Page 29 of First Ritual

“It sure seems to seeing as you’re sitting beside me while having the cryptic conversation.”

Wild pressed his lips together.

I circled my finger around the rim of my glass. “But I’m feeling merciful tonight. What’s the word you wanted to tell me?”

He swiped my glass away, and I glowered as he took a sip. His brows rose in surprise, and I couldn’t help the bolt of pride I felt at his reaction. My drink of choice was seriously underrated.

“Not as bad as it looks,” he grunted.

My brows drew together. “Better than that cinnamon shit you were drinking the other night,” I grumbled.

Wild shot a look at Rooke. At his regard, she snapped her mouth shut and started cleaning frantically.

Definitely a stress cleaner.

“The word, Wild. What is it?”

“I wanted to check you were okay,” he said gruffly. “After this morning.”

He. Wanted to. Check. I was okay.

“I would have preferred to know about Caves before making a life-altering choice to join this coven.”

His fingers curled into a fist on the counter. “Will you remain in the coven?”

Was I seeing things right now? I had to be. Because there was no valid reason Wild would appear tense over me leaving. Well, except for missing his chance at my hot bod. Which, I mean, duh. “No idea. This isn’t what I signed up for.”

Dark eyes found me, and my heart skipped a beat as I began to drown.

I tore my gaze from his, breath hitching.

He lowered his voice. “No, you signed up for… what was it? To do something really stupid? That’s what you said before you kissed me like it was your last breath.”

That’s what I’d said. Fuck. Really not ideal.

Time to go on the offensive.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “Last time I saw you, you were out of it.” The magus leaned back, and my chest lost some of its tightness. “Clenched jaw,” I continued. “Terse words. A few growls. You ran away without coming inside Varden’s room too. Does that have something to do with the cryptic conversation you just had with Sven?”

Instead of leaving, he smiled.

“What?” I asked warily.

“You just got defensive.”

“Same to you.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re hiding something.”

“Ditto.” I shook my head. “If you only came here to inquire how I was, then as I said, I’m good. I’ve got a decision to make. You can leave.”

Rooke swore under her breath and started scrubbing at the same spot. I leaned over to grab the cloth from her.

Oh shit!

I toppled sideways.

Wild whipped out an arm to right me on the stool.

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