Page 61 of Their Offering

I should have been sad, right? I didn’t feel sad at all. I felt like my life was finally getting started. I felt full and happy and excited. I was going to make a life here, with the princes.

“Lillian,” Keir spoke softly. When I emerged from my thoughts, I noticed he hadn’t let go of my hand, instead holding it between both of his. I was frozen as I stared at the place our skin touched, electricity zapping between us.

When I lifted my face to look at him, my breath hitched. He looked at me so tenderly, I felt like I was melting into him. I’d never imagined he’d look at me like this. I licked my lips, and his eyes dropped to the movement. Fuck me. I wanted him to kiss meso badly.

I want to.His voice.

Then do it,I half-demanded. I didn’t want to play games with him anymore.

I can’t…I can’t do that to you. I’m sorry.

All I could do was stare at him. I had no words. He was always going to deny me, deny himself. I wanted him, and I was 99% sure he wanted me too.

Someone cleared their throat, and Keir dropped my hand as we stepped away from each other quickly. I felt embarrassed, like I’d just been caught doing something naughty.I wish.

“So, Keir…” Aiden started.

“No,” he snapped back. “Don’t”

“But it’s obvious you…” Nicholas shook his hand between us.

“I said no. I won’t. It can’t happen, so drop it. Now.” I cocked an eyebrow at him, and he shook his head. I knew he didn’t want me to push, so I stayed quiet. He was closed off. That wall was back up. I couldn’t get through to him.

“Your loss, Keir.” Aiden looked annoyed with him.

“So, what now?” Everyone looked at me as I finally spoke.

“Now, we go home.” Keir gestured toward a line of buildings I hadn’t noticed before.

It was bright in Hell, unlike when Keir had brought me. There was no sun, though. Instead, the sky seemed to have a red, fire-like haze.

The brothers headed down a path through the trees, and I followed. “Are we walking the whole way?” I pointed toward the city line, which looked quite a distance away.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Keir mumbled under his breath.

I rolled my eyes but chose to not engage. I didn’t want to ruin what little progress we’d made. He already felt so distant from just moments before.

Nicholas laced his fingers in mine. “We need to keep you a secret. There arevery fewpeople we trust with the knowledge of your existence.”

Aiden grabbed my other hand. “Right now, we just need to get you to the flat with as few people knowing as possible. Then we can decide what to do next.” He kissed my hand and smiled.

“Wait… so I’m going to basically be stuck in your flat for the rest of my life? That’s not what I signed up f––”

“Don’t worry, it’s temporary.” Nicholas squeezed my hand, ignoring Keir’s pointed glare. “Wewillfigure something out. Youwillhave a life here, okay?”

I nodded. I didn’t speak because I was already having a hard time breathing due to being halfway up a steep hill.

The rest of the agonizing walk was silent; the twins held my hands as Keir led the way, never looking back.

I didn’t feel like I was in a totally different world when we reached the city. There were cars, buildings, people walking around, as if there was no difference between Earth and Hell.

“It looks so normal.” I laughed incredulously as I took in my new home.

Keir was giving me a disbelieving look. “Well, Lillian, we demons are capable of more than wreaking havoc.” His tone was playful, but it felt forced, like he was trying to tease me without blowing his tough guy cover.

“Clearly,” I said with a wink as I dropped the twins’ hands and gestured to the beautiful city.

I caught Aiden staring at me like I was his next meal. “What?” Heat was already rushing to my cheeks.

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