Page 128 of The Evernight Court

“But what if hedoestry?” Otherwise, why would Sedelis give him that spell to put him to sleep?

Grey thought about it for a second. “I don’t see what for—unless he wants to rule the world.”

I shook my head. “You’re right, I’m begin silly.” Valentine was not the type to want torule the world.I honestly believed he wouldn’t have bothered with it even if he knew hecouldactually do it.

“No, no—you’re right, something feels off. But when we get home, we’ll figure it out,” Grey said, and I appreciated it. I really did, but…

I looked down at the ground. “Grey, I don’t think we should leave here yet.” And maybe it was a crazy, stupid idea, but something told me that Valentine was still on this Isle, and I didn’t want to leave without finding him, without talking to him first.

“You want to stay?” Grey asked, and he most definitely didn’t think it was a good idea.

“I want to search for Valentine. I want to find him, and I want to talk to him,” I said. “I really,reallythink we shouldn’t leave yet.”

Once again, I expected him to tell me that we needed to go back to the Woods as soon as possible, that it wasn’t safe. Obviously not—mutated monsters and a giant white dragon were on this tiny Isle with us. There was no room forsafehere, and I was well aware of that.

But it only took Grey one second to say, “Then we’ll stay.”

I was ready to argue, to try to convince him in any way I could, but then his words registered and I stopped.

“I—oh.”We’ll stay.

“We’ll search for Valentine, and we’ll find him if he’s here.”

I squinted my eyes at him. “Really?” Because that was just so…easy.

“Of course,” he said without missing a beat, and he hadn’t burst out laughing yet.

No way was I going to believe it.

“If you’re planning to put me over your shoulder and fly away with me, I’m warning you—Iwillbite you,” I said because what more could I threaten him with?

Finally, he laughed—I’d caught him by surprise. “Iwillput you over my shoulder and fly away, but not off this Isle. If you want to stay, we’ll stay,” Grey said, and I couldn’t find a hint anywhere on him to suggest that he was just messing with me.

Well, damn.

I cleared my throat. “Okay, then. Good. Very good.”

“Anything you want is yours, my queen. I told you, I’m at your service.” Bringing my hand to his mouth, he kissed my knuckles, grinning mischievously. “That—and I’m not done exploring that cave with you properly yet.”

I rolled my eyes, but heat rushed to my cheeks immediately. “Oh, I see. You’re willing to stay in this place just because you want to fuck me in a cave?” I teased.

“I want to fuck you on every inch of this planet, actually,” he said, leaning down to reach my lips.

“Don’t be naughty, Grey,” I said, but of course, I didn’t move an inch when he kissed me.

“Yes, my queen,” he said, then licked my lips and moved back with that same grin.

I shook my head—why in the world did everything he said and did seem so perfect to me?

“Can we just get going? Let’s search for Valentine. I’m sure we’ll find him in no time.”

“Come here, baby. Let me carry you up.” And he pulled me toward him.

“Aren’t you tired? Maybe we can ride Storm or something.” Even though I’d much rather be in his arms.

“No,” Grey said. “I’m perfectly capable—and you’re mine. Nobody else gets to carry you around while I’m here.” And he took me in his arms right away.

“Good,” I said with a smile, making myself comfortable.

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