Page 18 of Of Daggers and Deceit

And me?

I was the only Gifted in the entirety of the Haven. There was no other like me, and therefore, I didn’t fit anywhere, no matter how desperately I wanted it.

RILEY

I’d lied to Sly when I’d told him tomorrow. I wasn’t stupid, and I didn’t like to be treated as such. There were few if any who could be trusted in this city, and he was nowhere near a consideration of mine, not when he was the Commander of the guard. I was content to leave that interaction with him as simply a moment in time where he’d been helpful, and I’d appreciated it.

“What are you reading?”

Surprisingly, Zander had returned home earlier than expected today, making me believe Sly’s absurd, though entertaining, behaviour the other night had truly been a test.

My fingers turned the page of the book I was meant to be reading but hadn’t been due to the constant questioning that had been going on in my mind for the better part of the day. I’d read the same sentence on this page at least fifty times, and still, I’d need to read it once more to get back on track. Damn these mind games. But then again, maybe I was overthinking it.

“It’s Sila’s latest novel. A tragedy, but the writing is excellent.” I lied because I had been sitting here for so long, and I didn’t want to admit I’d been lost in thought. I didn’t want to be asked about it; otherwise, I’d have to come up with another lie.

“What is it about, my love?” he asked as he got up from his seat at the dining table, perusing documents likely detailing new plans for the development of our fishing system near the cliffs, a new project he’d decided to disclose to me the other day, though it ranked low on my significance scale considering the deadly time of year.

The lounge dipped beside me when he sat, and he pulled me in closer to him as he usually did, tucking his nose into the crook of my neck before nudging my jaw with his nose and kissing my cheek. His soft hands fell to my shoulders and began to knead them.

“You’re so tense, my Rose. I would rather you read books that encourage you to relax,” he laughed.

I rolled my shoulders back, noticing how rigid my body was, with my back upright and my arms locked. It took some effort to forcibly soften my face following his observation, inhaling a long, tired breath as I fell into his embrace.

This was, at the very least, pleasant, though I still felt hurt from last night after he’d promised we would get a night to ourselves but failed to meet that promise.

My thoughts briefly fell to the playful, idiotic, but oddly captivating guard before I tried to bat them away. Sly was not my problem. Zander had not mentioned anything, nor had he been observing me closely as he sometimes did, but I couldn’t be sure, especially when it felt like a test of loyalty.

“So will you tell me what your book is about and why it’s causing you to be so tense?” Zander asked before his lips wrapped around the lobe of my ear, sucking it.

My head tipped down, his touch tickling my skin, and he huffed out a small laugh.

“It’s a story of love and loss. Two Omegas who fall in love during the war, only for one to be kidnapped by a Dominant, separating them. It then follows their respective journeys and ends when, years later, the Omega who wasn’t kidnapped finds out his lover had died. It is heartbreaking.” Also a warning for our city just as much as it is a reminder of what lies beyond the shield for us.

Death.

Grief.

“Silas is an authentic writer. It is devastating. Was devasting,” he corrected as he kissed the corner of my cheek. “But we should be grateful that we get to live in the Haven, protected for the most part, safe. Where we get to enjoy our lives and choose who we love.”

His fingers touched the base of my chin, and I turned my head towards him, his eyes ensnaring mine before he gently pressed his lips to mine. “I am certainly grateful for the life I now have.”

As he pulled away, I chased his lips, my hand moving into his hair. He always knew what to say to make me feel better, and I was grateful for what he provided me and the time we had spent together. His tongue slid into my mouth, warm and comforting as he pulled me further onto his lap.

Then, the elevator dinged, and he quickly pulled away with a sigh.

My shoulders sagged, the moment gone before it began.

I was beginning to resent that stupid elevator and its wretched sound. I didn’t like how what should have been our private sanctuary was so easily accessed.

“Supreme,” the guard addressed Zander respectfully, his head dipped towards the floor.

Zander’s lips neared my ear as he whispered, “I’m sorry, my love, I forgot I had requested an update on the Outer Ring at this time.”

I nodded my head despite my disappointment. I would simply have to get used to this.

Zander turned towards the guard, who took it as an invitation to continue.

“The Outer Ring is settled and operational as is usual. All goods have been delivered for the week, and money drops have been completed. The two criminals are serving their punishments as planned…” he communicated before pausing and trailing off. My curiosity was piqued.

---