Page 31 of Masked Fate

“How does that feel?” she asks, stretching my arm to test it.

“As good as new. Thank you,” I say, resting my hand on hers.

“You’re welcome. We need to talk about this tomorrow.” She plants a soft kiss on my temple and heads back to bed.

Soren studies me for a few silent moments before he turns to leave. He pauses at the door, his hand gripping the frame.

“You are safe here, witch.”

The tone in which he says ‘witch’ seems gentler this time.

Or maybe I’mthattired.

“Stay,” I plead, my voice a gentle whisper. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

He hesitates, then climbs into bed with me and stays on top of the sheet.

I don’t care.

He’s here with me in my moment of weakness.

He’s here when I need him.

Even if it’s just for tonight.

Slowly, I move closer to his deathly still body. He doesn’t say anything or push me away, so I shift to his side, burying my face into his chest.

He doesn’t move.

He doesn’t breathe.

I’m about to move away when his arm comes around to hold me.

Only then does slumber take me.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Soren

As I sit opposite Pandora over breakfast, I feel a strange, unsettled feeling in my chest when I look at her. She avoids my gaze, but I don’t like how vulnerable she still looks, the same way she looked last night. Her shoulders are hunched like she carries the weight of the world, her usual spark dimmed.

And I don’t fucking like it.

What is going on with me?

When she asked me to stay last night, I knew I shouldn’t. But she was scared and didn’t want to be alone, so I held her all night. I left the room before she woke up this morning.

“What exactly happened last night?” I ask, bringing all eyes to me. “We need the details.”

Rave and Astrid share a look, and Pandora puts her fork down with a loud clang that echoes through the dining hall.

“Nothing that concerns you,” she replies in a clipped tone.

She’s right, but for some reason, I can’t help myself. “Considering I’m usually sent to protect you, I think it is,” I reply, leaning back in my chair. “Not to mention, I was the one who found you wandering down the hallway last night and got Astrid to heal you.”

She studies me, a contemplative look on her face. “My sister tried to kill me.Again. Happy? Maybe the two of you can find some common ground in wanting me gone.”

The room is uncomfortably silent for a few long seconds.

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