problem.

“Forever is far too long to feel this way, Bell. I am sure a part of your anger comes from what you just heard, and that we can talk about later.” I looked back at Henry, offering him a hand and pulling him towards us. He let out an impressive sigh, as if he was the one forced in the middle of a pissing match. “Now if you two do not make up and kiss, then I will likely beat the daylights out of you both.”

Soon we would part ways, and there was no guarantee that this supposed danger would not claim any of our lives. He would need to find peace with Henry, whether he thought it necessary or not. I waved a hand at them, annoyed by their standoffish expressions and stances.

Stepping out into the light was jarring, the sun so bright it reflected off of the snow and burned my eyes. After blinking a few times, they adjusted, and I was able to see Winona, Ranbir, Cyprus, Noe, and Lian sitting around a fire, each of them nursing a cup as they talked and laughed.

I smiled to myself, feeling far lighter than I had in a long time.

Perhaps it was the relief of finally accepting my feelings for Bellamy, or maybe I needed to fully fall apart and hit rock bottom so I could begin clawing my way back up. Either way, my soul felt similar to the morning sun, brighter than it had been before.

Now, I had purpose. A reason to push on.

I would fight this war, hopefully winning it before it could start. I would stop Mia and Xavier, and I would rule Betovere. No one but I knew it, but I would make great change. Sipho had dreamed of a Fae Realm where we could be together, and though he would never see it, I would make that happen. For him, for me, for all the fae who suffered because of it.

Sitting between Cyprus and Lian, I listened in as the group bantered. As they always seemed to do. From across the way, Winona cut off the conversation.

“Asher, what have you done to your hair? It looks like a bird nest!” she exclaimed, the hurt in her voice likely not faked.

She got up and rushed over to me, her green hair looking stunning as it sat in two coils atop her head. She had on a purple top with long, billowing sleeves that cut low and showed her ample cleavage. It ended at her waist in the front, but pooled down to her calves in the back, like a cape of sorts. Around her midsection was a stunning black corset made of lace, which matched her black leather pants and boots.

Seeing her reminded me that I was still in Bellamy’s top, and I realized it could not be more obvious what happened with my hair. She did not mention it, but Noe and Lian snickered as if they knew exactly what led to my hair becoming such a mess.

Winona combed through my ‘bird nest’ with a feather light touch. When she finished she began styling it for me, twisting my waves into gorgeous coils and braids.

During our journey I discovered that she regularly did the others’ hair, including trims. Bellamy and Henry both enjoyed a clean shave, and the Sun was more than happy to oblige. Her love for doing my own hair brought a smile to my face, and I quickly reached up to tap her in thanks.

“Well, as I was saying before Ash so rudely interrupted us with her post-fuck walk,” Noe said, smirking at me from beside a wide-eyed Ranbir. I scoffed, but did not argue. She was right after all. “I think that we need to vote now before Bellamy and Henry come back.”

I quirked a brow, looking between the group. Lian nodded casually, as if either way was okay with her. Cyprus seemed to be thinking over Noe’s suggestion rather seriously. Ranbir rolled his eyes, standing and swiping another cup off the ground. He headed to me, giving me the cup of his famous chai. My mouth watered at the heat and spices.

“Thank you, Ranbir. You are too kind, as always,” I said, smiling up at him.

He returned the gesture, leaning towards me and placing a hand on my cheek. The sting of his power hit me, but soon the aches in my body were easing. The tension that had built seeped from me.

“Drink up. It will help with energy and aid in lowering your blood pressure,” he said. I took a sip, ignoring the burn as the flavor enveloped my senses. Ranbir always made such incredible tea. “I would also say that it is an anti-inflammatory, but you once claimed a good orgasm was too, and by the look of you, I imagine you have that covered.”

I nearly spit out the liquid at his words. Winona burst into laughter, a melodic sound that brought a smile to Ranbir’s face. The kind of smile only your soulmate could bring out of you.

“Ranbir, did you just make a dirty joke?” I asked, full of pleasant surprise.

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