Page 41 of Cold Heir

Mostly, I was concerned with how Julian might feel seeing it. I think he guessed as much when my gaze immediately flashed toward him as I was released from Levi’s grasp.

A warm smile touched Julian’s lips. He’d been kind to me before I even had the sense to realize it was genuine, and now, as I imagined the depth of my bond with Levi became apparent, that kindness showed through again.

“You can relax,” Julian assured with a quiet laugh, one filled only with confidence and understanding. “There’s no jealousy here.”

Studying his expression for a while, I thought I’d eventually see through him, to the green-eyed monster who, in most cases, would rear its ugly head, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Levi took his Dynasty Brother’s statement as an invitation, lessening the distance between he and I even more when he scooted closer on the bed, until we were hip-to-hip.

“Zero jealousy,” he reiterated with a whisper against the rim of my ear. “So long as you’re satisfied,we’resatisfied.”

That struck me as an interesting word choice, although it shouldn’t have, coming from Levi.

No breath left my lungs as he cupped my chin and turned my lips to meet his. He kissed them with that familiar, soft sensuality that had taken me by surprise before. My eyes fluttered closed at the feel of it, as I gave myself permission not to overthink things so much tonight. After all,theycertainly weren’t.

His suddenly warm lips trailed my jaw, settling against the hollow of my throat next. My pulse went wild, soaring through the roof. I don’t know what turned me on more, the fact that he was always so bold to go after what he wanted, or that knowing I’d be with themallstill wasn’t a bone of contention among the princes. They were simply self-assured, accepting of this unique bond between us.

“You’re ours,” Levi spoke against my mouth, stealing one last taste. “Always will be.”

For some unknown reason, my gaze was drawn to Silas at that exact moment, and that intense gaze of his was nearly impossible to withstand. Yes, he stared, but not at the act itself, only at me. Only intrigued by my visible reaction to being touched. There was just something about him that made the distance between us maddening. I took that as a sign that something between us had to give. Andsoon.A valve had to be tweaked to release some of the pressure, or it would explode, and I’d leap on him like a wild woman.

That was a promise.

Shifting focus to Levi again, I realized the wine was beginning to make me feel a bit tipsy, though I was still sober enough to own my actions.

“You’re wrong,” I pointed out to Levi. “You mentioned that I belong toallof you, but that’s not entirely true. Not yet,at least.”

My gaze rose to meet Silas’ again, only to find that his stare was already locked on me. At first, Levi’s mouth continued to move against my skin, but once he decoded my obscure statement, he leaned away with a grin, letting his gaze volley between Silas and I for a moment.

“Interesting play,” he crooned, in that dark way of his.

“I only mean I think it’s time Silas and I have a word with one another,” I clarified, but Levi wasn’t buying it. His mind was in the gutter now just like always.

“Hey, don’t waste time explaining yourself to me, Love. However, I wouldn’t complain about getting the play-by-play in the morning,” he teased, gesturing toward Julian to follow him when he stood from the bed, preparing to leave. “We’ll make ourselves scarce for a bit,” he promised in an amused tone, patting Silas on the shoulder when he passed him.

Laughing, I could only shake my head at how he could never seem to turn off the crassness. As he and Julian reached the door, closing it behind them, a curious gaze passed my way from Silas.

Now, if only I knew how to explain why I singled him out so urgently. A task that would be much,mucheasier if I understood it better myself.

Chapter Fourteen

Corina

“I-I hope that didn’t seem too forward of me, asking to speak to you alone.” Yes, this beautiful creature had me fumbling over such simple words. “I only meant I think we should get better acquainted. And …notin a Levi-esque sort of way,” I laughed, knowing he’d understand the reference. “I mean it in more of a ‘you seem really cool and I want to know more about you’sort of way.”

Oh, gosh. Is my face turning red? Because it feels red.

“I’d like that.” He smiled and, kill me now, my heart fluttered. “Anything you want to know, just ask.”

Silas was special, and the genuine kindness that naturally exuded from him was something I was certain I’d never get used to so easily. In a good way. I’d never get tired of the care he took with my feelings; would never tire of the way he gave me butterflies like the girls in Mom’s romance books went on about for pages.

“To start,” I forced out,” I don’t know about your family, what sort of home you come from.”

Right away, I worried he might not think it was my place to ask. Only, the warm look within his eyes said otherwise.

“Well, my childhood was relatively boring,” he answered with a smile. “I was your typical kid mostly, aside from growing up in the shadow of my Quadrant’s beloved emperor.”

There was no resentment or ill feelings within the statement. He said it as though he was merely stating a fact.

“The lack of interest in me, personally, gave me the space and privacy I preferred. It left me a lot of time to read and lose myself in my studies. And with my parents being so busy, once I turned fifteen and developed an interest in exotic travel destinations, my requests to venture off to faraway places were rarely turned down. I suppose that, to them, it helped keep me busy, and helped them not feel guilty about not having much time for me. I know traveling the world sounds like some wild, crazy adventure,” he added with a laugh, “yet, it was one-hundred-percent for research—archeological digs, collecting various samples, and exploring uncharted territories.”

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