“If you say so.”
“I do.” He closed his eyes, relaxing onto the pillow while he stuffed his mouth. “I could get used to this.”
“So why don’t you?”
“Because I’m terrified if I do, you’ll leave me.”
“Well you’re stuck with me now. I need my bodyguards to save the world from me. And if you don’t mess up in a really horrifying, tremendous, stupid way, you might be stuck with me for a while after that.”
Lysander laughed and laid his free hand in the small of her back, his thumb rubbing over the ridges of her spine. “I hope I never fuck up like that.”
“Or maybe you’ll get tired of me and ask me to leave.”
“I’m not sure that could ever be the case.”
“You haven’t seen my endless TBR.”
“TBR?”
“To be read list.”
He laughed again, the light chuckle made his skin vibrate against hers. “I’m sure Varos and Marcus will gladly take you shopping so I can step back.”
“I’m sure they would.”
Lysander finished his platter and dozed off again, his hand falling from her back as he entered deep sleep. She stayed in his arms all day, making sure he ate during the little time he was awake. Only when the sun was retreating did he stand up for the first time, seeking out the shower.
“Go,” he ushered her out of his room. “Feed, change, and make sure the other two are still sane after not seeing you all day.”
“Only if you promise not to faint in the shower.”
“If you don’t see me in the next thirty minutes you may check on me.”
“Fine,” she sighed, leaving the room.
She took a detour to change her clothes before seeking out Marcus and Varos. She found them sitting in the library with a glass already waiting for her. Marcus set his tablet aside and patted his thigh, demanding she sit down. She obeyed, but not before giving Varos a kiss on the cheek.
“I see you are still sane,” she laughed, knowing they’d probably overheard.
“Barely made it through the day,” Marcus muttered, burying his face in her hair and taking a deep breath. Though he didn’t need the air, it seemed as if he’d been starved of oxygen. “But it made you happy, so I can live a day without you.”
“Very kind of you.”
Varos rolled his eyes, masking his own comfort at her return. “I think it made both of you feel more at ease.”
“So, we hear you have a list of books you wish to own. Care to share?”
“Not yet.”
“When will you feel ready to share with us?” Marcus pushed.
“I like going to bookstores, so whenever I don’t feel the need to eradicate every living being in a mile’s radius, I might consider it so I can come along.”
Marcus frowned, but Varos grinned at her. “Something to look forward to. I do like the idea of showing you off.”
“Showing me off?”
“Yes, spoiling you in front of others, holding your hand and stealing a few kisses so others know you belong to us.”